The Inverell Times, Fri 13 Feb 1914 ¹

QUARTER SESSIONS.
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(Before Acting-Judge Hamilton.)

    The Quarter Sessions were opened in Inverell on Thursday morning by his Honor Acting-Judge Hamilton. The criminal calendar was not a heavy one, and all cases (excepting the Bonshaw shooting affair, in which the jurors, not being able to agree, were locked up for the night) were disposed of. Mr JR Brown prosecuted for the Crown. Other barristers attending were Messrs Cohen and Addison.

BESTIALITY.

    The first case called was that of a youth, [Francis Elzear Parker], ² charged as above. Accused was found guilty, and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment with hard labor. Prisoner was defended by Mr Avern, of Messrs Avern and McIntyre.
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NOTES AND COMMENTS.
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WONDERS OF WIRELESS.

    Some extraordinary experiments have recently been carried out in the wireless electrical field, such as effecting the explosion of powder and other combustible materials over comparatively long distances. The most startling theory regarding the possibilities of its destructive powers, however, is that just advanced by M Buroquier, the well known French electrician. He declares that he has reason to believe that wireless waves were responsible for several recent catastrophes, notably the burning of the steamship Volturno in mid-Atlantic and the explosion on the French battleship Liberte. M Buroquier explains that experiments carried out in a laboratory midway between the Eiffel Tower, in Paris, and the Rochefort wireless station show that whenever the two places are sending messages simultaneously inexplicable phenomena are produced by the intersection of the waves. He says that two glass globes that were filled with inflammable gas were exploded by the disturbance thus set up. M Buroquier points out that the Volturno was in exactly the same zone at the time of the disaster on that vessel, and that the battleship Liberte, when destroyed, was between two other wireless station. All of which reads like a chapter from Lytton’s “Coming Race.”
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GUOOF.

    At a special meeting of the Royal George Lodge of the GUOOF, Inverell, held on Tuesday evening, it was unanimously agreed to pool the funds contributed by members for the purpose of medical attention, the lodge to defray the medical expenses incurred by individual members. A satisfactory arrangement for the supply of medicines has been made between the lodge and Messrs Charles Dowe and EA Thomas, the local chemists.

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SALES OF WHEAT LANDS.

    Hain & Searight, Sydney, report a much improved demand for farming blocks, and announce that, direct and in conjunction with other agents, they have since the New Year effected sales as follow: Account Mr Colin Tomkins, 1,234 acres, near Narromine; purchaser Mr Henry Drew. Account “Terramungamine” Estate, Dubbo, blocks 40, 41 and 43, totalling 1,184 acres; purchaser, Mr Jas Clarke, of Eulomogo. Account “Bynya” Estate, Barellan, block 12, area 620 acres; purchaser, Mr E Loechel, South Australia; and account Mr RC Clark, portion “Coorong” Estate, Wellington, comprising about 1,200 acres: purchaser Mr BT Barton.*

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THE WEATHER.

    Like other sections of the State, Inverell was fairly sizzling for two days this week, viz: Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday afternoon the glass in The Times office registered nearly 100, but the record taken at the Post-office was some degrees lower. On Wednesday the official figures were only 92.7 degrees, but the humidity throughout the 48 hours was almost unbearable. On Wednesday morning a light thunderstorm occurred, but only a few drops of rain fell, the result being that the heat and humidity became still worse. Another light storm passed in the afternoon, when about 12 points of rain fell. The conditions of Thursday and to-day have, however, gone a long way towards redeeming those of Tuesday and Wednesday, the air being dry and the heat only moderate.

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The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 22 Dec 1917 ³

WAR CASUALTIES.
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    The following names appeared in the official casualty lists which have been issued during the past four or five weeks. The names have not been previously in the “Herald”:—

WOUNDED.

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    Pte FRANCIS ELZEAR PARKER, Glen Innes.

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Francis Elzear Parker, Gaol photo sheet ⁴

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 13488

Date when Portrait was taken: 19-2-1914

Name: Francis Elzear Parker

Native place: Armidale Year of birth: 1-8-1891 Arrived       Ship: BS in Colony }   Year: – Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Laborer Religion: RC Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 5½" Weight     On committal: 130 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Dark brown Colour of eyes: Grey

Marks or special features: Scars on inside left forearm and on back of left hand, scar on outside right ring finger, several brown marks on right cheek, scar on right shin

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Inverell Q.S	12	2	1914	Attempted Bestiality	12 months HL

 

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¹     The Inverell Times, Fri 13 Feb 1914, p. 2.

²     For Parker’s WWI digitised service record go to: www.nla.gov.au. Interestingly, when asked on his enlistment form for services abroad “Have you ever been convicted by the Civil Power?” Parker’s response was: “Yes, for bestiality at Inverell on 13th February 1913. Served 6 months.”

³     The Sydney Morning Herald, Sat 22 Dec 1917, p. 13.

⁴     SRNSW: NRS2138, [3/6085], Darlinghurst Gaol photographic description book, 1913-1914, No. 13488, p. 36, R5117.

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