This is a Generative AI summary of this newspaper article. It may contain errors or omissions. Please note that the language in the summary is reflective of the original article and the societal attitudes of the time in which it was written.
Summary: In Male Attire, Sad Case At Dunedin (Mataura Ensign, 6 November 1912)
On November 5, 1912, a tragic incident unfolded in Dunedin involving a young woman who had been masquerading as a man. The woman, identified as Annie Read, was found unconscious in her room at a boarding house, beside her deceased newborn daughter. Since arriving in Dunedin at the end of January, Annie had been living under the alias Thomas Parkes and worked as a male assistant in a local bookshop. She had been complaining of ill health in the days leading up to the discovery.
On the night before her tragic discovery, Annie returned home early, stating that she felt unwell and subsequently locked herself in her room. Sounds of groaning were heard by the landlady and another boarder throughout the night but no investigation was made until morning when a boarder entered the room using a ladder and found her unconscious on the floor. Upon examination, it was revealed that the individual thought to be a man was, in fact, a woman who had recently given birth. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Annie succumbed to her condition later that day.
Annie Read's history revealed a series of name changes; she had previously masqueraded as Thomas Ralph in Ararat, Victoria, where her true identity was discovered after an accident. She then adopted the name Thomas Russell before settling in Dunedin.
In other news from November 5, 1912, in Carterton, a six-roomed house was blown up with 20lbs of gelignite but fortunately, no injuries occurred as nobody was inside at the time. In Wellington, the Supreme Court found Frank Loasby Tocker guilty of delaying postal matter and imposed a fine, considering his youth. In Waihi, the police prepared to take firm measures against demonstrators despite their denial of issuing an ultimatum.
A conference in Wellington addressed concerns from manure manufacturers and importers about packaging regulations for superphosphate and basic slag, proposing restrictions on bag weights and handling procedures to improve safety.
In Hamilton, local businessmen decided to establish a Motor Transport Company to improve transportation between Hamilton and Frankton, facilitating easier access for Main Trunk train passengers.
Lastly, a worker named James Barraclough suffered a spine concussion after being knocked over an embankment by an engine while working on the Waikino line. Another incident in Dannevirke involved a cadet who accidentally discharged a dum-dum cartridge during a parade, causing damage to the drill hall floor and prompting a reprimand for the careless act.
Important Information
The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact
Tags