Cowra Free Press, Fri 12 Nov 1926 ¹

ALLEGED SERIOUS OFFENCE
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A CLEVER CAPTURE.
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    On Wednesday afternoon while motoring past Cowra West Station, Constables Auld and Caldwell became suspicious of the actions of a man, [Frederick Seale], in the company of a small boy, [Donald Logan Law, 12 years], and decided to interrogate him. Failing to satisfactorily explain his actions the officers took the man in custody. At the Children’s Court on Thursday the suspect, who is a well-known traveller for a reputable city firm, was charged with an alleged indecent offence. He was remanded till Tuesday next and admitted to bail of self in £50 and one surety of £50.

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OBITUARY
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THE LATE Mr JOSEPH GILBERT.
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    In our last issue we briefly referred to the passing away of an old and much esteemed resident, in the person of Mr Joseph Gilbert, who came to Cowra in the early days of our railway, some 33 years ago, hence he could be regarded as a railway employee of the veteran type. He was a veritable Yorkshire “bite” and the possessor in an eminent degree of the admirable provincial characteristics of that portion of England, traits which endeared him to a large circle of intimate friends. He possessed a bright and cheerful disposition under the influence of which he was prone to take a sympathetic view of the failings of his fellow man and to extenuate rather than condemn his faults. He entered the service on the Great Eastern Railway Company in Yorkshire, when a mere lad, and at once applied such attention to all that pertained to locomotion, that in a comparatively brief space of time he qualified for the position of engine driver, and his appointment thereto shortly followed. Believing that there were greater opportunities for young married men in Australia, he embarked for New South Wales with his wife and children, and landed at Sydney in March, 1883. His home credentials being perfectly satisfactory his employment by the railway Department soon eventuated, his first appointment being to the Bathurst staff. Later, when the Blayney-Murrumburrah line was opened he was transferred to Cowra, and since that date he had been a continuous resident of the place. Having reached the departmental age limit, his retirement from the railway service ensued. Following the inauguration of the Railway Institute here, his former fellow employees testified their appreciation of his worth by appointing him caretaker, a post he held up to about twelve months ago, when the infirmities attending advanced years necessitated his resignation. During the past three months this fine old man’s state of health became so feeble as to cause the members of his family grave concern, which was accentuated through the inability of his medical attendant to effect a change for the better. The end came on Tuesday morning, when the spirit passed peacefully away in the presence of his wife, family and some very intimate friends. Including a devoted wife the deceased is survived by six sons. viz, John Wm (Sydney), Joseph (West Australian Railway Service), Robert (Railway Dept, Newcastle), George (Railway Dept, Cowra), Herbert (Railway Dept, Dubbo), and Reginald (CIB, Sydney). There were also three daughters, who died in infancy. The late Mr Gilbert was attached to the Freemasons fraternity for over forty years, and was also a member of the AU Druids for a considerable period. The funeral arrangements on Wednesday afternoon were conducted by Messrs Poignand, Murray and Co. Deceased was buried in the Methodist portion of the cemetery, Rev JH Sorrell officiating. Four retired ex-fellow employees of deceased acted as pall-bearers.
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COWRA ALP
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    A meeting of the above was held in the Soldiers’ Memorial Hall on Monday evening, Mr J Maher presiding.

    Mr RE O’Halloran (Secretary Parliamentary Labor Party) notified that the unsatisfactory condition of the Cowra police officer’s quarters had been referred to the Chief Secretary and members for the district.

    At the instance of Mr Hughes it was decided to protest against the name of Young being bestowed on the new electorate, and to suggest that either Wyangla or Lyndhurst be substituted.

    Mr PF Loughlin wrote as follows:—“I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter conveying the resolution carried by the local League concerning my being against Communism, and the preservation of the rules of the ALP. I appreciate the League’s concurrence in my action very much.”

    Mr G McCarthy, the branch’s delegate to the Electoral Council meeting at Cootamundra, gave a resume of the business transacted. He said that although conference had spent 6½ hours practically nothing had been accomplished. By exercising his four votes in favor of Mr Loughlin, he had been instrumental in having the censure motion levelled against that gentleman defeated—the voting being 23 to 22. Mr McCarthy said he had declined nomination as a delegate to the special conference, but had nominated Mrs Martin. The delegate’s report was adopted.

    Mr McCarthy said he was opposed to proxy voting, and held that at future conferences the full delegation should attend.

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The Grenfell Record and Lachlan District Advertiser, Mon 20 Dec 1926 ²

WORLD’S WHEAT CROPS
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    Information has been received in Cowra that the man Frederick Seale, who a few weeks ago was committed from the local Police Court to take his trial at the next Court of Quarter Sessions on a charge of an abominable character, pleaded guilty at the Parramatta Quarter Sessions on Friday of last week. The sentence of the Court has not been announced.

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Frederick Seale, Gaol photo sheet ³

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Gaol Photo Sheet - Transcribed Details

No. 22121

Date when Portrait was taken: 7-3-1927

Name: Frederick Seale

Native place: Camperdown NSW Year of birth: 26-1-1884 Arrived       Ship: in Colony }   Year: BS Trade or occupation previous to conviction  } Commercial traveller Religion: C of E Education, degree of: R & W Height: 5' 11" Weight     On committal: 167 in lbs     } On discharge: Colour of hair: Brown Colour of eyes: Blue

Marks or special features: Cyst under left eye

(No. of previous Portrait ... )  CONVICTIONS
Where and When				Offence.	Sentence
Parramatta Q.S	10	12	1926	Indecently assault a male person	9 months HL.

 

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¹     Cowra Free Press, Fri 12 Nov 1929, p. 9.

²     The Grenfell Record and Lachlan District Advertiser, (NSW), Mon 20 Dec 1926, p. 1.

³     SRNSW: NRS2467, [3/6118], State Penitentiary photographic description book, 19 Nov 1926-5 May 1927, No. 22121, p. 276.

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