Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 23 December 1916, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
WELCOME. – A welcome home will be tendered to Sergt. Arthur Burns, who has recently returned wounded from the Front, on Thursday night the 28th, in the Mechanics’ Hall.
BAY SPORTS. – Judging by all accounts there will be a big roll up to witness the Bateman’s Bay sports listed for Boxing Day. The proceeds are for the erection of a memorial stone to district volunteers.
HOTEL IMPROVEMENTS. – Since taking over the Criterion Hotel, on the North end of the Moruya Bridge, Mr. Leo Lynch, the licensee, has been continuously making improvements, with the result that the Hotel appointments are as complete as any on the South Coast.
PUBLICAN’S BOOTH. – On Saturday last R. H. Harvison disposed of the publican’s booth for the New Year Day’s pony benefit races on the Moruya Park, Mr. Leo Lynch, of the Criterion Hotel being the purchaser at £12 10s and Mr. W. Ryan of the Club House Hotel, the running up.
DONATION. – Mr. Shumack, teacher, has handed the Secretary of the Red Cross Society, a nice parcel for the Belgian children. This thoughtful donation, which was the gift and work of his young pupils of the Kiora Public School, comprises of 21 handkerchiefs, 2 petticoats, one dress and one pillow case.
BOXING-NIGHT BALL. – Medames G. Constable and M. McKeon, joint Hon. Secs. To the Boxing Day Race Ball, request us to announce that dancing on that night will not commence until 9.30.
THE Rev. A. G. Rix has received definite confirmation of his removal to take charge of the Parish of Yass, and will leave Moruya on Jan. 11th to take up his duties on the following Sunday. Up to date no appointment has been made to the Moruya Parish.
RECRUITING. – Lieut. Rupert Cork (a returning officer) who has been appointed Recruiting Officer for the Coastal portion of Eden-Monaro, is not new to the coast. He hails from Milton but was born near Moruya. When war broke out he was holding a commission in the 28th L.H., and realising his duty to King and Country volunteered for action since and was accepted. He was among those gallant Light Horsemen in Egypt, who, when the first landing was accomplished on Gallipoli, put aside their horses, shouldered packs and volunteered as infantry, going forward to assist their comrades who were in need of reinforcements. He went through most of the heavy fighting on the Peninsula, but later on was invalided home with shell shock and shattered nerves. Being then discharged from the A.I.F. as unfit for further active service he was allotted to Home Defence and has been given the position of Recruiting Officer. We trust that the public will give him all assistance in their power in connection with the new recruiting system.
NERRIGUNDAH. – (From our Correspondent.)
A Chinaman from Sydney arrived, and with the assistance of two of our local residents exhumed the remains of two old Chinamen who had been buried some 12 years or so ago with the object of returning the remains with 40 others to China.
Our well known Charlie Ahchee, with some others are expected to sail to China shortly.
School broke up here on the 15th, Mrs. and Mr. Ginns, left on the same date to spend their Xmas holidays at Monaro.
Congratulations to Mrs. and Mr. Walter Cole, on the arrival of a young daughter.
Mrs. T. Pike, had an urgent call to Moruya with her little child to interview Dr. Quilter, we are pleased to say the little one is again recovering.
The Mail contract from Bodalla to Nerrigundah changes hands at the first of the year, our new Mailman to be Mr. R. Byrne.
A very severe thunderstorm passed over the Gulph yesterday, not much rain fell, but the Lightning being very severe striking many objects.
Visitors to the Gulph will have a royal time, Hop and Ginger Beers being made in large quantities, so no one will complain of being thirsty, good music is always obtainable, and as two of our local Chinamen Ah Quock and Bo Sam, are expecting to give an exhibition of tight rope walking and club swinging on Xmas Eve, at 8 p.m., I would recommend all persons who can attend to be sure and do so.
Seventeen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1915 are available ($5 ea) from the Society’s rooms. Copies of local newspapers from the 1860s to date can be viewed at the Society’s Family History Research Centre (Ph 4474 3224) situated at the rear of the Museum in Campbell St. Moruya (www.mdhs.org.au).
