Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 6 January 1917, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
MAJOR’S CREEK RACES. – Horse owners are reminded that nominations close for the Major’s Creek Races on Thursday next, 11th Jan.
FAREWELL. – The members of St. John’s Church will tender Rev. A. G. Rix a farewell social in the Mechanics Hall Tuesday night next, at eight thirty. The ladies will provide refreshments.
WATCHNIGHT SERVICE. – A solemn service was held in St. John’s Church on New Year’s Eve at a quarter past eleven, followed by a celebration of Holy Communion in the first minutes of the New Year.
HIGH-PRICED POULTRY. – Mr. “Con” Irwin, our great Game fancier in the poultry industry, sent some of his choice cockerels to Sydney for the Xmas market and obtained the high price, of 13/6 per pair for them.
VISITORS. – The Misses Conaghan, sisters of our popular assistant priest, Rev. Father Conaghan, have been spending their Xmas vacation in Moruya, and delighting their many friends with their charming singing.
ALIEN BOARDERS. – Hotel and boardinghouse keepers are reminded of the necessity under the War Precautions Act, of keeping a register of all aliens. The register must show the name, nationality, date of arrival, previous place of abode; if arrived by vessel, name of vessel; date of departure, destination on departure, if departure by vessel, name of vessel.
SHIRE ELECTIONS. – The Shire Clerk, Mr. Simpson, announced at 12 o’clock yesterday that Mr. H. J. Thomson and Mr. D Hutchison were duly elected councillors for C and D Ridings respectively. All other nominations were informal, so we now understand.
THE LATEST. – Or progressive townsman, Mr. A. H. Weatherby, arrived from Sydney on Thursday with the very latest in Motors for hire. This handsome conveyance is a six-cylinder 1917 model, of 25 h.p., beautifully upholstered and will carry six passengers comfortably.
NAROOMA PUNT. – A very numerously signed petition is being prepared for presentation to the Eurobodalla Shire Council asking for a motor power punt in place of the obsolete hand-winding arrangement at present in use in Narooma. The traffic over this River is rapidly increasing, and at present we think of sufficient magnitude to justify the installation of motive power. At our request the Ferry-man, Mr. H. J. Bettini has supplied us with the traffic for the month of December and also that for Xmas Day, which he certifies is correct, as follows: - December 1916; Passengers 3675; horses, 929; vehicles 531; motor cycles 73; bicycles, 115; cattle 44. Xmas Day – Passengers 157; horses 26; vehicles, 19; motor cars, 18; motor cycles, 7; and bicycles 5.
BODALLA ITEMS. – Bodalla Arms Hotel is crowded with Sydney visitors who seem to be having a good time between fishing and shooting. Major R. J. Prentice of Sydney training staff and brother of Mrs. E. G. Williams of Bodalla, are spending a short holiday at Bodalla and are guests of Mr. and Mrs. Williams. Mr. Prentice is 82 years of age and stood the journey of 228 miles from Sydney in one day. Mr. Guy Ebsworth caught two fine schnapper at Potato Point last week, one of them weighing about 16 lbs. Rock fishing seems to be good at present on the rocks.
NERRIGUNDAH. – On New Years morning at about 6 a.m., Mr. Mitchell, the Inspector General of Police from Sydney, arrived at Nerrigundah to inspect the Nerrigundah Police Buildings, and we have been given to understand he gave the local Constable great credit for the good order he had everything in, and was astonished to see such a fine variety of flowers growing on such a barren spot. Mr. Mitchell then proceeded to take a photograph of the Monument of the late Constable O’Grady, who was shot some years ago by one of the bushrangers. It will be remembered that Constable O’Grady, while suffering from a severe illness single handed attacked armed bushrangers and lost his life in the event, though setting a noble example of the brave act in the charge of the public interest.
Eighteen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1916 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).
