Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 10 March 1917, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
EUROBODALLA SHIRE COUNCIL. – The first meeting of the new Council of the above Shire took place on Monday night for the purpose of appointing a President. The Councillors present were Messrs. D. Hutchison, H. J. & J. Bate, J. Sebbens and H. J. Thomson. Cr. D. Hutchison was nominated by Cr. H. J. Bate, and there being no other nomination, Cr. Hutchison was duly elected.
On the following morning the same Councillors in addition to Cr. H. J. Mallon were present. The President reported examination of books as satisfactory.
CORRESPONDENCE DEALT WITH. From the Land Board notifying application by the Executors of the Estate of the late Jas. C. Greig for permission to erect rabbit proof fencing – with gates – across road in Parish of Congo. [No objection]
ENTRIES for Moruya Show close at 8 p.m. on Thursday next, 15th inst.
THURSDAY 22nd inst. (second day of Moruya Show) declared a Public Holiday.
DON’T miss “The Golden Chance” to-night and the laughable Keystone including a Pathe Gazette.
FERRETS. Mr. J. Keating of Mullenderree, advertises that he has a couple of beautiful young ferrets for sale.
CIGARS WON. – The box of cigars which was disposed of on behalf of the Knitting Class was won by Mr. Venn.
PROMOTION. – Mrs. Revaillion, of Turlinjah, has just received a letter from her son Willie, who is at the front, stating that he has been promoted on the field to Lance-Corporal.
NEW BUSINESS. – As will be seen in our business columns, Mr. C. Johnson has opened a grocery establishment in the store lately occupied by Mr. M. Morris. Harrison’s Booking Office will also be conducted on the same premises.
FURNITURE SALE. – R. B. Heffernan announces in our business columns that he will sell on the premises on Saturday 17th inst. The household furniture and effects of Mr. M. Morris, who is leaving the district.
ONE OF OUR BOYS. – The following letter has been received from Pte. “Wedge” Ryan, who is at the front.
Sunday 13th 1917
Dear Father, - Just a line hoping to find you all well as it leaves me at present. We have had bad weather here, it has been raining for a fortnight and is terribly cold, so you can guess what sort of a time we had camping out. It makes one very hardy so I think I can stand anything now. I never felt better in my life, though we have it pretty rough sometimes. Well, father, I suppose you have heard that there has been a few big battles this last week or two. There wasn’t much trouble to take El Arish. The Turks soon retreated when they found our troops were on the move. We took about 1,100 prisoners. About 30 miles further along the Turks put up another fight. Here we took 2,000 more prisoners. Our losses were very light considering we were fighting five to one. There were very few Germans with them. It was a big blow to them. They don’t seem as if they can stop our advances. If we keep going we will soon be in Palestine. We have the enemy clean out of Egypt now. They are about 147 miles from the Canal. Last August they were only 15 miles from it, so you can see that we have kept them on the move. Well, father, I think that this year will finish the war. I expect to be home by next Xmas if I have the luck. I got the “Examiner” that you sent me, I see by it that some of the young men have enlisted over there. I think it is time that some of them came and gave us a hand. We want to be reinforced by Australians, we don’t want any other country. We have kept the flag flying with Australians and we will keep it flying or die alongside. God help Australia if it goes down. Tell Mr. Harvison to wake them up through his paper.
I remain your fond son,
“Wedge” Ryan
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).
