Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 4 August 1917, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
Mr. A. H. Pauling, who has been conducting the Palace Hotel, Central Tilba, has sold out to Mrs Hogan.
RETURNED HERO. – During the week, Gunner Willie McBain, eldest son of Mr. J. G. McBain, was on a visit to his relatives here. Our young hero, who is suffering from a strained heart, only recently returned from the front, after doing 20 months in active service, most of that time spent in the trenches in France. Gunner McBain recounts some thrilling incidents during his experiences in grim battle. On one occasion, he said, he had left his mate in a dug-out only a few seconds, when a bomb fell on that particular spot, and the remains of his comrade was afterwards picked up in dozens of pieces.
NELLIGEN. – (From our Correspondent.)
WELCOME HOME. – On the evening of Friday last, Private P. F. Dayball was entertained at a welcome home in the School of Arts. The attendance was good despite the heavy gale which raged all the afternoon and evening. The wind was so strong that Bateman’s Bay punt had to discontinue running and this prevented a good many people from attending. Private Dayball was badly wounded in France by a high explosive shell, and had the right arm almost severed at the elbow. He lately received his discharge from the A.I.F. and intends to live here for some time.
DEATH. – MR. JOHN EMMOTT. – Perhaps in the long history of the “Examiner,” it has never had to record a death which has caused such a lamentable loss to the whole district than it has this issue, by announcing the demise of that grand and beloved old gentleman, Mr. John Emmott, at the age of 76 years. As reported a fortnight ago, Mr Emmott, on the advice of Drs. Quilter and Willis, left for Sydney, accompanied by Mrs. Emmott, Mr. A. F. Emmott and Mrs. Gregg, to undergo and operation, but becoming too weak to complete the journey he was placed in the Berry Hospital, where, despite the best of medical care and careful nursing, the patient gradually sank lower and lower, and, on Friday 27th instant his soul passed peacefully into the safe-keeping of the One whom he had always taught little children to follow. Mr. Emmott was a native of the north of England and came to this country when about 14 years of age. A few years after he came to Moruya and joined his father, the late Mr. Abraham Emmott, in opening up the storekeeping business of that well-known establishment “The Beehive”. On the relinquishment of the business by his father, Mr. John took over the management. Mr. John married the eldest daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Forster of Wagonga. He was for many years the honored Mayor of the town, and was our district’s Senior Magistrate as well as being a member of the Licensing Bench and Land Board. In the time of the Bushranging days it will be remembered that Mr. Emmott nearly met his death at the hands of these desperadoes. In April 1865 the Clarke gang met Mr. Emmott on his way from the Gulph Diggings and ordered him to bail up; but he, having a considerable amount of gold and money about him wheeled his horse and started to gallop away. By this time others of the party had become excited, and several of them chased Mr. Emmott and fired their revolvers at him. The rider fell wounded and his horse was killed. About £100 in money and a parcel of gold dust was taken from him, and the party went on, leaving Mr. Emmott to make his way to where he could obtain surgical aid as best he could. The late Mr. Emmott leaves a widow, one son, Mr. A. F. Emmott, two daughters Mesdames Norman E. Gregg (Sydney), and A. M. Wilson (Moruya), one brother Mr. Thomas Emmott (Sydney), two sisters Medames E. Hawdon (Moruya), and W. H Simpson (Sydney).
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).
