Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 20 October 1917, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
MADAME PETROVA in her latest and greatest success The Waiting Soul, Start Theatre tonight.
INCOME TAX. – Several city people have been fined £50 for not sending in Income Tax returns.
SCARCITY OF NEWSPAPER. – “Everything comes to those wait”, (says Pambula “Voice”.) “After two year we received a bale of paper on Tuesday last.”
KIORA FACTORY. – During August 4324 gallons of milk equalling 4443 standard gallons were delivered at the Kiora Factory.
MORUYA FACTORY. – During August 16286 gallons of milk, equalling 15539 Standard gallons, were delivered at the Moruya Factory.
HONOR ROLL. – Word has been received by his parents, who live at Comerang, Bodalla, that Private J. Hunt, who enlisted from Bodalla had been killed in action on the 28th of September. This brave hero leaves a young wife, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Balwin, and an infant son.
MINING. – We are informed on reliable information that Messrs. G. H. James and C. Stubbs, jun., have purchased Mr. Harry Wendon’s Donkey Hill gold reef. This reef has been worked for many years past by Mr. Wenden, only in a small way, and has always been a paying, and in fact a profitable, proposition. May the new proprietors unearth fortunes, which is quite possible in such an auriferous locality.
IRONBARK ATTACKED. – A serious condition has developed in State Forests on the North Coast as a result of the appearance and spread of a lerp insect, which is destroying the ironbark timber and defying the efforts of the forestry officials to combat it. The data it has been possible to collect does not enable the Government scientists to identify the insect sufficiently to enable them to prescribe an antidote.
VITAL STATISTICS. – Following are the district statistics registered at Moruya for the quarter ending 29th day of September, 1917: - Marriages 3; Births, males 9, females 11, total 20 ; Deaths, males 5, females 2, total 7.
PRISONER OF WAR. – Mrs. Molloy, of Mogo, has received a letter from one of her two sons who went to the war, Harry, stating that he was a prisoner of war in Gustrow, Germany. Private Harry, who is doing road work for the enemy, reckons that he is not getting the New South Wales award rates at his new occupation.
FAREWELLED. – On Friday evening of last week two of the oldest and most highly respected residents of the district, Mr. and Mrs. M. Morris ( who have relinquished business and are going to reside in Sydney) were tendered a farewell in the Convent School-room. A large gathering assembled to do honor to the departing guests. Mr. R. B. Heffernan on behalf of the R.C. parishioners presented Mr. Morris with a suit case and his good wife with a handbag containing a cheque. Mr. Morris suitably responded.
NAROOMA. – WAR CHEST DAY. – A successful function was held here for War Chest Day in a sale of gifts and social etc. Donations in cash and kind were collected on both sides of the Wagonga, the collectors being the Misses D. O’Connor, N. Thomson, A. Wollett, V. Bettini, Joyce Stroud and Mrs. Barry. Mr. G. Thomson, our local auctioneer, as usual performed his duties gratuitously and disposed of many items in quick time. Mrs Morris and her staff of willing helpers presided at the refreshment room which was well patronised. Mrs. G. Sykes presided at the chamber of horrors, viz., exhibiting war trophies from the battlefields of France which had been sent home by her son who is at the front. This was well attended, it being a very interesting feature. The social at night was also well patronised and a jolly evening was spent, raffles, etc., being indulged in during the lulls in dancing. The School of Arts light, which has just been fitted out with the Gloria, made everything much brighter. The function netted about £53 for the War Chest Day.
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).
