Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 8 December 1917, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
MORUYA ANNUAL RACES. – The Officials have issued the programme for their annual two days’ race meeting which takes place on the Moruya course on Monday and Tuesday, 4th and 5th of February, 1918. The Moruya Cup carries 55 sovereigns, and the Town Plate, which is listed for the second day, is worth 35 sovereigns. A Jumpers’ Flat Race of 20 sovereigns on the first day and a Hurdle Race of 30 sovereigns on the second day are also attractive items. Altogether the programme is a credit to the Club and District. A list of the prizes, regulations and all particulars can be obtained on application to the secretary, Mr. Frank Flanagan.
POSSE OF POLICE. – Owing, no doubt, to a report by Mr. Oakes to the authorities re the disturbance which followed his and Captain Millard’s Conscription meeting, held in the Mechanics’ Hall last week, quite a posse of distinguished Police Officers honored (?) our proverbially orderly and well conducted little township with their presence on Wednesday night, presumably to see that law and order were observed and the Conscriptionist – who was announced to address a public meeting that night – and his supports were preserved from molestation. The official visitors were : Inspector Saunders (Braidwood), Sergeant Face (Araluen), First-class Constable Barry (Narooma), and Constable Wilson (Braidwood).
ACCIDENT. – Whilst riding after stock, Mr. “Bob” Higgins, of Araluen, sustained a fractured rib through his horse falling. The patient was taken to the Braidwood hospital where he is now reported to be doing well.
JERVIS BAY LAND SALE. – We have been sent an artistic plan of Jervis Bay City Estate which is to be sold by Hardy and Gorman at their rooms, 133 Pitt Street, Sydney, on Monday next at 11:30 am. The plan can be inspected at this office.
SUNDAY TRADING. Last month the bench, composed of local magistrates, granted the following persons a licence to trade on Sundays – E. Corbett, G. Chewing, and H. Fordham. Gancsha Tabo was granted a Hawker’s licence at the same court.
CONSCRIPTION MEETING. – Mr. W. T. Dick, M.L.C. formerly for some years State Member of Newcastle, addressed a public meeting in the Mechanic’s Hall on Wednesday night, in favour of Mr. Hughes’ Conscription Referendum. Mr. R. L. Dawson occupied the chair and introduced Mr. Dick to the audience, which was a very small one at the time, only about nine persons being present, but this number gradually increased before the close of the address by about twenty more.
DEUA RIVER. – Alderman Burke, M.L.A., addressed an anti-conscription meeting here on Saturday and was accorded a patient and attentive hearing. He said he was entirely opposed to the application of conscription of Australians for foreign service and adjured all those present to vote “No” on December 20th, not so much as to nark “Little Billy” as to save Australia from military despotism.
Private J. E. Turner, of Deua River, after spending a few weeks in Bethnal Green Military Hospital, London, to which he was admitted suffering from trench fever, has returned to the firing line. Pte. Turner is and avowed anti-conscriptionist.
Alderman Burke, M.L.A., in a chat with this writer at Deua River on Saturday, said that Billy Hughes was the greatest Sian Feiner in Australia the meaning of the word being “all for self.” – Fermanagh Mallon, Merricumbene, via Moruya.
BODALLA. – (From our Correspondent).
On Friday evening November 30t a very successful social was held in the local Hall in aid of funds for the Bodalla Brass Band. First class music was provided by the band, the Bulgarie Trio, Miss Walsh and Mr. J. Lipscombe. The prize for the fancy dress was won by Miss Linda Marsden, who looked “just the thing” as Australia. The proceeds amounted to about £10.
The Tennis Club have started playing again and local enthusiasts may be seen on the court in the early hours of the morning as well as afternoons.
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).
