Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 20 April 1918, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
FARMS for lease.
PURE garden honey for sale.
TENDERS for the removal of cottage called for.
SOME of our houses are still conspicuous without the Red Cross Badge.
WOUNDED. – Mr. H. J. Thomson received a cable on Wednesday night saying that his son, Pte. Arthur had been wounded for the second time.
ACCIDENT. – During the week Mr. A. Louttit had the misfortune to have his fine young bull, by a Darbalara bull on the Bodalla Estate, injured in the back. The owner at once sent for Mr. Mater, who is endeavouring to save the animal. It is however feared that the beast, which Mr. Louttit values at £100, will have to be destroyed.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY. – The Secretaries of Red Cross Day are in receipt of the following from the Under Secretary Department of Education: - “With reference to your letter of 10th instant requesting that the schools within a five mile radius of Moruya be closed on the half-day 25th instant on account of Red Cross Celebrations, I have to inform you that sanction has been given to your request. The necessary arrangements are being made.
ROLL OF HONOUR. – Lieut-Colonel D. McConaghy C.M.G., D.S.O., brother of Mrs. Laurie Walker of Moruya, is reported as died of wounds. Lieut- Colonel McConaghy, who was born at Cootamundra, was just 30 years of age at the time of his death and left Australia with the first troops to sail. He landed on the Peninsular the first day, was made a Captain 6 days later and a Major the next day, and was commanding his battalion before being invalided to Egypt. He went to France after the evacuation of the Peninsular and went through much of the heavy fighting in the big British advance, commanding our Australian 55th Battalion.
DEATH. – A very sad event has just occurred in the death of Mr. George Costin, an old and highly respected resident of the Narooma district. Deceased was taken suddenly ill on Monday with a paralytic stroke and was conveyed to Bega Hospital. No hope was held for his recovery and he passed away at 2 p.m. the following day. The deceased leaves a widow, formerly Miss Rena Ross, Stewardess on the I.S.N. Co’s boat.
THE Defence Dept. advised Mr. G. Robb, of Mogo, that his son, Pte. Clarrie, had fallen as a hero should fighting for our hearths and homes.
PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE. –
Mr. G. Harrison was advised on Monday , that his son, Driver Percy Harrison, has been wounded and gassed at the front.
Mr. D. Johnson, of Mullenderree, has received word that his son Pte. Mervyn who was gassed last month, is again in the firing line.
Mr. A. Hartmann is receipt of a letter from his son, Pte. Ellis stating that he is ill in hospital, and later was advised that his eldest son, Arthur, who was recently promoted to the rank of Sergeant, has been wounded and gassed for the second time.
Said that paspalum grass sown on blackberry infested land will soon smother and starve the berry out of existence. This experiment has been a success in parts of the Cobargo district.
The Rev. E. W. Hyde, Mrs. Hyde and two little daughters arrived on Thursday night.
Every school on the State has been asked to secure one recruit each by May 30 for “Carmichael’s Thousand.”
Mr. J. Culey, headmaster of the Nowra Superior Public School and a married man, has enlisted and passed for Carmichael’s thousand.
NAROOMA. – (From our Correspondent.)
An important function was held here on Friday of last week. The affair was got up by the crew of the s.s. Bodalla, which was then bar-bound at this port, the crew paying for most of the refreshments, augmented by some of the ladies with cakes, etc. Notwithstanding the short notice, the social was well attended, 1s being charged for gents and ladies free. All proceeds over expenses, amounting to £2 7s, were handed in for Red Cross day fund.
The dredge Latona left this port today (Wednesday) for Bateman’s Bay, having completed the opening of the crossing here for navigation.
Nineteen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1917 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).
