Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 11 May 1918, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society: MORUYA BOYS. – When in Sydney our special met Privates “Jack” Keating and “Dave” Lynch, two Moruya boys who enlisted in Queensland and experienced some severe fighting and hardships in the trenches until knocked out and invalided home. Both lads had their legs injured by shrapnel, and “Jack,” who looks exceedingly well and even more eloquent than ever, carries a crippled left hand which the doctors would have amputated but for his objections. BIG GIRDER. – A week or two back we noted the arrival of a very large girder at the Moruya wharf which was squared by Mr. “Barty” Turner and drawn in by Mr. “Bert” Taylor. This week we have to chronicle the arrival at the same place of a still larger girder, which measures 47ft in length, 22 x 22 and contains 1896 superficial feet. This immense piece of timber was also squared by Mr. “Barty” Turner, at Moggendoura, which will also be used in the construction of a big gun emplacement on an American war boat, and was drawn in by Messrs. Lance Sly and L. Graham’s horse team. PERSONAL and OTHERWISE. – News has been received by Mr. J. A. Greig, of Bingie that his son, Gunner Reg Greig, has been wounded. Useful showers fell on Sunday night last, which will be much appreciated, the dust on the roads was becoming a nuisance. We learn that Private Alick Arnett, son of Mr. E. L. Arnett, who recently left the district for the Northern Rivers, has been killed in action, the sympathy of many old friends will be felt for Mr. Arnett. The Agent-General has cabled to Mr. Holman that Australian soldiers are marrying English and Scottish girls at the rate of 80 monthly, and asking if the Government is willing to grant the wives assisted passages to Australia after the war. It is understood that the Government is prepared to do so. While the condition of Mr. R. G. Hassal, of “Glendaruel,” is not considered as being very serious, at the same time it is sufficiently so to cause his family and wide circle of friends much concern. Naturally the severe shock suffered by Mr. Hassall is manifesting reaction with the result that his recovery is a question of somewhat extended rest and quiet. WELCOME HOME. – At the Centennial Hall on Monday evening last a welcome home was tendered to Private Allan Rose, and Corporal Victor Canty who is on a visit to the district. The chairman, Mr. T. Flood, conducted the two returned soldiers to seats on the stage, where they were joined by Lieutenant Rickford and Sergeant-Major Healey, recruiting officers. DEATH OF MRS. MARY CUMES, LATE OF MOGO. On the 29th of April there passed away at the residence of her son, Detective Albert Cumes, at the Glebe, Sydney, Mrs. Mary Cumes at the age of 74 years, wife of the late Henry Cumes who from his boyhood was a resident of Mogo. Mrs. Cumes was a native of the Moruya district, and until the last year or so resided at Mogo and Narooma, she had been in indifferent health for some time past and lately came to reside with her son Albert at Mitchell St., Glebe. She was widely known and respected and until her health failed was a genuine friend in all cases of sickness or distress that came under her notice. She leaves a family of 3 sons and 2 daughters, John and Henry Cumes of Narooma, Detective Albert Cumes, Sydney, Mrs. Peter Milwaine, Glebe and Mrs. Ted Gawley, Melbourne. NERRIGUNDAH. – The humanitarian spirit of the Nerrigundah people was again put to the test, on the 26th April, when a day’s sports and ball were held in aid of Red Cross Funds, the total amount collected being over £100, equal to about one pound per head of the adult population. 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).
