Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 15 June 1918, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
SHIPPING. – The Illawarra Steam Ship Company’s little boat Benandra, under the able guidance of the popular Captain Basclain, arrives and departs fairly regularly to and fro this port, but shippers of fine stock would be immensely benefitted if the boat could leave for Sydney sufficiently early on Monday morning to catch the Tuesday’s sales, as was the practice in days gone by.
AFTERNOON TEA. – Prior to departure from the district, the members of the Red Cross Society will entertain Mrs. George Cheesman, one of the Society’s Vice-Presidents and most valued workers in its interests, at an afternoon tea in the Shire Hall on Tuesday next, 18th inst., at 4 p.m. All members of the Society, as well as all other friends of Mrs. Cheesman, are cordially invited to be present.
OUR BOYS. – Mr. H. J. Thomson is in receipt of a communication from the Imperial Authorities that his son, Pte. A. H. Thomson, who was suffering from gunshot wound in the left hand, had had three fingers amputated. A later message stated that the patient was convalescent.
WEDDING. – A Military wedding was celebrated on Jun 5th at the Military Ward, Coast Hospital, by the Rev. Thos. Tait, M.A., B.D., of Scot’s Church, when Lance Corporal Fred Dickson was married to Alice E., youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. Jenner, “Newstead View” Moruya. The bride who looked charming in cream mousseline-de-soie was met at the main entrance by a guard of returned soldiers. She was given away by her father and attended by her sister. Pte. Phil Knight was best man. The ward was beautifully decorated by the nurses and soldier friends of the bridegroom, the Flying Corps colours playing a prominent part. The happy couple then left the ward between an avenue of nurses and soldiers amid showers of confetti, rice and slippers.
FROM THE FRONT. – Some ten or twelve days ago Mr. and Mrs. C. Crapp, of “Dalmeny” Bodalla, received a cable to say that their son Private Hilton had been wounded, and a few days ago they got word to say that he was gassed and taken to Northampton Hospital.
BODALLA. – (from our Correspondents.) On Friday evening, June 7th, a welcome home was tendered to Pte. Fred Taylor, son of Mr. and Mrs. D. Taylor of Bodalla who has been invalided home suffering from severe shrapnel wounds. Pte. Taylor was loudly cheered as he was escorted to the platform. Speeches of welcome were given by Mr. D. Hutchison and Rev. Lewin, and songs by the school children, Mr. Illingworth, Rev. Lewin and Mr. Nixon. Pte. Taylor briefly responded. The hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept going merrily till the early hours of the morning. Pte. Taylor is to be presented with a medal by the local committee at a later date.
A tennis match was played on the Bodalla court on the King’s Birthday between the local club and Kianga. Owing to the rain in the afternoon the match was not played out. When play was abandoned Kianga was leading by 20 games.
NERRIGUNDAH. – (From our Correspondent). A farewell social in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Cole was held in the School of Arts on Friday night, the 7th inst., prior to their departure for their new home near Verona. The hall was well filled with a representative gathering. Mr. P. Manning acted as M.C. The music was supplied by Miss V. Wilson and Miss M. Bishop (piano), assisted by W. Jessop, A. Coleman, and S. Lake (violin). Mr. and Mrs. Cole are to leave for Cobargo on 18th inst.
WAR-TIME PROHIBITION. – There was a moderate attendance at the local School of Arts Hall on Wednesday evening when Mr. R. L. Dawson presided over a meeting convened to hear addresses on the question of wartime prohibition of the liquor trade.
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).
