Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 29 June 1918, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society: DESERTER ARRESTED. – A. E. Jackson, a deserter from the A.I.F. about two years ago, and for whom a warrant was in existence, has been arrested by that smart police officer, Constable Marsh, who is in charge of Bateman’s Bay Police Station, assisted by Constable Lawrence, of this station. GOLDMINING COMPANY. – For its smallness of population Nerrigundah is about one of the most progressive centres this paper has made the acquaintance of. Having failed to get the assistance they were entitled to from the Mines Department in developing the mineral industry of their unquestionably rich locality, they have now clubbed together as a ‘Goldmining and Crushing Syndicate,’ and are now advertising through the issue for a complete crushing plant of five or more stampers, all particulars can be obtained from the secretary, Mr. J. J. Jessop, at Nerrigundah. Everyone acquainted with Nerrigundah, even the children, know that there are covered in its hills and dales tons weight of golden treasure in reefs and alluvials not yet found. SYMPATHY. – Mr. G. Robb, of Mogo, whose son paid the supreme sacrifice on the blood-stained fields of Flanders, is in receipt of the following sympathetic letter: - “France, 17th April 1918. Dear Mr. Robb, - I am very sorry to have to inform you of the death of your son Pte. Robb who was killed in action on the 5th. At the time we were fighting near Albert and holding a ridge strongly contested for. Our casualties then were slowly rising so your son came to the rescue by volunteering to take to stretcher so as to try to get our men away. He gallantly stuck to his job for many hours, but at about 1 p.m. he was fired on by a German Machine Gun, a burst catching him in the back. Death was practically instantaneous having no less than 11 bullets in him. I cannot express how deeply I feel his absence in our Company and all officers and men express their admiration for the noble work he has done. W. ADAMS, Captain, O.C. C. Coy, 45th.” THE WEATHER. – No rain has fallen in this district of any appreciable value for some months past, and with the late westerly winds followed by a continuity of unusually heavy frosts the whole district has become as brown as a berry, and water, especially with residents in town, is becoming alarmingly scarce. There is a large cemented underground tank near the footpath in Campbell Street, in the Shire Council’s property, which could be converted into a great blessing to many of our residents by the Council affixing a pump on it together with a few yards of hose, sufficiently long to reach out through the fence onto the road, thereby enabling householders to conveniently fill their buckets. PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE. – MR. Jack King, the sporting Boniface of the Hotel Adelaide, has established himself a pronounced favourite with the lads of the town and district owing to his introduction of terrier rabbit coursing.Miss Cella, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Lynch, of Moruya, and a favourite musician with terpsichorean artists, was down from Sydney on a flying visit to her parents last week, looking quite charming.Mr. Glenn Ball, of Mullenderree, fully deserved the dual win he secured at the Poultry Club’s sports on Monday (figure eight and flag race), owing to the excellent care he bestows on his very excellent little pony cob. FREEZING WORKS. – The manager of the Moruya Freezing Works informs us that the supply of rabbits is gradually increasing. There are any number of rodents to be trapped in the paddocks surrounding the town, and trappers will not only be benefitting themselves, but also stockowners, by getting to work in earnest and at once. NAROOMA. – (From our Correspondent). Sharks have been very numerous lately around Narooma entrance, in the vicinity of the Bar and inside channels, probably after the salmon and tailor with which the Wagonga is teeming at present. 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).
