Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 21 June 1919, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
AN Afternoon Tea will be tendered Mrs. And Misses Keith by the Red Cross Society on Tuesday next at 3 30 p.m.
THE re-erection of the old Kiora Church is proceeding rapidly in the hands of Mr. C. Stubbs, of Gundary. The historic structure, newly attired, is assuming a quite graceful appearance. It will be re-opened for service early in July.
SHIPPING. – Our brave little steamer, with her Bateman’s Bay crew of seven on board, arrived in Moruya on Monday, and on the following morning left again, taking with her between one and two hundred fat pigs, mostly from Mr. O’Toole’s Nerrigundah station. The little boat had no inward cargo, as she left Sydney with supplies for intermediate ports.
DEATH. – On Sunday afternoon last Percy, son of Mr. W. Millikin, died at his father’s residence, Deua River. The deceased, who was only 24 years of age, had been quite delicate from birth, and his end was not unexpected. He was of a quiet, unassuming disposition, and was much respected. Very great sympathy is expressed for his sorrowing father, brothers and sister.
MAIL CAR BURNT. – When on his way from Araluen with the Sydney and other intermediate mails, and within five miles of Moruya, Mr. W. McIntosh’s new Ford car burst into flames and the driver, Mr. McIntosh himself, and his brother who was accompanying him, had hardly time to rescue the mail bags before the whole car was in flames, and she was soon hopelessly destroyed, only the wheels being left. We have not heard whether or not the car was insured, but in any case the contractor, Mr. W. McIntosh, will be a considerable loser, as the car was practically a new one, having been in work only about six months, and cost £260. Mr. McIntosh was unable to procure another car on the following morning to take the mail away, but the incoming mail was brought through by Mr. Chewing’s car, which happened to be returning from Braidwood.
MOTOR CAR BURNT. – Mr. T. M. Royds last week had the bad luck to lose his Buick motor car. It appears that he left Durham Hall on Friday morning with the intention of visiting his property at Back Creek. When about two miles from the residence on the property the car suddenly stopped. All efforts to restart it failed. Mr. Royds, being in a hurry to reach the place, decided to let further work on it stand over until his return, and completed his journey on foot. He returned to the car about 5 o’clock that afternoon, when he again endeavoured to start the engine, without success. He then lifted up the bonnet to find out the cause of the trouble, and later struck a match with the object of lighting one of the side lights. It is presumed that the head of the match came off in the lighting and fell into the tray under the engine. The car was soon a mass of flames. The petrol in the engine caught fire and exploded, and it was not long before the car was totally consumed. We understand that it was insured. Mr. Royd was lucky that he was not killed, as parts of the car were blown 50 yds. away when the explosion occurred.
LATEST TELEGRAMS. – (From Our Sydney Correspondent.)
There were 28 deaths and 214 new cases of influenza in the twenty-four hours to 8 last night. There are 1826 cases in the Hospitals. The Government regard the outbreak as being so serious that Holman has issued a warning that unless the public follow the lead set by the Government regulations compelling them to abandon functions which create circumstances favorable to the spread of the disease will be enforced. The public is requested to be inoculated once a month.
Twenty 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1918 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).
