One hundred years ago today – 22 November,1913

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of this time in 1913, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

TWO NEW BOATS – Mr. Sim, manager of the I.S.N. Company, has forwarded us the following information, which will be read with interest by our shippers: – Dear Sir, – I am sure it will be of interest to you to hear that the first of the two new steamers which are building for us in Sydney is to be launched on 15^th December next, and we hope that she will be ready for service about the middle of March.  The machinery, which has been imported from England, is now in Sydney, and no time will be lost in getting it fitted into the vessel.  The second vessel, we hope, will be launched about May and ready for service about August next year.  These two vessels have been built especially for the Moruya and Narooma trade, and we think they will be well suited for the business.  They are light draught vessels with a fair speed, and have accommodation for 18 passengers.  We did, at one time, think of building a larger vessel for the Moruya trade, but our experience of the past year or two has shown us that the Moruya trade can be served better and with more regularity with a light draught vessel which can negotiate the river when it is at its worst, than with a larger vessel with a consequent deeper draft, and which would, in all probability, get stuck in the river nine times out of ten.

As explained to you before, we intend to maintain a regular weekly service to Moruya, leaving Sydney on Thursday and Moruya on Saturday, and we hope to work up sufficient trade at Narooma to justify a regular weekly service to Narooma and Wagonga also.  This service will be independent of the Moruya service.  We will, of course, be only too glad to send an immediate steamer for timber or other cargo if inducement offers.

The first steamer is to be named the “Benandra,” and the second steamer the “Bodalla.”  We feel sure that the advent of the two steamers in the Moruya and Narooma trades will be a great help to the surrounding districts of Moruya and Narooma, as we fully realise that regular and frequent services are necessary to get the products of the district to market, whether they be dairy produce, live stock or timber. We might mention that we are making special arrangements for the carriage of cheese, and the steamers will be also well equipped for the handling of general cargo and timber.  The comfort of the passengers is also receiving special attention.  22/11/1913

ELECTRIC PICTURES – Mechanics’ Hall, Moruya.  Sat. Night, Nov.22. – The Star Picture: “The Bread of the People.” – MONEY VERSUS THE PEOPLE.  WHY BREAD IS DEAR  →THE GREAT WHEAT TRUST←  – OTHER PICTURES: – “As Prescribed by the Doctor.”- “Mystic Moonshine.” – “The Wedding Day.” – “Lady Barber of R Gulch.” – “Indian Out-cast.” – “Trapped by Fire.” – “Beautiful Baja.” – →Absolutely Best Programme Shown in Moruya. – A.H. WEATHERBY.     22/11/1913

Fourteen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1912 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 Pioneer Museum in Campbell St. Moruya (mdhs.org.au).