One hundred years ago – 13 December, 1913

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

NAROOMA SPORTS – There is no doubt the residents of the picturesque village by the sea (Narooma), are a highly commendable body for the unity manifested in all local public matters having for their object the advancement of the town and district.  To assist the local School of Arts they have issued a monster programme of exciting horse and pony events for New Year’s Day, all particulars of which appear in this issue.  Ball at night.  Mr. E.C. Simmons is the live secretary.   13/12/1913

SCHOOL COMPETITION– The competitions amongst the Moruya Public schools in readings, recitations, bird calls, spelling bee, solos (vocal and instrumental), history, etc., was introduced by the teacher, Mr. E.J. Egan, on Wednesday last in the Mechanics’ Hall.  The attendance was not nearly so large as might reasonably have been expected, and the teacher, when returning thanks, referred to the fact and said he could only attribute the cause to the parents’ lack of interest in their children.  “Concerts, said Mr. Egan, are well attended, and yet these entertainments are better and more educational.”  (Applause).  The adjudicators were Rev. M. Malcolm, and Messrs. Dawson and Lee, Mrs. Somerset deciding on the merits of the instrumentalists.  The decisions given throughout were received with applause, and the adjudicators are entitled to great credit for the capable manner in which they carried out their difficult duties.  We have much pleasure in complimenting Mr. Egan and his staff on the high efficiency displayed by the pupils.  Following are the results: – Instrumental duet, F. Thomson and E. Maxwell;  recitation (infants), “The Postman,”  Eddie Richards 1, Gwen Jeffery 2;  vocal solo, Eileen Graham 1, Henry Richards 2;  pianoforte solo, Alice Thomson 1, E. Maxwell 2;  bird calls, Henry Richards 1, Wilfred Richards 2;  recitation, “Portia’s Address,”  Eileen Graham 1, Phyllis Holroyd 2;  spelling bee, F. Thomson 1, M. Colefax 2;  reading, Marian Burns 1, Grace Matthews 2;  recitation, “Somebody’s Mother,” Dorothy Millikin 1, Gladys Maxwell 2;  dialogue, quarrel scene from Julius Caesar, Phyllis Holroyd 1, and Eileen Graham 2.    13/12/1913

NERRIGUNDAH (From our Correspondent). – During last week one of our young men, Mr. Ben Mater, had the misfortune to meet with an accident whilst engaged cutting leaves for eucalyptus oil.  He was at the Reedy Creek plant of Davidge and Co., when in the act of chopping a tree he had fallen he slipped on a limb.  He had an axe in his hand at the time which fell from his hand and inflicted a wound about 1 ½ inches long and 4 inches above the knee.  He was at once assisted to the camp and first aid rendered by the rest of the company.  He was taken home by his father the following day and is now progressing favourably.  It is hoped he will be able to resume work during the week.  But for the promptness with which the wound was treated it might have been a troublesome case.  Yesterday Mr. Roy Thelan, also in the eucalyptus industry had the misfortune to cut his knee severely while cutting leaves.  13/12/1913

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).