One hundred years ago – 24 January

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of this time in 1914, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

WARNING. – Mr. Irwin, news agent of this town, as well as this paper, has received small books containing nine tickets purporting to be sweep tickets in a £25,000 consulation on the English Derby.  The tickets are 2s 6d or £1 for the book containing nine, and are headed “London Mail Great Derby Sweep.”  We presume other residents of this district will receive similar tickets, and unless warned may lose their money by sending same to the “joints” who conduct this big affair.  The following we clip from a recent issue of the Sydney “Sun”: – Superintendent Roche, head of the Detective Office, desires to warn the public against subscribing to a sweep which is being conducted in Weggis, Switzerland, on the English Derby.  The chief of detectives knows a number of Australian magsmen who are now in London, and he is aware that they have been working the sweep trick on the public for a number of years.  In fact, the whole thing is on a par with the notorious Spanish swindle…   Mr. Roche’s warning comes at a time, no doubt, to prevent many hundreds who received tickets by the last English mail from subscribing to what he undoubtedly thinks is a shake-down scheme.    24/1/1914

SHAMUS O’BRIEN. – On Wednesday night next the star picture to be screened at Weatherby’s show should attract our friends of the Emerald Isle, being entitled “Shamus O’Brien.”  The programme will also include “Working for Hubby,”  “Mishaps of Bonehead,” “The Convict’s Daughter,” “Ice Fields of Alpha,” “The Gun Smugglers,” “A Fish Story,” “Long Whiskers and his nephew.”   24/1/1914

CONCERT. – A very high-class concert was given in the Moruya Mechanics’ Hall on Wednesday night by Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Lynch, of Narooma, assisted by Mrs. Kenningham and the best procurable talent in the district.  The concert was arranged on the shortest of short notices, and the excellent programme presented to the appreciative audience assembled reflects the highest credit on Mr. Bede Heffernan, the principal organiser, and those who assisted him.  The reason of the brief notice given of this high-class musical treat was due to the fact that two of the Lynch Family are pupils of the Bega Convent High School, and were due to return to the resumption of their studies on Monday next.  That those who had the good fortune to attend were delighted in the extreme was fully emphasised by the hearty rounds of applause and pronounced encores that greeted each performer retiring from the platform.  Although the Lynch family sisters were the star performers on the occasion, none of the other artists were ever heard in Moruya to greater advantage, notwithstanding the plea of “slight cold” or “sore throat”.  The manipulation of the two violins, banjo, mandoline and piano by the Misses Lynch quartette, was not only a surprise to many but a musical feast worth travelling many miles to hear.  Where all the vocalists did so exceptionally well it would be invidious to make special mention of any, but we will have to be pardoned by stating that the sweetist blending of two human voices we ever remember hearing was in the duet “Ye Banks and Braes” by Mrs S. Ryan and Miss C. Ryan.  If ever we have the happiness of getting within the Golden Gates we trust these two sweet songstresses will be among the Angelic  Choir.  Delightful harmony was also a marked feature of a second duet – “Nocturn” – rendered by the Misses Crowley.  At the conclusion of the concert the hall was cleared and a few hours enjoyable dancing indulged in…   24/1/1914

Sixteen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1913 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).