One hundred years ago – 28 February

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

GARAGE – Mr. George Harrison, who was the first to introduce passenger motor cars into Moruya, is now placing over £300 worth of machinery into his Moruya garage.  Mr. Harrison and his two sons, all three expert drivers, have become very popular with the travelling public, with the result that Mr. Harrison is rapidly extending his business and it is predicted that before very long the whole coast from Eden to Nowra will be connected by his cars.   28/2/1914

GARBAGE TIP – The Shire Council should move at once for the selection of a garbage tip and the appointment of a carter.  At present there is no recognised tip, as far as we know, and for many months there has been no recognised scavenger, with the result that householders have been obliged to get rid of their rubbish the best way they could and, naturally they deposit it in the most convenient place possible, which is over the river bank above the old town baths.  Making this place a garbage tip is a crying shame to those with authority to prevent it.   28/2/1914

CLOSE CALL – On Saturday last Mr. V.W. McCauley, “Cook” Lynch and a tea traveller named McKenzie, had a most miraculous escape from a watery grave.  It appears that the trio left the Criterion Hotel at 3 a.m. on the day in question in McCauley’s oil launch for a day’s deep-sea fishing, and everything going right safely negotiated the bar and were soon amongst the schnapper, several large ones being successfully hooked and safely landed on board the little craft.  During the day however the wind got up and a great sea arose which tossed the ship around like a cockle shell.  Although the engine was put at full speed little headway could be made against the buffeting waves and lashing spray, and by the time the bar was reached a tremendous sea was breaking right across it.  To make matters worse the launch had got too close up to slue, and with three great waves following in succession close in her wake there was no alternative but dash ahead into the wild breakers foaming and roaring across the bar.  Just as the crew got soaked to the skin and the boat partly filled the first of three mighty seas lifted her towards the southern side, she was then immediately caught by the second and carried over to the end of the breakwater when Captain “Mac” left the tiller calling out “It’s all over with us boys!”  Fortunately, just at this critical moment the last of the three big waves appeared on the scene and striking the helpless craft turned her like a top from off the end of the breakwater wall and carried her almost as high as the pilot’s residence (“Cook” says as high as the flagstaff) right into the river.  It was the first time on record that the intrepid Vin’s heart failed him and the brave “Cook” was heard to pray.   28/2/1914

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS- ADELAIDE – The Aurora reached anchor at 3 o’clock yesterday.  The exploring party are all well.  Mawson said last night that Biological material obtained is the best taken from the Antarctic.  Operations were extended two miles below the sea.  It was very remarkable that fish and animals of all kinds were discovered, many important discoveries being made.  Nearly everything was new to science.  Mawson said they had very trying times at Adele Land.  The place is the worst climate in the world.  The winds were terrific, very little sledging being undertaken this year.  Mawson had a marvellous escape when returning to above after the deaths of Minnis and Meitz.  He was 30 days regaining the base and was reduced to the last stages of exhaustion…  28/2/1914

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).