One hundred years ago – 2 May, 1914

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

NAROOMA PUNT – A Narooma resident writes to say that owing to the punt rope breaking all traffic was suspended last week, causing considerable delay and annoyance. It is undoubtly time that some steps should be taken to have a bridge erected across this river, and sink the obsolete punt now in use.   2/5/1914

GOOD CATCHES – After a short cruise on Saturday last Mr. V.W. McCauley returned in his launch with 40 large schnapper; Mr. J. Davis also landing the same day 30 of these choice fish.   2/5/1914

LOCAL COURT – At the local Court of Petty Session before Mr. G. Shepherd, P.M., on Monday. A “sailor bold” was mulcted in the sum of £4, and 6d cost, or two months hard labor in Goulburn gaol for indecent language. Fine paid. …Information was laid by James Ball against William John Crapp, for entering into enclosed land without permission. After hearing the evidence the Magistrate decided that he had no jurisdiction in the case. …Under the Industrial Arbitration Act, Albert Lynch and G. Chewying were each fined 11s and 16s costs for not keeping necessary time sheets in connection with their employees.   2/5/1914

CHALLENGE CUP – Emmott Brothers have on view in their shop window the handsome silver cricket Challenge Cup on an oak plinth. On the Cup is inscribed “Moruya District Cricket Association Challenge Cup,” and on the plinth “Won by Bateman’s Bay, 1913-14.” This beautiful trophy will be held by the Bay club until a rival district team proves a prior right to it, when another shield will be affixed to the plinth with the name of the winning club and date.   2/5/1914

SAME OLD FATE – At the time of going to press the Hillmeads, with Capt. Reid in charge, was on a sandbank near Garlantown.   2/5/1914

TO THE EDITOR MORUYA “EXAMINER” – Sir, – The local residents and the travelling public have been greatly inconvenienced of late through the working of the Narooma ferry. Within the last three weeks the rope has been broken twice.

On the first occasion the traffic was held up for about 12 hours, and had it not been for the prompt attention of energetic “Jim” O’Connor, with the assistance of foreman Harry Bettini, the delay would have been considerably longer.

The second occasion, nearly a fortnight later, the traffic was suspended for forty eight hours. This time a rope was secured from the I.S.N Co’s steamer Benandra, otherwise the old punt may have had a lengthy holiday.

If the Council have control of the maintenance of the ferry it is quite time it woke up to its responsibilities and remedy this annoying suspension in future. Why not place a spare cable on hand as soon as the working rope shows signs of wear? If a spare cable was on hand at all times the punt would probably not be out of commission longer than an hour.

TRAVELLER                                                      2/5/1914

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).