One hundred years ago – 23 May

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

BATEMAN’S BAY (From our Correspondent) – Much concern has been created in the Bay this week owing to the stoppage of our principal industry, the spoke factory. It is already a regrettable occurrence that such a business as this should be lying idle, even for a temporary period. Few residents of the South Coast are cognizant of the fact that a business with a capacity such as this one has ever existed in our midst. When it is considered that it is a plant of the latest type, and experts say one that cannot be equalled, and certainly cannot be surpassed anywhere south of the line, it is deplorable to see it out of work. It is capable of employing 30 hands inside the mill, and, roughly, another 20 outside, which would mean to the district at least £100 weekly, and return to the owners a handsome profit. The machinery alone in this concern is valued at or about £500, and there are enough orders on the books, without anything more coming in, to keep her in full swing for twelve months. The district is teeming with timber suitable for the requirements, yet with all these facilities and a lucrative trade staring them in the face it is standing still today. What can be said of it but that there is a wicked mismanagement somewhere, and the sooner the present owners close it permanently the better, and give place to men with a knowledge of business ideas. No blame is attributable to the local manager, as it is a well-known fact that there is no employee in the Commonwealth of Australia who takes more interest in his employer’s business than the same Mr. Gorman.   May 23, 1914

FOOTBALL – The first match of the season for the Challenge Cup (held by Moruya) was played last Saturday against Bateman’s Bay. Continuous rain spoilt any attempt at combined play, and the forwards of both sides had the game practically to themselves. The Moruya lads, although much lighter than their opponents, played well considering the state of the ground and the “heavy”? training they did for this match. A very evenly contested game ended in a draw, 3 all. For the Bay Monie (fullback), saved his side repeatedly, and all the forwards played up well, whilst “Rink” Ryan was again to the fore for Moruya, while Debenham, Sullivan and Rankin also put in some fine work for the locals and “Off Side Billy” again scored a couple of “Nerrigundah” tries, but forgot to arrange matters with the referee. Mr. Frank Knight gave entire satisfaction as umpire. After the match an excellent dinner was partaken of at McCauley’s Hotel, where the visitors were entertained.   23/5/1914

“Has the tango reached here yet?” queried the city visitor. “No,” said Mr. Wayback,” but we have nearly every pest, and I suppose this tango is bound to attack us.”

23/5/1914

LIFE IS FULL OF TOIL and trouble,

If you make it so,

And one’s worries all seem double

When you welcome woe.

Don’t be always meeting sorrow,

Look the other way;

Take Wool’s Peppermint cure to-morrow

You’ll be bright and gay.         23/5/1914

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).