Labor scrutineers, steamships and football – 27 June, 1914

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

NEW STEAMER – The s.s. “Bodalla,” which is being built for the Illawarra and South Coast S.N. Co., Ltd., by Messrs. Morrison and Sinclair, of Balmain, is expected to be launched about the third week in July, and will be in commission in October. The “Bodalla” is a twin screw passenger and cargo steamer of 550 tons and is a sister ship to the “Benandra.” The policy of the Company in arranging for passenger accommodation even in the smallest of their vessels, and which has found favour with the general public, has been followed in the “Benandra” and “Bodalla”. The “Bodalla” has been built expressly for the Moruya and Narooma trade, and as her name implies, special provisions have been made for the carriage of cheese. She will, like the “Benandra,” carry a large dead weight of cargo on a light draught. The contract speed of the vessel is 9 knots loaded, and it is expected that she will do this comfortably.   27/6/1914

DEUA RIVER (From our Correspondent). – The pending Federal elections are being greatly discussed locally, and the critical day promises to be one brimful of excitement. There are here many loyal and enthusiastic supporters of both the Labor and the Liberal parties – the latter slightly holding sway! “Joe,” the Socialist, is still in our midst, and is as keen on politics as ever. For the last two elections “Joe” has held the exalted position here of scrutineer for the Labor candidate. It is not unusual to see “Joe” a few days before an election going the rounds after votes. “Joe” has a great pal in an enthusiast from Mullenderree, and these two are constantly seen vying with one another when there is a vacillating voter about, so I am told. Our Mullenderree friend visited this centre during the last State elections and promised that if the Labor candidate topped the poll a pedagogue would be immediately sent from the Education Department to fill the vacancy at Snaphook. The Labor candidate topped the poll, but no teacher has yet arrived. 27/6/1914

FOOTBALL, MORUYA V. TILBA TILBA For the McCauley Challenge Cup (From our Correspondent). – A large crowd assembled on the show ground on Saturday afternoon to witness the return match between Tilba and Moruya for the McCauley Cup. It was some time after the appointed hour (3 p.m.) when the play started, and being bitterly cold, there was a bit of grumbling on the part of the spectators.

From the start both sides made things lively and within five minutes Moruya were penalised for off-side, Coles landing a good penalty goal. Tilba 3, Moruya nil. Play still continued very willing, both sides indulging in passing rushes, the ball travelling rapidly up and down the field, till from scrum men halfway Debenham secured for Moruya, beating several men, passed to McDiarmid, who ran well and transferred to Sullivan, who dashed across and secured Moruya’s first try, this was the gem of the game, the excitement being intense….

Moruya 6 Tilba 3. Towards the close play became very exciting, first Tilba then Moruya having the upper hand, the full-time whistle sounding with play in neutral ground and scores unchanged. The Moruya team played very evenly, no single man being above his fellows. Debenham captained the visitors with Graham vice. All the Tilba men played good football, the most prominent being Morris, W. Grumley, Ward, Sebbens, Endicott and Parkins. The dinner, or judging from the display of good things served up might more appropriately be termed a banquet, was held in the large dining room of the Tilba Hotel…27/6/1914

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).