A war time solution to bad behaviour and distinguished guests to ‘the Bay’

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of this time in 1915, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

THE BAD AT THE FRONT – Something is said about the weeding-out of “undesirables” – drunks and gamblers, and soldiers who howl at night, and fellows who haunt the back streets of Cairo during the dark hours and wink at Egyptian girls – from the Australian forces in Egypt. These dubious characters, it is alleged, are to be sent back to Australia in disgrace, so that they may marry undesirably, and rear undesirable families, while the good men go to the front, and do battle with the Turk, and are shot by Abdul Fez.

This idea that the worst citizen should be carefully preserved from destruction, and get a free passage home to the place where he used to be a nuisance, and become one of the fathers of the community, and help to make our laws, and even go into Parliament, while the best citizen is killed, looks like an absurdity. Every undesirable who is already in the force should be carefully preserved. Every criminal, hunchback, forger, or other bad character who seeks to enlist should be enlisted with enthusiasm.

The drunkard should be taken on the evidence of his breath and his nose. The worst scoundrels should have extra pay, if necessary; and extra special uniforms, and on the day of battle they should go first, being the folk who can best be spared. They would certainly kill somebody before they died – “Bulletin”. 13/3/1915

THE SUPPLIERS of the Corunna Cheese Factory have unanimously resolved to donate a day’s milk, or a day’s cheese, to the Belgians and also to make regular monthly donations. 13/3/1915

MR. T. MITCHELL’S Studebaker motor car made a name for itself last week by flying up Larry’s and Araluen Mountains with six passengers and driver, to the Braidwood show and races and doing the trip, actual running time, in about 3 hours… 13/3/1915

BATEMAN’S BAY (From our Correspondent).- Included in the list of visitors at the Clyde Hotel this week were Sir Allen and Lady Taylor accompanied by Mrs. Stuart. The party were met at the Bay by Mr. G.H. James, Moruya. Sir Allen’s trip is of a semi-private nature. He left Sydney early Sunday morning and journeyed via Goulburn, Canberra and Braidwood, arriving at the Bay about 4 o’clock, having had the misfortune to encounter the westerly dust storm, so severe was it that on numerous occasions the car had to be stopped, the driver finding it impossible to see where he was going. Immediately on arrival Sir Allen proceeded to discharge his cargo of dust in Brookes’ swimming baths.

This being done and getting his vision cleared he was desirous of having a look round the Bay and inquiring about the different industries. Mr. James showed him round. As Sir Allen is a man who is charged to the finger tips with energy and progressiveness, he was much interested in the various little workings here. Whether he passed his magnetic wand over the place or gave it a push, new life has been infused in the Bay already, and it is hoped that he will visit this district often…13/3/1915

Seventeen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1914 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).

Our latest publication entitled Kiora Kith and Kin, by Shirley Jurmann is also now available from the Society.