Kitchen Teas and the Dardanelles – News from 100 years ago

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

Honor Roll – Mr George Walter, post and telegraph master of this town, received the sad intelligence by wire on Saturday through the Rev. Mr. Rix, that his son, Corporal Clement Wallace, had been killed in action at the Dardanelles. This young hero, whose age was 24 years was born at Candelo, and was the third son of Mr. Walter. Previous to enlisting he was engaged in a store at Lismore, and was a most enthusiastic cricketer and footballer and an all-round athlete. The Rev. Mr. Rix made feeling reference to the sad fatality at early communion on Sunday morning. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to Mr. and Mrs Walter and Family. 26/6/15

Oats Cultivation – Mr. H. J. Thomson is so satisfied with the benefits he is receiving this winter from a stock of clean wholesome oaten chaff grown by himself last year on a small area of land that he is now having fourteen acres at the “Brae” ploughed and sown with oats by Mr. Harry Ball. It is to be hoped that the farmers of this district will be induced by the high price of hay and chaff to cultivate sufficient for local consumption and not have so much of our ready cash going out of the district year after year for inferior foreign production. 26/6/15

Send Off – On next Friday night, the 2nd of July, a send off in the shape of a social and dance will be tendered to Mr. and Mrs Rowland Vagg prior to their departure from the district. Altho Mr. Vagg’s ambition has never induced him to seek notoriety by having his name emblazoned on public committees, himself his wife and their purse have always been in the firing line when ever a charge has been made to lift the district above the dormant state in which it has so long been held by our enemies of progress, and in efforts of a charitable nature both these old residents of the town have always most willingly assisted. We expect to see a bumper house on the occasion. Owing to ill health Mr. Vagg has been compelled to retire from the business of his life-time, blacksmithing, and go on the land. With this end in view he has taken a farm at Brogo, near Bega, and purposes leaving for there early next month. 26/6/15

Linen Tea – Miss Grant of the local Public School, was the guest at a “linen tea” on Saturday afternoon, Mrs G.H. James and Miss Webster being the hostesses. The delightful little function (which was arranged to show the bride- elect a special mark of appreciation on the eve of her approaching marriage with Mr. Sherlock) took place at Mrs James’ pretty home, “Lynwood”. During the afternoon a guessing competition provoked much amusement, the prize being awarded to Mrs Hall, (sister of the Rev. A. G. Rix,) Mrs G. Cheesman securing the second trophy. The daintiest of delectable refreshments were then partaken of, after which Mrs James in a neat little speech wished Miss Grant every happiness and asked of her to accept the handsome and useful presents which were then showered upon her. The bride-elect, who said she was completely taken by surprise, gracefully thanked the hostesses and many friends. 26/6/15

The paper also records a Kitchen tea given for Miss Grant by the St John’s Church choir members and that Miss Grant was one of the Secretaries for the up and coming Church of England Ball. Obviously one busy lady.

Cadgee – The Deputy Postmaster General advises Mr Austin Chapman that the necessary line having been completed, a telephone office will be established at Cadgee on the 15th inst., under the charge of the Receiving Office Keeper, Mrs. E. Egan. 26/6/15

Nelligen Church – A concert and ball is announced at Nelligen for Friday, July 23rd, in aid of the Church of England Building Fund. The old church is so eaten with white ants it is judged to be unsafe, so the church people have decided to reconstruct it or replace it with a new structure. The arrangements for the effort is in the capable hands of Mr. J. Neate with a strong committee. The concert programme will include many artists new to Nelligen from Moruya and other parts in addition to the local artists.

Sixteen ‘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.