Pretty Churches, A Returned Hero and Council Updates – News From 100 Years Ago

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 6 November 1915, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

FAREWELL – A pleasant afternoon was spent at their pretty Coila Church on Friday last, when a representative number of our Presbyterian friends from different parts of the parish met together to say farewell to the Rev. C. F. McAlpine, who has spent an arduous month in their midst. Mr. John Greig on behalf of the congregation presented a gold-mounted fountain pen to the departing minister, who in a happy speech, thanked the donors for their present and for their kindness to him.

MUMPS – After being visited by more than our fair share of influenza, tonsillitis, measles, hives, and a complaint of lessor virulence in the form of skin eruption, we are now called upon to face that horrible disease called “mumps.” Mr. Fred Gardiner was down with this complaint in a very bad form.

RETURNED HERO – On Monday night Moruya was honored by the return of a district reared hero, who had fallen wounded at the front of the battle fighting in the defence of his King and country. This brave soldier was Private Edward J. Lynch (son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Lynch, of the Coronation Hotel, Narooma, and brother of Mr. Leo P. Lynch, of the Criterion Hotel, Mullenderree, Moruya). On Tuesday Pt. Lynch left for his parent’s home at Narooma, and last night (Friday), was to return to Moruya on his way back to Sydney to report himself.

Lieut. Rupert Cork, of Milton writing from Gallipoli, in the course of a discursive letter says:-

“ One of the best men in my troops is Rupert McCarthy. I found out a few days ago that he came from Nelligen. I saw him address a letter to Nelligen. I then asked him how he would like one of White’s beers. His eyes fairly poked out of his head. There is also a Dent and a Drury here from Nelligen. Private Rupert McCarthy is a son of Mr. and Mrs. W. McCarthy of Fairview, Nelligen.

LATEST WAR WIRES – Friday 10.30 a.m. Hughes announced in the Federal Parliament last night that the Referendum Vote had been postponed until after the war.

EUROBODALLA SHIRE COUNCIL  – The following is a synopsis of the business transacted at the last meeting of Shire Council on the 2^nd inst. There were present Crs. Flood (President), R. M. Bate, J.E. Hawdon, J. R. Milne and T Taylor.

Dredge: A minute from the President, re the reported removal of the dredge Eta to the Northern Rivers, was read, and on the motion of Crs. Hawdon and Taylor it was decided to take action, and strongly represent to the Department the necessity for continuing a dredge permanently in the Moruya and Narooma Rivers.

Name change: A Petition from Leo P. Lynch and others, requesting the Council that the settlement north of the Moruya River be changed to North Moruya in lieu of Mullenderree. It was decided that in the opinion of the Council it is not desirable to make the alteration asked.

Wallaga Lakes: Letter from Mumbulla Shire Council stating that the mouth of Wallaga Lake threatens to become choked up and for that reason the Council has set aside a sum not exceeding £20 for expenditure in opening same, providing your Council contributes half the cost and asking that the matter be treated as urgent. The Council decided that Mumbulla Council be asked to obtain the required permission to carry out the work, and in the event of same being obtained, that a sum of £5 be voted to assist with the work.

Shire swimming baths: On the recommendation of the sub-committee a set of regulations for the management of Shire swimming baths were adopted, amongst which the following hours for using same were approved : Males – 5 a.m. to 9 30 a.m. ; females – 10 a.m. to 4 15 p.m. ; males 4 30 p.m. to 8 p.m. No mixed bathing on any account to be permitted.

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 Museum in Campbell St. Moruya (www.mdhs.org.au).

A New DVD entitled Soldiers of the Eurobodalla, Stories of our Locals is also now available from the Society.