A message in a bottle and news from the front – some of the news from 100 years ago

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 24 June 1916, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

RIFLEMEN are reminded that the annual general meeting of the Moruya Rifle Club takes place in the Shire Hall on June 29.

FOR LEASE – Mr Harrison has for lease the spacious and comfortable residence, situated at the top of Campbell Street, and at present occupied by Mr. Kable, Forester,

SAW MILL – Mr. A. H. Peddy of the Wagonga saw mills, has taken over Mr. Graham’s Moggendourra saw mills and intends catering for the local trade. We wish our new speculator every success.

MEMORIAL SERVICE – The postponed memorial service to the late Lord Kitchener will be held in the St. John’s Church on Sunday night. The honor-board placed in the church as a memorial to those of this district who have fallen in the war will be unveiled at this service.

GOVERNMENT TRAWLERS – A growl from Eden: Thus the Eden “Magnet” :- “Two trawlers have for over a week been working around Twofold Bay, and at times have been fishing within the heads. As a result local fishermen say that fish are not as plentiful as they should be. It is certainly not fair for these boats to enter into competition with those working from ports along the coast. There is plenty of ground for trawlers to work without interfering with the already established fishing industry.”

FROM THE SEA – Last week Mr Hilton Little picked up a bottle on Broulee beach which opened contained the following, written on the inside of a cigarette packet: – “Good-bye Australia fair! Going to fight for King and country. The one who picks this up keep till I come back. Pte. J. E. Maubon, 5th of the 19th Reinforcements. 7th October, 1915. 27 Grosvenor Street, Neutral Bay, Sydney.

TOWN TALK

– That Pvt. Fred Morris, youngest son of Mr. M. Morris, of this town, is amongst the list of those reported ill at the front.
– That Mrs. F. Smith, of the Narooma Hotel, has six brothers serving at the front.
– That after 18 years close residence the “Examiner” regards Mr. and Mrs. R. Knight and family as truly Christian neighbours.
– That Mr. Edward (Ted) Graham and Miss Winifred (Winnie) Herbert booked a “double” with Rev. Mr. Rix at St. John’s on Wednesday night. It came off all right.
– That the Moruya “Examiner” printing plant is being moved into more comfortable quarters in Campbell Street.

INDUCTION– The Presbytery of Monaro will meet at the Presbyterian Church, Moruya, on WEDNESDAY, 28th JUNE, to induct the Rev. E. S. Henderson into the Pastorate. Service at 7.30p.m. Collection for the Presbytery Fund. Welcome meeting at 9 p.m. All cordially invited.

CHAS. F. McALPINE, Moderator

FROM THE FRONT – Mrs. J. Keyte of Turlinjah is in receipt of the following from her eldest son, Pvt. Harry Keyte: –

                                                                                                                              France, April 29, ‘16

A few lines in answer to your most welcome letter dated 26th Jan. Was glad all was well as I am at present. This is a lovely country after Egypt. The trees and hedges are just growing leaves, and buttercups and daisies in the field, but I have never heard the birds sing, perhaps the guns have frightened them away. We have the twilight for quite a long while after the sun goes down. We have had a lot of rain but now it is beautiful and fine. This country is one large farm. I have seen women ploughing and doing all kinds of farm work that men do in Australia. They are not in the least afraid of the guns. I have not seen young Burns since I wrote to you last, but Martin Berg is here in the same lot as I. He is a Major’s Creek boy, his father was postmaster there; also saw Doyle who used to ride for Jack Stewart. The English and French draught horses are the best I have ever seen, although too big for a teamster. The French horses are very fat, our heavy horses look very small alongside of them.

Seventeen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1915 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).