A ‘leviathan’ stock dealer and an ‘opulent’ farmer – news from 100 years ago

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 1 July 1916, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

CONVALESCENT – We are pleased to report that Moruya’s leviathan stock dealer, Mr. Martin Keating, who has recently been seriously ill, is now almost as well as ever.

MARRIAGE – Private William R. Wood formerly of Yarranung (Bega) was married in Sydney last Saturday to Miss Wavish, prior to his departure for the front. His sisters, Mrs. J. T. Rogers and Mrs. W. H. Balmain, went up for the wedding.

RABBITS – The Bathhurst rabbit inspector reported to his board that trapping had reduced the pest for the present, but swarms of kittens would emerge from the deep warrens about September. Trappers usually retire and take up other callings until the following autumn.

TO THE FRONT – On Friday last Pvt. Arthur Thomson, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Thomson, of this town, embarked at Sydney for the front. Mrs. Thomson went to Sydney to see her son off, and on the following afternoon received a wire from him to say his ship had arrived at Melbourne.

HONOUR ROLL – Pte W. Ryan, son of Mr. M. Ryan of Runnyford, has enlisted and is now a gunner for the Field Artillery, and in camp at the Warren, Marrickville. For some time past Pvt. Ryan had been employed in the Postmaster General’s Department, and on leaving to go into camp was the recipient of a very handsome wristlet watch from his fellow employees.

TRAWLING – During a 4½day trip in the vicinity of Green Cape – the new southern grounds of the Government trawlers – the Gunundaal took 600 baskets of mixed fish, including 300 fine snapper, many of which were up to 14 lb in weight. This is close upon 16 tons of fish food. The Gunundaal had 68 snapper in one of her hauls. The largest haul was 4900 lb of which 3900 were edible.

HONOUR BOARD – The Honor Board which was unveiled in St. John’s Church on Sunday night last, is inscribed with the following names: – Other names have yet to be added. Leo De Saxe (wounded), Charles Wiggins, Mervyn Johnson, Ethelbert Jenner, William Mercer, Jack Drime, Lee Williams, Harry McDiarmid, F. Hutchings, Rex Burns, W. Gibbens, E. Hartmann, H. Player, C. DuRoss, A. Arnett, C. Arnett, G. Harrison, James Harrison, R. Greig, W. Revallion, C. Walter (fallen), Leybourne Johnson (fallen), H. Keyte, R. Keyte.

GREAT CROP – A crop pf maize on Bargo Flat, Warragaburra, is said to have yielded considerably over 100 bushels to the acre. This is part of the property recently purchased by Mr. Parberry. Lucky Charlie.

RAILWAY – We have received a pamphlet of 15 pages containing the Hon. Austin Chapman’s sworn evidence on the enquiry held as to the advisability or otherwise of constructing the Bomaderry to Captain’s Point railway. Our esteemed member makes out an excellent case in favor of the construction of this line and also one in favor of extending the railway right along the coast as far as Eden.

RETURNED – Mr. and Mrs. Fred Ryan, late of the Club House Hotel, who went to Sydney some short time back, have returned and have taken up their residence in Mrs. Egan’s cottage at Mullenderree. Mr. Ryan did not complete the purchase of Mrs. William’s Campbell St. cottage, and has forfeited his deposit.

STATISTICS – Our obliging C.P.S., Mr. Dixon, has kindly provided us with the following vital statistics for the quarter ending 30th June 1916. : – Births, 13 males, 10 females; total 23. Deaths, 7 males, 2 females; total 9. Marriages 6.

GOVERNMENT SAVINGS BANK – The financial year of the Government Savings Bank closed yesterday and interest will now be added to the depositors’ pass-books. All pass-books should be handed in to Mr. Dixon in order that they may be forwarded to Bega.

DEUA RIVER – (From our Correspondent.) Mr. Jim Turner, a son of our opulent farmer, Mr. G. Turner, has enlisted for active service abroad, passed the medical test and expects to enter the Kiama training camp next Tuesday. Jim, who has not yet attained his majority, intends to associate himself with the Army Medical Corps.

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).