Examiner Editor Against Conscription – News from 100 years ago

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 15 December 1917, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

CONSCRIPTION REFERENDUM – On Thursday next the people of the Commonwealth are asked to record their votes for or against Conscription for over-seas as propounded by Mr. Hughes, Prime Minister. Everyone who has been given the right to vote should go to the poll and exercise it, fully satisfying his or her conscience in the direction in which it is recorded. We have studied the question from every conceivable standpoint, but cannot bring ourselves to force non-combatants to take up arms and fight against their will.

FIRE – On Tuesday night last Mr. Rowley Hassal’s fine at “Glendarnel,” Braidwood, were totally destroyed by fire, together with a quantity of valuable harness and saddlery.

BODALLA RED CROSS – The members of the Bodalla Red Cross Society are holding a grand ball on December 26th to raise funds for a big day’s sports to take place on Anniversary Day in aid of the Australian Red Cross.

CHILDREN’S FETE – This year the Moruya Convent School will wind up for the Xmas holidays by a Children’s Fete, in lieu of the Annual Concert. The function opened yesterday, and will be continued this Saturday up to 10 p.m.

PROMOTION – A private cable announces that the Hon. Austin Chapman’s youngest son Jack has been promoted to the rank of Major. He has had two years in the thick of the fighting, was badly gassed in one battle, but after four months in hospital returned to the trenches. He is one of the youngest majors in the army, being only in his twentieth year.

PROMOTION – Norman Corkhill who left Australia as a private has worked himself upon the field step by step until now he enjoys the title of Captain. Our young warrior is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Corkhill of Tilba Tilba.

DEATH – Very sincere sympathy was expressed in Moruya for Mr. John Keir, of Tilba, when news came through that his wife had died in Sydney. Mr. Kier at once started, via Bega, to catch the train at Cooma for Sydney. The deceased lady was a daughter of Mr. Martin, who managed a Mount Dromedary mine many years ago, and later on was the manager of the Wamban Little Gem gold mine, residing during the time in one of Mr. W. Constable’s cottages at Gundary, Moruya.

A LIFE SAVED – Through the expertness and pluck of Master Edwin Hartman of Gundary, Moruya, young Garnett, son of George Chew Ying, storekeeper of Queen Street, was rescued from a watery grave on Sunday last. It appears that the lad was playing with others close to the deep pond near the river, which is situated a short distance below the lower town wharf, at present used as a swimming bath by the public, and either accidentally fell or was pushed into the pond on the river side where the water is dangerously deep. Garnett, who was fully clothed, had gone to the bottom for the third time when Master Edwin Hartman, attracted by the agonising screeches of children who had witnessed the accident, appeared on the scene and, without waiting to divest himself of his clothing, dived down, boots and all and soon appeared on the surface with the almost drowned Garnet, whom he brought to terra firma.

BATEMAN’S BAY – (From our Correspondent).

– An Accident which has cast quite a gloom over the village, occurred on Sunday evening about 8 o’clock. Mr. Shinfield, of the Benandra Public School, was out on his motor bike accompanied by Miss Edna McKee, when opposite the Police Station, in order to avoid collision with some stray horses he swerved to the right but was unsuccessful in preventing a capsize. Both were rendered unconscious, Miss McKee was in a serious condition until Tuesday. Dr. Quilter remained during the night and for a time held out little hope. Thanks to all round assiduous care she is now conscious and it is hoped the worst has passed.

– On Sunday about noon Cr. Jos. Sebbens, when returning from church met with an accident. Happily no bones were broken but Mr. Sebbens had a severe shaking. His horse took fright at a motor bike, bolted, and smashed up the sulky.

Eighteen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1916 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).

The Moruya Museum houses a collection of furniture, books, artefacts and memorabilia that is intended to show visitors something of the lives of the ordinary people of this community from the middle of the nineteenth century. Most items on display were donated by local families.

To explore the museum’s online collection click HERE.