Bushrangers raid Mr Hassall’s cattle and other news from 100 years ago

Featured image: Robbery Under Arms, Charles E. Hammond (1870-1953) / Public domain

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 3 April 1920, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society

PICTURE MAKING. – The Pacific Photography Co. is producing the picture “Robbery Under Arms” in Braidwood and district.  The company has a number of distinguished players, and the members have been daily engaged in the mountainous country to the south of Braidwood.  The “Dispatch” says that local residents have been assisting in the production.  Mr. R. G. Hassall and his popular son “Top” have given most valuable help in all directions.

Those who were fortunate enough to see the team of horses Mr. Hassall supplied for the mail coast “Sticking-up” incident, and the masterful way in which he handled them, need only be told that the same spirit of excellence has prevailed in the many departments in which he has come forward and helped. The local support in all the stunts where the true Australian horsemanship has had to be depicted has been of the very best, and carried out by Messrs. Rex (2), Keyte and Lupton.

Mr “Top” Hassall’s riding will be a distinct feature of the picture. Mr Hassall also rounded up 500 of his bullocks, upon which the bushranger’s made a raid.  The hold-up of the mail coach, driven by Mr. Hassall, on the Major’s Creek Mountain, by the bushrangers was carried out without a hitch.

MORUYA SHOW, 1920  …We were pleased to see that Mr. N Christensen’s Sterling of Darbalara, for which Mr. Christensen paid over 160 guineas at Mr Bate’s Double Creek clearance sale some two years ago, was in strong evidence, being awarded first and champion prize for best bull on the ground.

– Judging from his present conformation and general appearance Mr A. F. Emmott’s under three years old, recently purchased from Darbalara is likely to put up a big battle for championship honors at next year’s show. This animal secured first for bull two years and under. Mr A. Louttit’s Darbalara, by the Bodalla red Darbalara, getting second honors.

– Messrs R. Heffernan and Sons secured the majority of prizes amongst dairy Shorthorns. Including champion female beast.

– Mr. C. Irwin was the biggest prize winner in the Poultry section, Mr. J. E. Jauncey (Bega) coming next.

– Two animals that were very much admired at the Show were Mr. J. Keyte’s highly-bred stallion, Coolotta, and Mr. J. Coppin’s draught mare, the winner of seven first prizes, including three champion. This mare was bred by Mr. E. Bown, of Turlinjah.

– Mr Abe. Louttit, of Mullenderree, was the biggest winner of farm produce at the show. Mr Abe. Louttit had on view a button table pumpkin which turns the scale at 50lbs – some pumpkin, no doubt.

HONORS. – Out of the four under graduates only who succeeded in gaining French honors (Faculty of Arts, first year) at the Sydney University Exam, one was a Moruya girl, Miss Myrtle Colefax, daughter of Mr. W. J. Colefax. As this is one of the most difficult subjects to gain honors in, the pass is all the more creditable, and Miss Colefax is to be congratulated on her success.

FURNITURE SALE AT BODALLA. – Saturday, 10^th April 1920 at 2 p.m., on account of Mr Charles Johnson, carpenter of Bodalla.

H.J. Thomson, Auctioneer, of Moruya, has been instructed by Mr. Charles Johnson to sell – Carpenter’s tools of every description Household Furniture, Beds, Bedding, Kitchen Furniture, Crockery and Utensils, New Stove “Success”, 1 sulky, in first-class order.

EUROBODALLA SHIRE.  BATEMAN’S BAY FERRY.

Tenders are hereby invited from persons competent to run the BATEMAN’S BAY PUNT for a period of 12 months from the 5^thMay next.

Such Tenders will be received up to noon on TUESDAY the 13^th APRIL 1920.  The lowest of any Tender not necessarily accepted.

All things being equal, preference will be given to a Returned Soldier.  W. JERMYN.  Shire Clerk.

Twenty one 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1919 are available ($6 to $8ea) from the Museum.  Back copies of local newspapers can be viewed on microfilm at the Society’s Family History Research Library (Ph 4474 3224) situated at the rear of the Museum in Campbell St. Moruya.

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.

Click to read a copy of the current museum brochure.