No luck for Mr Luck – and other news from 100 years ago.

Featured image: C. Irwin seems to be an earlier version of Gordon Warren, a moruya man who won many prizes for his poultry. Cups, trophies, plaques and ribbons won by mr Warren are in our museum’s collection..

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 12 June 1920, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society

RISE IN CHEESE.– A prices order was issued in Melbourne on Friday increasing the price of cheese, both wholesale and retail, by 1½d per lb. The order took effect from Monday and applies to all States.

SACCALINE AND SUDAN GRASS.—A trial of the above fodders were carried out on Mr. J. H. Martin’s farm during the past season with splendid results. The Sudan grass was sown in October 27, the first cut was taken on February 10, when the crop stood about seven feet high, and yielded at the rate of 14 tons to the acre; the second crop was cut at the end of April, and was of much finer quality than the preceding cut; it yielded at the rate of 7¼ tons to the acre. The Saccaline under favourable conditions attained a height of 14 feet, and gave the record yield of over 36 tons per acre, individual heads of seed weighing over half-a-pound. Both these fodder crops and highly recommended to dairy farmers and others. _ “Pambula Voice”

The repairs to the steamer Aughinish, which struck an unknown reef off Montague Island while coming to Sydney from Port Pirie, are expected to run into between £40,000 and £50,000.

New York merchants have commenced a price cutting craze, and reduction of from 20 to 25 per cent. In the prices of clothing and other cotton goods are advertised.  It is a pity the craze would not spread to Australia.

Australian rabbit and opossum skins brought the highest prices on record at American fur sales this winter. Australian rabbit skins, which, when made up, are popular under the name of toney seal, were sold up to 16s 8d a lb., and for opossum pelts from 14s to 16s a skin was paid.

A BAD TIME.– Mr. Frank Luck, who had two of his fingers taken off by a circular saw about six weeks ago, is still nursing the injured hand. Another finger which was partly severed is causing a lot of trouble, and the Doctor is endeavouring to save its amputation.

MOGO (From our Correspondent)

– Its about time the community woke up—not only here, but all along the line—otherwise they will wake up and find themselves like the man in goal, hemmed in.  A pastoral lease of 17,000 acres now applied for, if granted, is going to give serious trouble in the near future, a fact not be denied when we remember the land scandals of other parts of NSW. A public meeting of protest was held in Mogo, when the situation and consequences were discussed and the decision of the meeting forwarded to the Minister for Lands.  What do our local governing bodies think of these Pastoral Leases? The result of timber dispute, it is hoped, will bring about big changes and improvements; and also the inquiries into land matters generally, giving a prospect of more sore heads than is caused by heavy-weight Jack Frost and other climatic conditions.

– Our local footballers need to acquire the nack of some luck, when they saunter forth to test the mettle and ability of other teams. Saturday last, playing against Bodalla team, out chaps were defeated.

MORUYA POULTRY SHOW.

The fourth Annual Show under the auspices of the local Poultry Club was held in the A. & P. Society’s pavilion on Wednesday, and considering the limited time in which the fanciers had to fatten up and groom their special pets, there was an excellent display of birds. The hall was transformed for the occasion and was fitted up with poultry pens in the centre, which gave the public an opportunity of viewing the fowls from all points… Mr C. Irwin, who was successful in securing the Reserve Champion with his handsome Barred Rock hen, had no less than 23 birds competing….

WATTLE BARK. Despite the increased input of hides by tanners the demand for bark continues very slack and as arrivals from the South Coast are unusually heavy prospects point to a further reduction in values.  The bulk of the bark in brokers’ hands is of indifferent quality, sapling strippings preponderating.  Tanners are always averse to the purchase of this class and to effect sales late quotations are likely to be materially reduced.  Mouldy lines are also difficult to sell.  We quote best chopped £14 to £15, fair £13 to £13.10s, light £10 to £12, very light £8 to £9 per ton.

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.