A glorious country? A debatable article and other news from 100 years ago

Featured image: Kiora Public School’s class of 1922

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 10 July 1920, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society

A GLORIOUS COUNTRY. Thus an exchange: “New South Wales is a glorious country, bounded on the north by taxes, on the south by strikes, on the east by the Arbitration Court, and on the west by the Trades Hall. It is noted for the high cost of living, trade unions, never-sweats, sport-worshippers, work-shunners, never-pays, horse racing, prize fighting, land and mining swindles, red tape and caucus rule. It is the best place on earth for drones and idlers, who readily respond to the beck and call of paid agitators, for whom the industrious and thrifty are taxed, taxed, taxed to desperation.”

KIORA SCHOOL.– In the hands of Mr. Louis, contractor, the new school building at Kiora is rapidly taking shape. When completed, it should make a substantial improvement in the appearance of things in the locality, besides meeting a long-felt need.

STATISTICS.– Following are the statistics recorded at the local Registrar’s Office for the quarter ending 30th June, 1920. 29 births, 12 deaths, 9 marriages: total 50.

SUBURBAN HOLDINGS.—Applications must be lodged at the local Crown Lands Office before the 3rd prox. For 25 acres of land at Congo for a suburban holding.

FOOTBALL.– The football match between Mogo and Moruya Football Clubs took place on Saturday last on the local ground. At the kick-off play became very fast and soon after the start Belette crossed for Mogo and Maloney added the extra points.  Moruya forwards then took the ball to Mogo’s twenty-five and after a succession of scrums Little secured and passed to Randle, who scored for Moruya near the corner. The kick at goal was unsuccessful. At half-time the scores were Mogo 5, Moruya 3. In the last half both Mogo and Moruya were very close to scoring. At the sound of the final whistle the scores were unaltered, Mogo winning by 5 points to 3. Moruya entertained the visitors after the match.

THE RULE OF THE ROAD.– A new traffic ordinance under the Local Government Act has been gazetted. It provides for the driving of vehicles, their loading and their lighting at night. It is now an offence to organise any procession or parade in any town without first getting the written permission of the council.

A curious anomaly under the old ordinance has been cured. Under that ordinance a perambulator was a vehicle and it was an offence for it to be taken on a footpath or to be on the streets at night without lights. Now it is specifically provide that “vehicle” shall not include a “perambulator, baby carriage, or invalid’s chair.” “Vehicle” however would still include a wheelbarrow, so that a person who takes a wheelbarrow through the street is bound to comply with all the traffic laws as to the side of the road and lighting.

The ordinance, if strictly construed, makes even the use of children’s scooters on the footpath an offence. Every bicycle must not only have a light at night, but also a rear red reflector.

OYSTER LEASE. CANDLEGUT CREEK. Lease No. 10831: Timothy Wray; Parish of Tomaga; County of St. Vincent; 300 yards. On the southern bank, adjoining the western end of the applicant’s oyster lease no. 7612. 10 years

EUROBODALLA SHIRE COUNCIL. CORRESPONDENCE.
– From Lands Dept. re application for permissive occupancy by Dr. Birmingham, of Narooma, for boat shed. Application approved.
– From L.G. Dept: re application by Ferryman Latta, of Bateman’s Bay, for an increase in his contract of 6/6 per week.  The clerk was instructed to notify Latta that the Government would not increase the amount of his contract, nor could the Council do so. The engineer and Cr. Annetts were authorised to interview Mr. Latta on the matter.
– From L.G. Dept. re increase of wages to Ferryman Bettini at Narooma.  The applicant to be informed that no alteration could be made until the motor power punt was installed.

WEDDING.  HENDERSON-CLARKE.  St. Peter’s Church, Coila was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Wednesday afternoon, 30th alt., when Rev. G. A. Sanders officiated at the marriage of Ivy Monica, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Clarke, of Coila, to Robert Henderson, (late A.I.F.) of Leura.  It is many years since a marriage ceremony was witnessed in the Coila Church (the first being that of the bride’s grandfather the late Mr. E. Gray), and on this occasion the purple and white colours of the bridegroom’s battalion, quite enhanced the pretty though simple decorations. The bride, who was given away by her father, was charmingly attired in a gown of ivory crepe-de-chine with an overdress of embossed net. The embroidered bridal veil was worn with a circlet of orange blossoms. She carried a beautiful shower bouquet of stocks, roses and asparagus fern, which (with the bridesmaid’s flowers) were arranged by Mrs. T. Davis. Miss Rene Clarke attended her sister as bridesmaid, wearing a most becoming frock of ivory ninon and shadow lace, finished with pink, and a pale pink crepe-de-chine hat ornamented with fancy braid. …Twenty one 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1919 are available ($6 to $8 ea) 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. 

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