Mr. A. H. Preddey received information on Monday from Dorman, Long and Co., requesting him to have his cottage at “Tuffwood” placed in readiness for their manager, who, with his wife and nine children, was leaving by the Bateman’s Bay steamer on Thursday.

Unless good general rains soon fall, the rural position in the Far South Coast and southern Monaro will be serious. Herbage is rapidly drying off, and crops are making very poor growth. House-hold water supplies are exhausted in many places.

The Captain of the steamer Narani says that he never remembers a year like this has been for strong winds.

We have now definite information that the “Advance Guard” of Messrs. Dorman, Long and Co’s employees will arrive in Moruya early next week. Mr. J. A. Gilmore, quarry manager, with his wife and nine children, Mr. Morrison, assistant, with wife and three children, and Mr. Davidson, assistant, will be at Bateman’s Bay from 7^th to the 11^th inst., when they will come on to Moruya. Mr. Martin, the Company’s manager in Sydney, Mr. Blake, chief civil engineer, and Mr. Ferguson, chief Mechanical Engineer, will be here on Tuesday, the 11^th inst., on a flying trip of general inspection, and to make arrangements for starting work at the granite quarry. Mr. A. Martin writes, under date 3^rd November: “Now that we are practically ready for commencing operations down at Moruya, we sincerely trust that a move will be made by builders to erect accommodation.”

Mr. A. H. Preddey and his gracious wife appear to have a particular penchant for giving pleasure to children, as they simply revel in the enjoyment of the little ones. On Friday of last week these good citizens celebrated the 13^th birthday of their only daughter, Marie, by inviting the children of the district to a social afternoon and evening in the Amusu Theatre. … A large and elaborately iced cake, made by Mrs. L. T. Jenner in honor of the event, graced the centre of the gaily decorated table. After a few hours of dancing and games, Mr. Preddey entertained the little ones, their parents and friends, with some beautiful and interesting pictures, the films unreeled being specially obtained for the auspicious occasion. The young hostess, who is a particularly favorite with her school-mates, was the recipient of a lovely assortment of presents.

Kirton and Earnshaw’s sawmill at Ryan’s Creek, which is managed by Mr. Eric Davis, was burnt to the ground on Saturday night between the hours of 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. Sunday morning. No doubt this will mean a great loss to the owners and contractors connected, but much greater to the men employed at the same.

Extracted from the Moruya Examiner by the Moruya and District Historical Society Inc.