100 Years Ago – 6 March 1926

Mr. H. J. Bate, M.L.A., is in receipt of the following from Dept. of Education: – “With reference to your representations regarding the condition of the Public School premises, at Newstead, I have to inform you that the necessary improvements and renovations are classed amongst the specially urgent cases listed for attention. It might also be stated that the teacher has been authorized to make the necessary arrangements for improving the water supply. Your correspondent is Mr. L. T. Jenner, President of the Parents’ and Citizens’ Association, Newstead, via Moruya.”

Sixteen cases of diptheria have been reported within this Shire during the past few weeks. Five persons have been proven germ carriers and have been isolated.

Mr. A. H. Weatherby hashad the old blacksmith’s shop in Church St. [Moruya] demolished preparatory to enlarging his garage and erecting new shops on his allotment at the corner of Queen and Church Streets.

Little Frank, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Bettini, of Mullenderree [Moruya], had passed away after many weeks of suffering. The poor little fellow had his leg amputated in Sydney Hospital a short time ago. The funeral will take place today.

Nerrigundah. (From our Correspondent.) Wednesday, the 17th February, 1926, will long be remembered by all those who fought the fires at Nerrigundah – on that day never in the history of the gold field had there been such raging flames witnessed. On Monday the fire started about Deep Creek and swept through O’Toole’s paddocks quickly spreading over the hills towards the town. The residents turned out and fought it back from the battery and kept it on the hills until Wednesday when a strong Westerly wind drove it right into town. It swept down the gully towards the court house and school of Arts, and the police station was soon alight. Luckily there were several tanks of water on the premises and W. Grogan managed to save the building. The out houses at the public school were on fire, and the Presbyterian Church was alight in three places. The R. C. Church had a narrow escape, flames from the scrub at the back flew right over the building. W. Guest and J. Camden managed to save them with the water from the school tank. Gildea’s blacksmith shop and Grogan’s Hut were totally destroyed. It is hard to estimate the total damage done to fencing. The cemeteries were swept bare, and also were many paddocks. Cattle will have a bad time as the fire has made a clean sweep of all scrub and grass for miles around.

Extracted from the Moruya Examiner by the Moruya and District Historical Society Inc. If you are interested in history why not join us and become a volunteer at the Museum or our library. Check us out at https://www.mdhs.org.au