100 Years Ago – 20 March 1926

In connection with the big reliability test held under the auspices of the Royal
Automobile Club of Victoria, 48 cars and one motor cycle passed through Moruya on
Wednesday morning. Many shapes, makes and sizes were amongst the cavalcade.
The 2-storey bucket gold dredge which was destroyed by the bush fires at
Nerrigundah was valued at £3000. It is now a mass of twisted iron. The loss is a
severe one to Mr. Walter P. King, of Tumut, who only recently purchased the dredge.
It was insured for only £1000.
On Sunday last, 14 th instant, the death occurred at her late residence, “Gundary,”
Ernest St., North Sydney, of Mrs. Isabella Constable. Deceased, who was in her 72 nd
year, was the widow of the late Mr. James Constable, of Moruya Pilot Station, and
later of Gundary [Moruya]. A daughter of the late Mr. E. W. K. Wyatt, Moruya, she
was well-known here for her exceptionally kind and charitable disposition.
A very serious accident befell our popular Presbyterian Minister, the Rev. Mr. W. M.
Herd, on Sunday morning last. He was on his way to hold a service at Coila, and
when passing a lorry near a culvert at the foot of “Black Hill,” the horse he was
driving became frightened and backed over the ballast of the culvert into a drain
beneath, a drop of about six feet. Fortunately, Mr. Burbidge, the driver of the lorry,
heard a noise and looking back, saw that an accident had occurred. With the
assistance of Mr. W. Grumley he rescued Mr. Herd from underneath the sulky. He
was semi-conscious and bleeding profusely, his head and face being considerably
cut about. He was hurried to Bergalia where he was transferred into Mr. Arnold’s
motor car and brought into town. On examination, Dr. McCredie found that the victim
was suffering from severe concussion, and he was admitted to Moruya Hospital.
He remained in an unconscious state until Thursday when he came to for a while
and recognised his wife. Friday’s report states that he is now fully conscious and
much improved. Very much sympathy is expressed for Mrs. Herd, who is beloved by
all who know her, in her long suspense. The horse escaped injury, but the sulky was
considerably damaged.
How should the word Canberra be pronounced? The varying attempts which
delegates of the Associated Chambers of Commerce had included “Canberra,” with
emphases on the “Can.” There were also suggestions during conference discussions
of “Can-beer-a” or “Canbra.” It is understood that all these attempts are wrong, and
that the correct pronunciation, although not yet officially adopted, is “Carn-brae.”

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