Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 15th November 1919, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:
SCOTCH FAIR today.
A CINDERELLA dance next Saturday night.
GLORIOUS weather, all nature smiling.
54 points of rain during the week.
TENNIS. – The match between Moruya and Narooma Tennis teams played on the latter’s courts on Saturday last resulted in a win for Moruya by 9 sets. Our players spent an enjoyable day and were delighted by the treatment given them by the Narooma Club.
DESTRUCTIVE BIRDS. – A meeting was called at Nowra for the purpose of organising parties of shootists to destroy cormorants and flying foxes. The cormorants are destroying hundreds of tons of fish in the Shoalhaven River. Mr. Jas. Thompson, who moved in the matter at the Agricultural Society’s committee meeting said he had seen a flock of at least 500 cormorants up the river at one spot.
SPRING FAIR. – The Spring Fair held at Bateman’s Bay on Saturday last in aid of the funds of the Methodist Church, was a conspicuous success. The energy and enthusiasm of the workers, combined with the practical support of the people of the other churches, brought the net financial results up to about £50, and will make it possible to complete and paint the church building and put it into good accord with the other properties at the Bay.
A NOTED BOMB THROWER. – Cpl. Harry Constable, M.M. was given a big welcome home at Dignam’s Creek last week. He was presented with a gold ring, a medal and a Eurobodalla Shire certificate. The chairman, in welcoming the guest, explained that Cpl. Constable won the military medal for gallantry in No Man’s Land. He was with a small party detailed to place cylinders of high explosives to assist in blasting a way through the barbed wire entanglements. Going ahead of time, he was hit by shrapnel from his own barrage, one arm being rendered useless. He carried on and achieved his object. An enemy machine gun was giving trouble and Harry being an expert bomb thrower was entrusted with the duty of settling the gun and gunner. He lobbed his bomb successfully, drawing the pin with his teeth. Cpl. Constable, bred to cricket and other sport, had contested with 300 men, picked from 14,000 in a long distance throw of a cricket ball. He threw 104 yards, 2 yards less than the winner. The silver medal won in this sport in England he sent home to his mother.
PISCATORIAL. – Fish yarns are not yet floating around, as the finny tribe has evidently departed for “fresh fields and pastures new.” Our most enthusiastic disciples of Isaac Walton have tried all the best grounds for miles north and south on the sea beaches but so far have not reported any record catches.
GRAND BALL. – A grand ball is to be held on Friday, 12th December. It is in aid of the School Library and garden fence. Strong support is already promised, and the music is to be a feature. Those who remember the very successful school dance of last year are looking forward to having a very pleasant time.
DEATH. – The death occurred in Atherton Hospital, Queensland, on Tuesday of Mr. John Baldwin. He was well-known throughout the district having spent most of his life here. About two years ago he and his wife and some of his family left Eurobodalla for the Northern State. Deceased, who was a brother of Mrs. J. Jenner, of Newstead, leaves a widow and a grown-up family of sons and daughters.
Twenty 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1918 are available ($6 ea) from the Society’s rooms. Copies of local newspapers from the 1860s to date can be viewed at the Society’s Family History Research Centre (Ph 4474 3224) situated at the rear of the Museum in Campbell St. Moruya (www.mdhs.org.au/publications.html).
