100 Years Ago - 4th October 1919

Shire-wide news extracts from the Moruya Examiner of 4th October 1919, provided by the Moruya & District Historical Society:

R. B. HEFFERNAN’S sale of Nurse Heffernan’s household furniture and stock on Wednesday next, 8th inst.

CRICKET. – At a meeting held lately at Bodalla it was decided to reorganise the cricket club. A concrete wicket is to be put down in the paddock behind the hotel. Mr. F. Brice is secretary.

MORUYA GRANITE. – It is pleasing to note that there is in Moruya one gentleman at least who has an intelligent conception of the great possibilities of our local granite, and who finds time and has the inclination to point them out to his sleepy-go-easy fellow townsmen and an unsympathetic and useless government. The following reply received through Captain Millard from the Minister of Works, speaks for itself as to the indifference of the present Government in the development of the country’s best and most substantial assets:- “Sir, - With reference to your representations in relation to a communication dated July last from Mr. John T. Brogan, of Moruya, in regard to the possibilities of making greater use of the Moruya granite for buildings, I am directed by the Minister to inform you that the quality and suitability of Moruya granite for building purposes is well known, but it is not considered advisable for the Government to undertake the working of the quarry referred to. Granite is being quarried at Central Tilba by private enterprise, so that if any of this stone is required for Government buildings, it can easily be obtained from this source. – Yours faithfully, J. B. Cooper, Under Secretary.”

SUDDEN DEATH. – MRS. W. JERMYN. – Profound and sincere was the sorrow which prevailed throughout our district when the startling news issued forth on Tuesday evening that Mrs. Jermyn, wife of Mr. W. Jermyn, Eurobodalla Shire’s clerk, was dead at the age of 49 years. The awful suddenness completely stunned those who heard it. On the afternoon of the tragic happening this beloved creature whilst tending the flowers she so loved, was as bright and happy and singing as lightly as one of the birds of the air. After a hearty meal with her husband and two daughters, at 7 p.m., she left the room with a smile and a jest on her lips and within a few seconds she lay dead in her distracted husband’s arms. Just after entering her bedroom, a crash was heard, and on rushing to the scene Mr. Jermyn found his wife with her neck broken. It is surmised that she sat on an ottoman and by some means which will never be known, slipped off, with the result as stated above. Dr. Quilter was immediately summoned and after a short time pronounced life extinct, the cerebral vertebra of the neck having been dislocated.

Bateman’s Bay. – GOLDEN WEDDING OF MR. AND MRS. JAS. BARCLAY. –

The village of Bateman is justifiably proud of the Barclay family and the part played by its members, who, though now scattered, yet look upon the banks of the bonnie Clyde as their home.

On Thursday last they had a reunion on “Barclay’s Island” and there the olive branches of Mr. and Mrs. James Barclay assembled to celebrate the happiness of their parents, who had reached the anniversary of their golden wedding. Nine stalwart sons and four daughters coming from long distances graced the old home. Mr. and Mrs. J. Barclay were married at Bateman’s Bay on the 25th September, 1859. I think Mr. Barclay is about 78 years of age and his wife – well she looks about 70 years younger. She is one of three sisters who between them have blessed Australia with 48 children. Short congratulatory speeches were made by Messrs. A. Patrech, George Ryan, J. Maloney, W. Higgins, D. F. Mackay and E. Lunn.

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).