FROM THE FRONT. – The following letter from Private Thomas Duffy, brother of Mr. Alf Duffy, was received by his mother, of Bateman’s Bay: –  Portsmouth, England,  June 17th, 1917. You will see by this letter that I am back in England, and you will probably guess the reason why. Well, Mother, I have had some close calls and miraculous escapes, but my shell came at last and got me. I was wounded on the 8th of this month and have been in Portsmouth since the 13th. I was picked up, my wounds dressed and on the railway within two hours from the time I was hit. Dear mother I got off very light considering the circumstances, the shell burst right in the trench with me, and it is a wonder I was not blown to atoms, as it was I was shot through the leg in two places, through the left arm and in the jaw and neck. I am getting well quickly, all my wounds are getting on well except my leg, and I don’t think it will be much good again. One of the pieces of shrapnel which went through cut the sinews above and behind the knee, and at present it is as helpless as an injured limb could be. I am glad to be away now that I am of no more use, though I am sorry to be a cripple, but my leg may get better quicker than I expect. I will now say good-bye with best wishes to Alf and family, from your loving son, THOS DUFFY

DEATH. – Mr. and Mrs. John Smith of Gundary, received the sad intelligence that their daughter-in-law, Mrs. James Smith, had passed away on Sunday, aged 40 years. Deceased had been suffering for nearly nine months from Bright’s disease, which, with heart affection, caused her death. He husband predeceased her two years and eight months ago. Three little girls are left to mourn their irreparable loss.

REFIRIGERATING REPORT. – Our old friend Mr. J. Vider, Manager and secretary, has forwarded us a report and balance sheet of the Braidwood Refrigerating Co. During the half-year the company received 310,497 rabbits, and packed for export 11,778 cases. From Nov. 25th, 1909, to date, 4,336,872 rabbits have been packed for export. For the two weeks ending May 25^th, 31,919 pairs of rabbits were received, thus establishing records for the works.

NERRIGUNDAH. –

A large sale of property is to be offered by public auction at Nerrigundah on the 25th August, 1917, at 12 noon, which consists of the following: The whole of the Reefer’s Hotel, one two-storey weatherboard store and three cottages.

Any person requiring building material, galvanised iron or tanks, etc, should not miss this splendid opportunity on 25th inst.

Heavy frosts have been experienced at the Gulf, and the dry spell is telling on some of the dairy herds.

Messrs. Guest, Wilson and Hattley are in full swing in the manufacturing of eucalyptus oil, turning out large quantities of O.K. quality.

Mr Roy Byrnes met with a painful accident whilst on a fishing trip on Sunday last. While opening oysters, the knife slipped, going right through his hand, but under the skilful attention of Mrs. Lennard, of Bodalla, he is progressing favourably.

NAROOMA. – From a Correspondent. –

There are outward and visible signs of advance Australia here at Narooma.

(1) Mr. W. Costin is finding that his store is too small to meet with existing requirements, so has given Mr. Stevenson the contract to enlarge the store by twice its present size. He is also having a residence put up adjoining the store.

(2) Mr. M. D. Lynch is also having a cottage built opposite his store next to the Catholic Church. Mr. John Hickey is the builder.

(3) Last but not least the School of Arts has just been installed with the Gloria light, and a dance was held in connection therewith on Saturday night last, 4th Aug. The two lights in the hall gave every satisfaction, whilst the outside lamp illuminated the roadway for a considerable distance, and the one light in the reading room and library showed to advantage over the old style of kerosene lamp. If it keeps on as good as it has started it will be an efficient and economic asset to the institution.

Eighteen 100 years ago booklets containing articles for the years 1899 to 1916  are available ($5 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).