This week in history: February 1, 1924
A Murray Bridge eight is chosen for the Olympics, a new football and cricket ground opens and preparations begin for the construction of a new rail bridge.
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From the pages of the River Murray Advocate, February 1, 1924:
Olympic Games: Murray Bridge chosen, subject to challenge
The selection committee appointed by the rowing associations of the six Australian states to select a crew to represent Australia at the forthcoming Olympic Games, to be held in Paris, met at the Amateur Sports Club, Melbourne, on Monday morning.
The following statement was issued.
“It was decided that Murray Bridge, which won the last interstate eight-oared race in Perth, be selected to represent Australia at the Olympic Games, subject, however, to any state having the right to challenge Murray Bridge to a test race over the Olympic distance.
“Challenges must be lodged with Mr C.A.M. West, honourable secretary of the South Australian Rowing Association, on or before February 9.”
The new recreation ground: Opening day
The new recreation ground at Murray Bridge, which has been under the management of the trust with Mr H.L. Binney as chairman, was formally opened to the public on Monday by Mr A.L. Pellew.
The ground has been the source of considerable trouble to the trust who, without funds of any kind, have tackled a job in a way that has earned the admiration of the thinking ratepayers of Murray Bridge.
When the ground was first sought to be secured by the Council of Mobilong, various spokesmen for the footballers and cricketers of Murray Bridge were loud in their promises of what these same sports would do to improve the ground if only the council would secure it, and it is sad to have to relate that the promise has been more honoured in the breach than in the observance.
Saturday after Saturday, a few enthusiastic veterans of the games have turned up and have done a marvellous amount of spade work which the younger element and present players could have done easier and with less aching of the back.
But the trust, with Mr Binney as head and ably seconded by secretary Hurrell, committeemen Dillon, E.J. Harvey and the Chairman of the council, Mr Parrish, have borne most of the burden of preparing the ground, and making two blades of grass grow where none existed before.
But they have seen the fruits of their labours and the ground today, while not an Adelaide Oval, is a distinct credit to the small band of willing workers who have not received that assistance from the younger generation that they had the right to expect.
The ground was originally secured by the council on the condition that they paid the sum of ÂŁ48 per year during the life of Mr and Mrs LeMessurier, and after that it was to become the property of the council.
The new bridge
Preliminary preparations for the new bridge are now being made under the supervision of Mr Chapman.
Blasting operations have been engaged in near the cutting, and other works incidental to the big job are in hand.
In some quarters it is estimated that at least 500 men will be on the job, and if this proves to be the case the housing problem in Murray Bridge will be a serious one to cope with, and temporary buildings are sure to be erected.
Business advertisements
- Bridgeport Hotel, Murray Bridge: F.H. and M.M. Provis notify the residents and the travelling public that they have taken over the above hotel and intend to maintain its prestige and cater in every respect for the requirements of the public. Electric light, hot and cold baths. Telephone 2 day or night.
- Crabb’s suit offer: Suits £6 6s for one month only. Remember all garments made on the premises, and where all the good hats are sold. O.T. Crabb, Beehive Corner, Bridge Street, Murray Bridge.
- Spend your holidays motoring: We have for sale Ford in good order ÂŁ85, Harley and sidecar in excellent condition ÂŁ75. Or, if you prefer a new car, we can provide the new series Maxwell, with nickel finish and fitted with disc wheels, for ÂŁ385; wire wheels ÂŁ20 extra. Caldwell Bros, opposite railway station, Murray Bridge. Phone 111.
- Read more: trove.nla.gov.au.
Editor’s note: This is the first instalment of a weekly column Murray Bridge News will publish on a trial basis. The photo is of Bridge Street, Murray Bridge in 1924; credit: Arthur A. Johnson/State Library of South Australia (B 70385). The newspaper image is from The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser/Trove.
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