Thursday, 21 November 2013

Molong Express News 1900-1912



The Wyalong Advocate and Mining, Agricultural and Pastoral Gazette NSW
21 Nov 1900

"Advocate" Comments

We have received many very flattering comments on the Wyalong Advocate from scores –of people and the surrounding ‘newspapers,' some of which 'we acknowledged in our last issue—the most prominent being those of the Condobolin " Lachlander," and the Grenfell ‘Record’. 

We are now in receipt of another from the Molong "Express," one of the oldest and most respectable journals in the West. 
As it is out of the ordinary, we give the comment us follows:—

"Mr. George R. Porter, recently of Condobolin, where for a long time he ran the “Argus," at length wearied of that caterpillar haunted, dry, and dust demoralised district, for resolved to quit.

And he went to Wyalong, the gold field beyond Temora—another uncomfortable place.

There 'was an "Argus" published there; but that name was too reminiscent of the past for Mr. Porter (a real good, liberal minded) sort so he changed it into the Advocate, and we are glad to know he is again a full: fledged editor and proprietor. 

The Advocate is a vast improvement on the piebald sheet it has superseded, and each succeeding issue show signs of solid improvement.

Our best wishes for success are with Mr. Porter, who, we sincerely hope, has struck a payable lead which will terminate in a wealthy claim. 

Already the Advocate's circulation has reached 700 copies, and is still jumping strong."


Many thanks Molong “Express.”
***

THE CARCOAR CHRONICLE’
Friday 8 November 1901

Owing to the sudden death of the late Proprietor of this Paper on Wednesday, 30th int, it was found quite impossible to publish last week's paper. 
So we will ask the subscribers and advertisers, to deal leniently and forgive the omission.
***

The Peak Hill Express NSW
11 Nov 1904

FUNNY!

The tree year’s old son of the Peak Hill Express” editor, strayed away the other evening and was discovered at the cemetery gates some two miles from town. 

The little, chap evidently mistook the cemetery for the town—an error into which many an older person might pardonably have fallen!—

MOLONG “EXPRESS”
***

Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW
13 May 1905

THE ONLY 'FITZ.'
In a recent issue ' An Old Journalist Friend ' wrote a piece about the only Fitz ' and Molong. 
He again writes: —'Writing to you the other weak about Molong, I said ' it was a Hawkesbury lad who brought about a change in the paper in question, &c, &c.' 
   
Well, I met that man in Sydney on Friday last, looking fit for almost anything, and we talked about former days— of Windsor, of our friend, Fitz, and, naturally, about Molong, and the time he edited the ' Express.
‘The ' Express ' editor was, Dave Davies, brother of your own 'Charley,' and, singular to say, with him on the 'Express was another Windsor lad, George H. Davis, now of the Town and Country Journal.'

And, still more strange, they had both been on the 'Dubbo Liberal,' occupying the same positions — though after Dave ' left both papers, George stepped into his shoes. 

I knew they had been together at Dubbo, but it was news to me that they had also been on the ' Molong Express ' together.

I always had a liking for ' Dave ' Davies, and what is more, I always gave him his due for his dramatic recitals — which some were disposed to ignore. 

‘Dave ' is still in splendid voice — talks dramatically, and has the actor's way with him. 

He is, all the same, a journalist, and he was expecting to leave Sydney in a day or two to take charge of a paper on one of the Northern rivers— the ' Raleigh' something, I forget what. 

Anyhow, he spoke very nicely of Fitz, and assured me that our mutual friend was a coming man- not only as a journalist, but a politician, and that Molong would yet know him, not only as its leading journalist, but as member for the district.
And so mote it be.'
***

The Peak Hill EXPRESS
27 July. 1906

Political Abuse.

Mr W J Keast, of Parkes, Has taken the Molong Express to task for publishing comments on his recent abusive harangue at Peak hill. 
Our Molong contemporary said Mr Keast was a “Frothy, empty- headed individual.”

However this is how the editor of the Molong express replies to Mr Keast: -
“Our reply will be short and brief and, we hope, to the point, It is this:-

That Mr Keast's muck slinging at his personal and political enemies, both at Parkes and Peak hill, have earned him every letter of the press trouncing he has so deservedly received.

Further the few observations by Mr Keats that Peak hill paper did publish fully warrant, in our humble opinion, the caustic criticism it publishes in reply.

Anyhow, and finally, if Mr. Keast, or any other fanatical political agitator, chooses to blatantly advertise, in a most obnoxious fashion, the opinions which he rightly or wrongly holds, it is up to him to take, with the best grace possible, a dose of his own bitter medicine whenever it is served up to him.

That being the case Mr, Keast is herewith politely invited to solemnly and calmly chew the cud of reflection!
***

The Peak Hill Express NSW
21 Dec 1906

THE YOUNGEST EDITOR.

Mr Gordon Bennett, of the Condobolin Lachlander, is said to be the youngest editor of a newspaper in the State. 
Ten years ago the present editor and proprietor of the Peak Hill Express, then editing the Molong Argus, was acknowledged by the Bulletin to be the youngest editor in New South Wales.
***

Molong Argus NSW  11 June 1909

Mr. G. H. Davis, one time editor of the “Express" was in Molong yesterday.
*
There was quite a crowd on the local railway platform on Wednesday evening for the purpose of seeing Madame Melba, who passed through by the 7 o’clock train, en route from Forbes to Orange. 

Several of our youthful autograph collectors interviewed the “Queen of Song," and we understand that one can now proudly boast of having obtained her signature.
***

Molong Argus NSW 
21 Oct 1910

Correspondence.

A Ridiculous Statement.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—On Friday night last, 14th inst, preposterously ridiculous charge was publicly made against me by the manager of the " Express," C. J. V. Leathem, and but that it cast a doubt on the integrity of others besides myself, viz., the Officials of Molong post office, I would treat it with the contempt which it merits.

The charge was to the effect that I on behalf of the Argus obtained access to the “Express’’ messages. 

That is a very strong charge, implying collusion on the part of the postal officials, as without their assistance it would be impossible for me to do what I was charged with. 

No, the charge is absolutely untrue, I got no messages but those sent to the Argus, and what is more, up to 8 p.m. I did not have a telephone receiver in my band, the official in charge of the exchange kindly taking the messages in order to facilitate my writing of them out. After 8 p.m. took my messages at the bureau. 

The above, I think, shows that the foul charge leveled against me is false, and what is more, each statement I have made can tie substantiated by witnesses. 

As to the motive which prompted the charge I say nothing, leaving it to the general public to judge it in the light of their experience of the tactics adopted by the portion who made it.
G. V. WIGG. 

Goulburn Evening Penny Post NSW
14 Nov 1939

MR. G V. WIGG The death occurred at his residence, Rose Bay, on Sunday last, of Mr. Godfrey Valliant Wigg, aged 67.

The late, Mr.Wigg was a brother of Mr. Francis Wigg, headmaster at the Bourke Street Public School from about 1920 to 1932.

Mr. Wigg had resided in Sydney since about 1924, prior to which he was for several years part-owner with Mr. Dignam of the Molong Argus before it was sold to the “Express.”     
       
Mr. Wigg, who is survived by a widow, two daughters, Mollie and Helen, and one son, Frank, was buried yesterday, the funeral leaving his Rose Bay residence at 1.30 pm for thee Catholic Cemetery, Rockwood.   
***                

Molong Express and Western District Advertiser NSW
13 Jan 1912

On Tuesday evening last, somewhat after eleven o'clock, Mr. F, Leathem discovered a fire on the ground floor of the Royal Hotel.

By some means or other a Curtin over the glass door on the Bank-street side of the building became lighted, and at the time of the discovery had charred the door, as well as catching a hold of a picture above the door, and burning the carpet.

Mr. Leathem had some difficulty in arousing the household, which had retired for the night, but the attention of someone from upstairs was attracted, and the blaze was quickly extinguished.

Had the conflagration obtained a firmer hold, there is no knowing what damage might have resulted
***

The Bathurst Times NSW 
19 Sept 1912

PERSONAL.

Mr. E. Simmons, who has been appointed editor of the ' Molong Express,' leaves to take up his new position on September 28.


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