26 Feb 1887
'Australian Town and Country Journal'
ROCKY HALL.
GENERAL.-The little town of Rocky Hall, at the foot of the Big Jack Mountain, on the road to Bombala, is just starting into life again. The old hotel, which was built during the time of the Kiandra gold rush, has been polished up and re opened. The new schoolhouse will soon be finished, and will contain five rooms and a kitchen and pantry.
The schoolroom itself is a good, large, well ventilated room. The school stands on two acres of land, and has a fine view looking toward Dog Trap Hills.

'The Bega Gazette and Eden District or Southern Coast Advertiser'
25 April 1883
Rocky Hall.-From Bombala Times we clip that the first meeting of the Rocky Hall Progress Committee was held on Saturday last. Mr. T. Collins was elected chairman. These motions were carried:-"That the Hon the Minister for Works be respectfully requested to cause immediate action to be taken re the erection of the bridge across the Towamba River at New Building." "That the Secretary be instructed to write to Messrs Garvan and Clarke, asking them to urge upon the Minister for Works to clear and form the road between Candelo and Wyndham." The next business discussed was a mail service between Candelo and Towamba, and it was agreed to petition the Postmaster-General, praying that such a service might be established, the same to leave Towamba on Thursdays, meeting the Manaro mail at Wyndham, and returning on Fridays from Candelo in time to catch the up Manaro mail. The writer reports feed fairly plentiful and dairying prospects cheering. He thinks the day is not far distant when Rocky Hall will take its place as an important dairying district, judging at least by the number of selections that have been recently taken up.

'Pambula Voice' January 28, 1898
SAD SHOOTING FATALITY
News reached Pambula early on Wednesday morning that a young man named Arthur Smith had been shot dead the previous evening in between Rocky Hall and Burragate. The District Coroner Mr. C. A. Baddeley, on receiving news of the occurrence immediately proceeded to Rocky Hall to hold an inquiry and was accompanied by Dr. Stoney. Our Rocky Hall correspondent, writing on January 26, supplies the following particulars:
An accident of a fatal nature occurred here on Tuesday evening, the victim being Arthur Smith, a young man, 19 or 20 years of age and a resident of this neighbourhood. It appears that the deceased in company with a man named Donald Laing left his home about noon for the purpose of shooting hares and wallabies. When they reached the vicinity of the game they separated being within hearing of each other. Between five and six o'clock in the evening, having walked a considerable distance, Laing decided to return home so he "coo-eed" to Smith. As no response was forthcoming he grew somewhat anxious and proceeded to the spot where he last heard Smith fire a shot. After searching around for while he discovered the dead body of his comrade with a bullet wound in his head; the ball having entered just under the right eye and passed out at the back of his head. It is not known how the accident happened. Some are of the opinion that it was caused through the accidental explosion of a cartridge in the deceased's rifle, whilst others think it must have been stray bullet which occasioned the fatality.
A Coroner's inquiry is being held today. The deceased was a quiet and inoffensive young fellow and his loss will be keenly felt by his parents who were much dependent on him for support. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have the deepest sympathy of the whole community in their sad bereavement.

December 23, 1905
'The Bega Budget'
From Our Correspondent.
ROCKY HALL.
A son of Mr. David Farrell had a narrow escape from a serious accident. The lad, in company with others, was returning from school, driving in a sulky, and by some means he fell out of the trap. For 24 hours he was unconscious, but he is now progressing satisfactorily towards convalescence.
We are losing our mail coach driver Mr. John Tier. 'Jack' will be missed as he was a courteous and obliging driver. I understand that he has gone Moruya way, where he and Mr. S. Averell have secured a mail contract.
After a long spell of dull showery weather we are having warm days - just the thing for those farmers who are getting in their hay. Hay makers and corn chippers are badly wanted here, and we are not troubled with the unemployed difficulty.
Mr. W. Warden (chairman) and Mr. Meares manager of the Coastal Farmers Co-operative Co. arrived here on Monday travelling by motorcar. A meeting of farmers was held and matters affecting the dairying interest discussed. Co operation was advanced as just the thing for the farmers and our local men are not slow to recognise this fact.
Mr. Beasley of Towamba, wool carrier from Monaro had an exciting experience one day last week. He was driving a team of horses with an empty waggon and when passing through New Building he had just topped a hill when Mr. C. Rixon, driving a mare and foal met him. The leaders apparently took fright and, turning round bolted down the hill. When near the bottom the off-side shafter fell and was dragged to death. Mr. Rixon raced after the team and managed to drive it into a bank and bring it to a stand-still. Mr. Beasley who was riding alongside wheeled his horse to follow the team, and in doing so his horse fell with him though luckily he escaped without injury. The only damage done to the waggon was a broken shaft. The other horses got a few light scratches. How the waggon turned round in its own length without capsizing was a mystery.

December 8,1906
'The Bega Budget'
ROCKY HALL.
* A meeting was held at Grant's hotel on Wednesday night when it was decided to hold a day's sport sometime towards the end of February.
* On Thursday night Mr. Brotherton had 38 turkeys killed by foxes.
* Mr. W. Rixon's dairy is to be offered by auction on Monday by D. Grant and Co.
* Maintenance men are putting railings on the approaches to the bridge.

May 4, 1907
The Bega Budget
ROCKY HALL.
* On Wednesday morning the Big Jack mountain was covered with snow. Some nice showers fell on Tues day and Wednesday.
* Mr. P.M Sheehy, assisted by his son, has been valuing the holdings in C. riding. It is much to be regretted that Mr. Sheehy cannot see his way to complete the valuation of A. and B. ridings at the price allowed, as he is a painstaking official. He finds the work somewhat difficult owing to the way the different ridings have been marked out.
* Rumoured that our hotel is likely to change hands, and a well-known Candelo man is mentioned as the likely buyer.

June 1, 1907
'The Bega Budget'
ROCKY HALL.
* Cold nights here, with heavy frosts.
* I regret to report that Mr. J. Hyde, sen., has been laid up with a severe attack of influenza, but is now improving.
* Maintenance men have completed a new culvert between the hotel and post office. The old culvert was found to be in a very dangerous state, and it is remarkable how it stood the heavy traffic.
* Mr. W. T. Hall had the misfortune to lose a useful harness horse last week. It is thought the animal died from eating baits laid for rabbits. This is the second horse to die affected in the same manner. The animal suffered as if from colic for about 14 days before death ensued.
* Mr. D. J. Grant has disposed of his hotel business to Mr. H. Rogers, of Candelo.
* The young man, H. Collins, who committed suicide at Candelo, one time resided in this locality.

'The Sydney Morning Herald'
18 July 1907
PAMBULA
* Mrs. John Boland, wife of a well-known Rocky Hall farmer, was found drowned in Towamba River yesterday.

March 13, 1909
'The Bega Budget'
ROCKY HALL.
Since the recent rains the country looks beautiful, and the milk supply at the factory is increasing daily; farmers are looking forward to a good winter which they have not had for many years.
On Saturday last, while engaged in repairing a bridge near Mr. Chas. Rixon's, Mr. M. Egan, maintenance man, was the victim of a nasty accident which might easily have been more serious. The late rains had caused the bridge to collapse, and while Mr. Egan was repairing the damage a fall of earth occurred, covering him to the shoulders. Mr. Doyle was close at hand and speedily removed Egan from his awkward position. Fortunately no damage was done. Rabbits are fairly numerous, yet poison carts in some instances are laid up. As Mr. Furness is in the district he will no doubt have these put to their proper use. Some fine potatoes, grown by Mr. J. Underhill, were on view at the Rocky Hall hotel during the week. One tuber weighed three pounds, and another was eleven inches long. It is rumoured that a local farmer is offering a prize of ten shillings for the best ten potatoes grown within a distance of ten miles of Wyndham.
A public meeting will be held at the Rocky Hall hotel on 15th instant for the purpose of taking steps to have telephonic communication established with Bega. Mr. W. Whitby sen., was fined 2s 6d and 7s costs of Court for neglecting to send his child to school the required number of days. W. Moore sued James Eager, for amount due for house rent and secured a verdict for £ 1 18s. Constable Lynch arrested two Indians on a charge of horse stealing, the alleged offence occurring in Victoria.

March 27, 1909
'The Bega Budget'
ROCKY HALL
* I hear that the provisions of the Early Closing Act have been extended to Rocky Hall, to take effect from 1st April.
* Mr. D. Grant purchased two sows with their litters from Mr. Stewart, Burragate, and when he was driving then away, and about half a mile on the road, it was discovered that one sow had eaten the whole of a black snake. The animal died shortly afterwards.
* Mr. W. Edwards, of Carlyle, has built another ensilage stack. As this gentleman builds a large stack every year, he must find this up-to-date way of preserving fodder profitable.
* A show meeting will be held at Burragate on the 27th instant. I saw two lists of intending members which were well filled.
* I am very pleased to say that Mr. Jas. Grant is still improving in the Bega Hospital.
* A public meeting will be held at the hotel for the purpose of considering the question of organising a day's sports to raise funds to have the cemetery enclosed with a rabbit-proof fence.

April 3, 1909
The Bega Budget
ROCKY HALL.
* The meeting held at Burragate on Saturday in connection with the matter of establishing an agricultural society was rather poorly attended, at the same time, good business was done. The lists handed in showed over 100 intending members, and it was decided to hold a meeting on 1st May to elect a committee to make arrangements for holding a show some time during the spring.
* The meeting held at the hotel on Thursday night for the purpose of raising money to enclose the Basin Creek cemetery was a great success, and it was agreed to hold a day's sports bazaar, and social on 7th May. A committee of 16 was formed to carry out all arrangements.
* Our dairymen were a bit 'down in the dumps' when they received word of the glut on the Sydney butter market, but they are hopeful that it will soon take a turn in favour of the producer. At present it is necessary to store any surplus, but with the near approach of the winter season, supplies should slacken.

Car overturned sometime after the bridge was washed away in 1919. Photo courtesy Whitby Family

September 5, 1924
'The Bombala Times'
Rocky Hall.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
* Carl Holzhauser left school last Fri day, and was given a dinner by the parents of the children at mid day, and tea in the afternoon by Mr. and Mrs. Hinman.
* It is still very dry in the district. Cows with young calves are coming in to the dairies and the supply of milk will now increase rapidly. An inch of rain would do a wonderful lot of good.
* The following are the results of the guessing competitions held for the local Church of England funds : - Miss Goulf won the mats, Mrs. J. Collins the cushion, and Mr. Reid, Wyndham, the baby's outfit.
* Mr. James Whitby's youngest son has started to build his new house. The timber he has secured from Towamba, and the bricks and pine lining from Bombala. He is trying to get it built by November, when - local rumour will supply the rest.
* The following amounts were collected for the Home of Incurables, Ryde, by the local school children: - Carl Holzhauser 16/1, Bessie Roberson 9/6, Freida Farrell 6/-, Olive Baker 4/9, Charles Kerr 3/-, Rita Rixon 2/-, total £2 1s 4d. Carl Holzhauser won the book given for the collector of the largest amount.
* Mr. A. J. Underhill was returning home from Bega in his car, accompanied by Miss Underhill, when his car skidded over a bank on the road between Stoney Batter and Sandy Creek. With the assistance of some ladies and the aid of hand spikes he succeeded in getting the car back on to the road, none the worse for the mishap.

Uncle Joe in front of the Rocky Hall Store and Post office. Courtesy Whitby Family.

January 9, 1925
The Bombala Times
Rocky Hall
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
* Mr. A. J. Underhill had the misfortune to lose a valuable blood foal from his old mare, Snude, in the last heavy rain. A yearling from Snude was sold last year for £40, and another was trying its luck in Bega last week. A mare from Snude is also running in Sydney. Rocky Hall got a shock the other day.
* A lady from the Tableland, on the way to Pambula per car, opened her hand bag, produced a silver cigarette case, handed out smokes, and then lit up. Very bold, says Rocky Hall.
* The dairymen around here are having a good deal to say about Pambula factory paying 1/1½ for November butter, while Cathcart paid only 10½d. One dairyman says that after paying labour and buying food for the farm, with an extra smoke or two, his month's cheque is cut out.
* There is a rumour down here that the new Hospital is in use and that it is hard to keep a staff owing to the great distance the food has to be carried from the old kitchen. This is not correct. The new Hospital is not yet in use and is not likely to be until the new kitchen is built. When that will be no one seems to know.- Editor.]

February 27, 1925
The Bombala Times
Rocky Hall
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
* Mr. Herbert Whitby, second son of Mr. James Whitby, is home with his parents at Rocky Hall. He is practically an invalid as the result of a paralytic stroke. They say that Herb, looks well and cheerful in spite of his illness.
* Mr. E. Connelly has taken several ribbons with his "Willie Harold" mare at Eden and Pambula Shows, and is taking the mare to Bega Show next week.
* Miss Nellie Boland, who has been staying with her brothers, is leaving the district.
* Messrs. Underhill Bros, are going out of dairying and taken on sheep.
* Mr. G. R. Holzhauser has received a letter from Mr. Hinman, formerly of Rocky Hall, and now of the Numerella school. He says the school ground is about 7 acres and runs to the bank of a river in which the people fish for trout. He says the price of living is 12 1/2 per cent, below Rocky Hall, and good prime beef can be purchased at 6d per lb which is far below the prices charged by the butcher who runs here from Wyndham.

January 21, 1927
'The Bombala Times'
Rocky Hall.
(From Our Own Correspondent)
* A heavy storm broke over Rocky Hall on the 6th inst., about 3½ inches falling in a short time. A good deal of damage was done to the crops.
Mr. Pat Farrell was returning home from Wyndham after the storm when his horse, fell with him and gave him a nasty bruising. He had to be taken to the Pambula Hospital on the 8th, but I hear he is now improving.
* A tennis tournament played at Towamba on the 8th was won by Miss Edie Smith, formerly of Bombala. Towamba's bold bad man secured a frog and put it in the pocket of a lady's coat and then asked her where her handkerchief was. She put her hand in her pocket and got a shock when she felt the cold frog.
Mr. C. Rixon is improving slowly, but cannot use his right leg or arm. He can speak a few words.
* Mr. W. Baker had the misfortune to badly break up his 'Lizzie' on the Big Jack Mountain last week when returning from Delegate. I understand the brake rods broke and he had to run the car into the bank. He had to get a couple of new wheels from Mr. Don Kennedy at Bombala to enable him to get the car home. Mr. Baker got a rather bad shaking.

January 27, 1928
'The Bombala Times'
Rocky Hall.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
* Mr. Horace Whitby has disposed of his portion of the estate to his brothers, and has gone to Sydney. Mr. and Mrs. Stan. Elphick have been staying with Mrs. EIphick's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Kraanstuyver, at New Building. Mr. John Farrell, a returned soldier, is in Bega Hospital suffering from an old wound in the right thigh. He will probably have to go to Sydney for further treatment.
* The R.C. people of Rocky Hall and Burragate held a ball in Burragate last Friday night to raise funds for the Rocky Hall church. Rocky Hall, Towamba, and Eden were well represented.
* Light showers fell last week, just about enough to soften the ground for the farmers to plough for green fodder for the winter. The rain came too late for some maize crops. Much more rain is needed.
* An old Bega resident, Mrs. J. Howard, died in the Bega Hospital on Saturday last. Mrs. Howard was a sister of the late Mr. James Whitby, and 79 years of age. She fell down some steps and broke her leg, and this caused her death.
* The Imlay Shire Council has sent a gang of maintenance men to the Big Jack Mountain at last. There are some very bad places on the road from the foot of Big Jack to Wyndham, which would only take a load or two of gravel to put in order.
* On returning from the ball at Burragate Mr. Joseph Thornton's horse fell as he was passing Miss Kerr's car, and he rolled underneath the wheels, receiving serious injuries. He was taken to the doctor next morning, who found that he had two ribs broken and sent him to Bega to have his arm X-rayed.

August 17, 1928
'The Bombala Times'
Rocky Hall.
(From Our Own Correspondent.)
* Mr. Harry Underhill, of Underhill Brothers has purchased a Chev. car, a latest model sedan.
* Mr. H. J. Whitby, of Sandy Creek, was taken ill suddenly last week at Wyndham, and Dr. White, of Candelo, was sent for. The doctor thought for a time that there was little hope of recovery. Mr. Whitby rallied, and although he is now improving he is still far from well.
* The Mt. Darragh navvies visited Wyndham the other Saturday and were defeated, by the Wyndham footballers.
* Two intermediate carrots weighing 8lbs. 9ozs. were sold in Bega last week to a Sydney traveller for 3d a lb. These carrots were grown by Mr. G. Holzhauser.
* The maintenance men, Hyde and Rawlson, are doing good work on the Candelo- Wyndham road, which was in a terrible state.
* Mr. A. J. Underhill has a road cleared and made through the bush from Rocky Hall to Mt. Darragh No. 3 Camp, where he has opened a boarding house and store.

September 27, 1929
'The Bombala Times'
ROCKY HALL
(From Our Own Correspondent)
* Ethel Coraline, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Sawers, of Burragate, died suddenly on Thursday of last week, in the Pambula Hospital. She had been staying with her sister, Mrs. W. Love, at Pericoe, for some time. She had an attack of 'flu, and was thought to be getting better, when she got a relapse, and her condition becoming worse she was hurried to the hospital, but too late to save her life. The funeral took place at Rocky Hall, the Presbyterian Minister from Bega reading the burial service. The deceased was only 21 years of age.
* Farmers are making a move with the plow, getting ready for maize sowing, which will be late owing to the frosts. The 'flu has worn its welcome out and is gradually disappearing.
* The Imlay Shire road plant is nearing the foot of Big Jack, and has done good work. The road from here to Pambula is in splendid order, and a pleasure to drive on. The Mt. Darragh road work is nearing Wyndham, and can be seen from the main road. Formation work is in Mrs. Trevor's paddock.

October 12, 1934
'The Bombala Times'
* The bridge over the Stockyard Creek at Rocky Hall is in progress. Harry Grant is the successful tenderer for the supply of logs for the Basin Creek bridge. These two bridges will be a God-send to the residents of Rocky Hall.