FEW districts in Victoria have been so much neglected as the Mornington Peninsula, more especially the hilly country situated towards the southern end, and known as Red Hill.
The costal strip, in which are the favourite seaside resorts of Flinders, Cape Schanck, Dromana, Rye and Sorrento, is familiar to tourists and holiday makers, but the central district is still practically unknown.
It is a picturesque country, possessing a fertile soil and an equitable climate.
Late frosts are rarely experienced, and the district is particularly suitable for orchards and root crops.
Strawberry culture is carried on extensively allotments of not more than 20 acres yield a comfortable living, but thousands of acres are undeveloped.
The main reason given for this backward state of affairs is that there is not a decent road traversing the hilly country.
Recognising the possibilities of this section of the Peninsula, the Country Roads Board has recently taken over, under the Development Roads Act, more than 30 miles of road in the shire of Flinders.
These roads will intersect the district in all directions, and the council is to push on with their construction.
Tenders have already been called for sections, and these are the forerunner of larger contracts which will be let as soon as the necessary preliminary work has been completed.
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ON Saturday last a number of returned soldiers were entertained in the Frankston Mechanics’ hall, by members of the Wattle Club.
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OUR readers are reminded of a grand concert to be held in the Langwarrin Recreation Hall this (Saturday) evening, in aid of Langwarrin North State School Flower Day Repatriation Fund. Admission 1s; children half price.
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ATTENTION is directed to an advertisement in another column of Gus St Leons circus, which will appear in Frankston Friday night next.
The merits of this splendid combination are well known, and can be recommended as a very fine entertainment.
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THE Hon. Treasurer Roll of Honor gratefully acknowledges receipt of the following additional donations:
Mrs M. B. Garrood (part proceeds raffle) £2 10s ; Mrs M. R. Deane, £1 1s; Half proceeds Peace Celebration £5 2s 3d ; Collection Thanksgiving service, £6 8s 10d.
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THE first meeting of the executive of the Repatriation committee was held at the Mechanics on November 18th, the following gentlemen being present: Crs Oates, Mason, Hoare, and Messrs Ritchie, Hartland, Gray, and Dr Plowman.
Cr Oates was avoted to the chair pro. tem. and finally was elected President of the executive.
Two gentlemen were proposed for the position of secretary, one being finally withdrawn in favor of ex Lieut. Hindes, who was unanimously elected to fill the position, subject to his acceptance.
It was decided to hold meetings weekly on Fridays, in the Frankston Mechanics, at 8pm.
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AT the Frankston Methodist Church on Sunday next the preachers will be Rev E. Tonkin, morning (special Thanksgiving service) and Rev D. Morris B.A., in the evening.
The Rev. E. Tonkin will conduct a memorial service at Tyabb in the evening, in connection with the death at the front of Private Harry Cole.
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THE following letter has been received from Private H. T. Scoble, who has been at the front for some time:
Dear Sir, Would you be kind enough to empress through your column, many thanks to the citizens of Frankston for the medal my brother received on my behalf.
I trust I will be spared to return and wear same.
At time of writing I am in a convalescent camp, together with Frank Gabrial and Ted Reynolds who had the same experience as I, being lamed with a shell.
We are all feeling fit again and will be going up the line in the course of a few weeks, to do a bit more for the cause.
Things are looking much brighter for the Allies at time of writing, and let as hope the coming Christmas will be our last away from Frankston.
Kindly remember me to all enquiring friends.
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THE Principal of the Longerenong College reports that the good rains have greatly improved the prospects of both crops and stock.
The silos have been filled with cape barley, 140 tons of material being taken off 14 acres of “stubble” land.
Considering the season this is a heavy return, and again emphasises the importance of that crop in the northern districts.
Shearing has been finished, and 23 bales of wool forwarded to Geelong.
The lambs have been sold by tender, and the price for 600 head, less 10 per cent rejects is 19s 3d, which is regarded at satisfactory.
Twenty three cows are being milked for a daily return of 65 gallons.
All classes are working well, and the conduct of the students in the house has been excellent.
Receipts for the month amounted to
£165 9s 10d.
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A SYDNEY paper gives the belt for champion Australian long distance job holder to George Walters, of Tamworth. N.S.W.
He has been collar making for one saddlery firm there for 51 years, has swept out the local Methodist Church for half a century, and has been in the town band for 40 years. ‘
He has now reached the 70 mark in life, but is said to look good for another 25 years.
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MORNINGTON. The news of the signing of the Armistice between the European Combatents was the occasion of great rejoicing in our town.
Great quantities of bunting were displayed everywhere, on the receipt of the official intimations that the important step had been made towards peace, bells were rung and shops closed for the day.
A committee was formed to arrange a celebration worthy of the occasion, and on Thursday 14th inst. a grand pageant of fancy dress items, historical characters and humorous subjects, was shown in the main street
A strong, energetic band of workers entertained the juveniles and others in the park, with sports and refreshments, until 6 p.m.
In the evening there was further display of the afternoon’s procession, ending with a fine fire works spectacle in the Alexandra Park.
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OUR Letter Box. TO THE EDITOR.
Sir; It has been brought under my notice that rumours are being circulated that I have refused to assist the Red Cross and that the lady collector was ordered off my premises.
Now, Sir, I give the rumour re the refusal to support, an absolute denial, but the ordering off is correct.
The facts are that the collector was ordered off my premises, and informed in the presence of a witness that the money would still be paid to the Red Cross, but through a different source.
I have no wish to make public the cause of the Red Cross collector’s dismissal, but will be very willing to explain to anyone personally.
The collector is well acquainted with the reason and has little cause to complain of my treatment to her, knowing, as she does, that it was fully justified.
Dame rumor is too apt to take away a person’s character, but it is a very hard person to punish as one can never get her in the open.
MAUD DESS,
Bay Street, Frankston.
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From the pages of the Mornington Standard, 23 November 1918