THE grand final of the Peninsula Association was played on Saturday at Somerville, Frankston winning the premierships after a strenuous contest was manifested, and a large crowd assembled to witness the match.
Mornington, who at the beginning of the season were apparently invincible, had lost a lot of their dash, and the team lacked cohesion and system.
Frankston, on the contrary, had improved on every day’s play, and on Saturday were undoubtedly the superior side.
Moon, Gregory, and P. Darcy were out, and, Reddick, Tevendale, and E. McComb took their places. Except for these alterations, the team was the same that met Hastings on the previous Saturday.
Connell, Mornington’s captain, was out owing to injuries, and although well served by their leading men, Mornington had many players not up to standard.
Their great weakness was in the forward lines, where men were seldom in their places, and to this fact must be assigned the reason for their defeat.
The wind was a factor slightly favouring the tennis court goal, and Frankston has its assistance first, but were only seven points ahead at the change.
Mornington did better, and at half-time had not only wiped off the deficit, but were leading by nine points.
Frankston’s time came again in the third term; they added 5 goals 3 points while Mornington’s scoring remained stationary.
Eight goals to four in Frankston’s favour at the last change was a great handicap, but sensational deeds have been recorded in even one quarter’s football.
Mornington made a stern fight, and reduced their opponents’ lead considerably, but the final bell found them still two goals behind.
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OUR LETTER BOX. FRANKSTON LIGHTING.
To the Editor.
Sir, In view of the statements appearing in recent issues on this subject may we be permitted to make some observations in reply.
Why these complaints, we ask, at a time when we have been passing through the most difficult period in our company’s experience?
For weeks our efforts have been taxed to the utmost to keep up a supply of lighting and our staff has been kept at constant strain to produce gas at all from the very low gas contents of the slack coal placed at our disposal by the Coal Board at considerable cost.
As a matter of fact, operations were conducted at a loss during the Seamen’s dispute, notwithstanding, a gas supply was maintained, though on several occasions every pound of coal was used up before further supplies arrived.
We were faced with the position of being unable to generate sufficient gas for both gas and electric services.
As for town lighting, gas cooking and private lighting in many cases depended on gas, we gave this service preference in the interests of the greater number.
This arrangement left an inadequate gas supply for the gas engines which run the larger electric generator.
We were consequently, reduced to the running of the small generating set throughout the evenings which ordinarily is run from a late hour to early morning.
This arrangement we know gave a very inadequate service, but it was the best possible under the circumstances.
Now that we are able to obtain supplies of proper gas making coal the larger plant is again supplying a satisfactory electric service.
Consumers cannot expect the same advantages as in a city electric service.
We have about ten miles of transmission lines carrying about as many consumers as could be supplied from half a mile of transmission line in a city street.
Frequent interruption to lines result from gales of wind causing contact of trees with lines or contact of one wire with another resulting in an interruption of current; as these occur at night it is impossible to locate the trouble along dark roads until daylight when the lines can be patrolled.
Frankston is one the worst of districts for electrical transmission owing to the number of trees and scrub on the line routes which grow rapidly and have constantly to be cut back.
Other causes of stoppage, we could mention, have occurred, for which we are in no way responsible.
Causes likely to interrupt services are being overcome and we see no reason why a satisfactory electric service cannot be assured for the future.
The town of Frankston is fortunate in having both a gas and electric supply and it is doubtful if any other town in the Commonwealth of equal size can claim this distinction.
For the information of those who do not know and to remind those who may have forgotten – some years ago there was a gas company in Frankston.
A dispute arose between it and the then Shire Council, and the company eventually ceased to supply gas and removed the greater part of its gas mains and some of the plant.
We purchased the interests of the old concern, it being proposed to remove the plant to another town.
We were, however, approached and asked to re-establish the works and were promised support by residents and the Shire Council. We eventually agreed to do so.
Other mains were laid, plant added and the supply of gas started.
For some years the concern did not pay. We claim that by our enterprise we have done more for the advancement of the town of Frankston than any other person or body.
In the matter of public lighting and in other ways we have sought to meet the council in every way possible.
Two years ago we were receiving for lighting £7 10s per month, and today it is £11 5s.
The service included gas, lighting and extinguishing, mantles, chimneys etc.
A lot is apparently expected from us but there has not been much by way of encouragement to us.
In regard to complaints – as is often the case, those who have the most to say in the matter, have the least cause for so doing; others of our consumers have intimated their willingness to speak on the other side.
JOHN DITCHBURN, Managing Director. Frankston Gas and Electric Supply Coy, Melbourne, 25th September.
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LOCAL dairymen notify by advertisement in another column that they have increased the price of milk to 6d per quart.
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MR. A. C. Coxall, who has carried on a successful butchering business in Frankston for the last 20 years has sold out to Messrs Morris and McKenzie of Woodend.
The new firm took charge on Wednesday last and their business announcement appears in another column.
It is the intention of Mr Coxall and family to continue residing in Frankston for the present.
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MR A. McKinnon, who has purchased the freehold of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Frankston, has had plans prepared for extensive improvements to the existing building, including a new balcony.
In exhibiting the plans to a local resident last week Mr McKinnon said he intended spending well over £1,000, on the work.
He promises to be a progressive townsman and is likely to take a keen interest in the progress of the place.
Mr McKinnon who is late of the Earl of Zetland Hotel, recently returned from a trip to Europe.
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FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 4 October 1919
