SOMETHING of a sensation was caused at a cricket match, played between Langwarrin and Frankston teams on Saturday afternoon, on the military reserve at Langwarrin.
When the Frankston men were fielding a bull visited the ground.
After surveying the game from the edge of the reserve for a minute or so and making suspicious eyes at one of the fieldsmen, H. Legge, the animal rushed out to the wicket.
The players scattered in all directions, and took refuge behind and up trees.
The bull sniffed at the stumps at one end of the wicket, and then knocked off the bails.
The Frankston skipper (Ted McComb) surveyed the situation from a tree-top, and was reluctant to resume the game while the bull was at large.
In characteristic Toreador fashion F. Carter, of Langwarrin, confronted the bull and succeeded in making the animal retreat and the play was resumed.
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“I HAVE been to the races half a dozen times since March last, and won £28 on one occasion,” admitted J. Foster at the Frankston Police Court on Monday last.
Foster appeared on a fraud summons issued in connection with an order made against him as far back as last March for the payment of £40/4/10, due to A. C. Hauland, timber merchant, of Chelsea.
Mr. Leslie Williams examined Foster as to his means. Foster said he was a builder and contractor residing at East Caulfield.
He had not been able to pay Hauland anything, and could not undertake to pay anything in reduction of the amount ordered to be paid by the Court.
Since March 20th, he had done three jobs, one for Mr. Foulsham, the racing man, another for Mr. Geo. Burden, of Springvale, and one for Mr, Harley, another racing man.
He lost money on the latter job.
He worked for Foulsham on commission and received £150.
From Burdeau, in cash and material, he got £64.
He had not finished Harley’s job and would be compelled to give it up because he had no money to continue.
Foster produced his bank book made up July last, and a letter from his banker asking him to reduce his overdraft.
Foster said he owned no property, and explained that the house in which he lived was owned by his wife.
He could not pay Hauland because he had other creditors pressing him.
Foster attributed all his trouble to the Stockton job.
He considered that he still had £350 to draw on that contract.
He had not been in good health and had consulted three doctors and a specialist.
The Bench made an order for the payment of the amount with costs in installments of £4 a month.
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HON. S. M. Bruce was accorded a very cordial reception at Frankston on Wednesday evening, when he addressed a large and enthusiastic meeting.
Mr. H. Gamble, who occupied the chair, said that Frankston had the proud distinction of being represented by the Federal Treasurer.
It had been predicted by Mr. Maxwell. M.H.R., that Capt. Bruce would rise to that position, and ultimately become the Prime Minister.
The first part of the prophesy had come true, and it would not be for lack of ability and courage if Mr. Bruce did not attain the topmost position. (Cheers).
Capt. Bruce, who said he was due at another meeting at Mordialloc that night, delivered a splendid address in defence of the Nationalist policy, a full report of which will appear in next issue.
A vote of thanks to the speaker was moved by Cr. May and seconded by Lieut.–Col. Lazarus and carried enthusiastically.
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THE leisurely running of passenger trains on the Mornington, Bittern and Red Hill lines has been “shown up” lately by the motor services from Frankston, down the coast as far as Sorrento.
People flock into the motors because they do run at speed and stop at convenient spots along the road, whereas the trains crawl between stations and loiter at them.
These facts were put before Mr. Barnes, Minister for Railways, as inducements to extending the electric railway.
The Railway Commissioners are hardly likely to see it in that light.
The advancement of road motor transport is really a nightmare to them, as they know the impossibility of competing with efficient road services by means of heavy trains.
In America road transport has put some railways out of business.
High freights, high wages, over-staffing, and general slackness – evils accumulated in a century of railway development – unfit railways for competition with smartly handled and tractable motor vehicles, which have no costly permanent way, and can at any time leave an unprofitable route and take to a profitable one.
American railway managers have held a candle to the devil by buying shares in motor transport companies and directing them on to routes where they will help and not impair railway interests.
In this country Mr. Hughes has done something of the same kind by buying into the Persian Oil Company with Commonwealth money.
Mr. Clap might take a leaf from his book and buy into the Victorian motor coach companies – with the consent of Treasurer McPherson.
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A Disgraceful Episode
To the Editor.
Sir,
On Sunday last at about 7.30pm at Aspendale (at the corner of Nepean Road and Wilson Grove) was disgraced by one of the worst spectacles that it has even been treated to.
A number of about 12 “men” and “women” marched up the avenue in twos, led by an individual beating a large drum, the whole company clapping their hands and singing “Washed in the Blood of the Lamb,” and then to the horror and disgust of the number of passers-by they knelt down in the open road whilst one of their number gave utterance to the most flagrant blasphemy, and the remainder joined in with the expressions “Hallelujah” and “God bless you”, “Amen,” etc.
I, the writer, do not pose as a great church-goer, nor am I a “wowser,” but such conduct should not be tolerated, and the offenders should be brought to book and severely dealt with, as, on enquiries; I learned the perpetrators do not consider themselves to be of the “common class,” which is the greater reflection on themselves.
There is nothing funny in ridiculing such a commendable body as the Salvation Army, much less be guilty of an act in a public place on a Sunday night in the presence of a number of persons and children, and in the neighborhood of respectable citizens.
It is a pity this particular “club” cannot confine their blackguardly, obscene, conduct to the district where they live and show, their friends and neighbors themselves in their true colors.
I think it would be better service to have patrolmen on the road (not on the beach) to prevent a re-occurrence of this debasing exhibition, whilst at the same time the police should make some enquiries in the locality with a view to prosecution on charge of obscene conduct and blasphemy, and rid the district of such a “club.”
Yours, etc.,
“VOX PAPULI.”
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 6 & 8 Dec 1922
