THE race meeting held by the Mornington Racing Club on Tuesday, in glorious weather, was decidedly successful, and the Hastings Memorial Hall will benefit considerably.
There was a large attendance and everything went with a swing throughout. The President (Mr. T. Ritchie) and secretary (Mr. H. Downward) spared no efforts to make the meeting successful in every way.
The racing opened with the Maiden Plate, with Kuarangi declining the engagement, Paragon and Sir Blankney were made hot favorites.
Dolly Varden, handled by ‘Tich’ Wilson, of King Ingoda fame, got the best of the start, but she was beaten into third place by Paragon and Sir Blankney, the equal favorites.
Both are by the imported sire, Blankney II.
Paragon, who won easily, was piloted by Charlie Veale, of Adelaide, whilst Tim Simmons, who won, the last Caulfield Cup on Whittier, had charge of Sir Blankney.
Myra Moore was the public elect for the Corinthian Handicap. Mr. V. Ward had the mount. He is one of the leading amateur riders in Australia, and is a son of the man who won the Grand National Hurdles with Narrahquong.
Myra Moore registered a great performance in this event. Left standing at the posts she lost at least 10 lengths at the start, but with a fine burst of speed, she tackled Stage Manager, Decoction and the others, and won by a neck from Stage Manager and Andante.
Sir Bobbie was pulled up before the post was reached.
Birtol made mince-meat of the field in the Hastings Handicap. He was the only horse in it, despite the fact that the field included Faust Rose Vivre, Flying Bill, Rita Page and others.
Faust Rose was a 5 to 1 against favorite.
For a couple of furlongs Gray kept Flying Bill with Birtel, but then the Pistol gelding streaked away and won as he liked, Moira Lad and Bannockburn filling the minor places.
Vivre was last, Birtol was ridden by the apprentice Reggie Bolan.
Luminous and Dr. Dennis were the chosen ones for the Novice Handicap, but they both failed.
Stitch in Time, a chestnut gelding from C. Cooper’s stables at Caulfield, and ridden by Joe Killorn, turned out the winner.
The chestnut only won by a neck from Mary Dennis and Atami.
Coolamon and Bubbling Brook stood out from the rest in the Trial Handicap. They succeeded in running dead heat for first place, with Direct Hit third.
In the deciding run, Bubbling Brook had a change of riders, Wilson replacing Hall, Coolamon being managed by Killorn. Coolamon is by Kingsburgh, the Melbourne Cup winner from Mrs Peggotty, an imported matron of note, and is trained by C. Cooper, at Caulfield.
The Westernport Welter concluded the day’s racing, and Erin’s Queen justified her position of favorite by winning from Tawonga and Mindsome.
The “stipe,” Mr. M. Gaven, enquired into Mindsome’s running, and after hearing the evidence exonerated the owner and horse, but severely reprimanded the rider, Toohey, whose riding was regarded as being far from satisfactory.
***
THE High School Site – the ayes have it
As was confidently forecasted by “The Standard” the Referendum held on Saturday last resulted in an overwhelming majority in favor of the proposal to transfer the old cricket reserve to the Education Department as a site for a High School.
There was a large crowd outside the Shire Hall when the Shire President (Cr. W. Armstrong) at about 8 p.m. announced the result:
YES .. .. .. .. .. .. 642
No .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .82
Informal .. .. .. .. .. 5
The greatest enthusiasm prevailed.
Cheers were given for the Shire President and the returning officers of the various ratings, concluding with three cheers for “The Standard.”
***
AT the Frankston Police Court on Monday last before Messrs. C. W. Grant (chairman) and P. Wheeler, J.sP.
Arthur Edwin Sinclair was charged with riding a motorcycle at dangerous speed in Bay Street, Frankston, on the 20th January last, and on a second charge, with using dazzling headlights.
Senior-Constable Cullane conducted the prosecution.
Defendant pleaded not guilty.
Senior-Constable Cullane deposed that at 10.45 o’clock on the night in question he was on duty near the post office. He saw defendant on his machine travelling at a great speed about 30 miles an hour.
The picture show was just out and there were a large number of people about.
Defendant used dazzling headlights which lighted up the whole street.
Defendant: How do you know at what pace I was travelling?
Witness: I never saw an electric tram travel faster; you were out of sight in a few seconds.
Constable Mahoney gave corroborative evidence.
Defendant elected to make a statement. He said he had been riding a motorcycle for nine years, and had never been before the court on any charge.
On the night in question he was riding a new machine for the first time, and was not aware of the strength of the headlights.
The machine he considered could not travel 30 miles an hour, and on this occasion was not doing more than 15 or 18 miles.
The Senior-Constable said he had received numerous complaints relating to motor cyclists, and he asked that an example be made of defendant.
A fine of £2 on each charge was inflicted.
***
THE Frankston Pictures and Palais de Danse expect to give their first entertainment in their new theatre at Easter.
***
AN impudent piece of effrontery and vandalism was committed at Aspendale during the early hours of Sunday morning last when four men forcibly entered the private residence of, and in the absence of Mr. T. J. Rankin, known as “Corra Lynn,” in Foster Street, and had, as they termed it, a “good time,” in consuming a quantity of beer and spirits and smoking the best cigars.
Not satisfied with that they set to work and completely demolished the whole of the furnishings and furniture, piano, etc., breaking all the ornaments and electric light globes in the place.
As the owner expressed it, the place resembled a shambles.
This took place in full view of some of the residents at the hour of 4am.
After their sojourn at “Corra Lynn” they leisurely took themselves off in a motor car which was waiting for them on the back road.
Not satisfied with the damage they had already done they next visited “Como,” Nepean Road, and awakened the occupants, demanding money, as they said “to buy groceries.”
After leaving the occupants in a state of great fear in event of any attempt to follow them, they took all the available cash and entered the car again opposite Retreat Avenue and drove slowly towards the city.
The police were quickly on the scene. Unfortunately, the number of the car was obliterated and could not be discerned in the half light of the early morning.
The all-night patrol, as suggested by this paper, is an absolute necessity, as the police cannot be expected to be on duty day and night, and even when, as we understand, the present officer does at least 16 hours a day at the present time.
What more could be humanely expected?
***
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 21 & 23 Feb 1923
