EARLY on Sunday morning last while putting a prisoner into the cell at the watch-house, on a charge of drunkenness, Senior–Constable Culhane and Constable Graham were wounded, the result of revolver shots.
From details to hand, it appears that the two officers mentioned had arrested a man named Hannah, a former policeman, lately stationed at Brighton, on a charge of drunkenness, and while locking him up a shot rang out.
Constable Graham fell to the ground.
Senior-Constable Culhane, who was turning out the light, rushed to the assistance of his fellow officer, when another shot was fired, striking the senior constable in the back of the left shoulder and lodging in the neck.
Hannah, in the meantime escaped, but was arrested at about 5am. by Constable Nicholls, of Mordialloc, on Mordialloc bridge, and was taken to the Mordialloc police station, and questioned as to his movements, being finally charged on two counts of shooting with intent to murder.
Senior–Constable Culhane, who was the more seriously wounded, was taken to Dr. Maxwell’s private hospital, where an operation was performed yesterday by Drs. Maxwell and Le Soeuf, and the bullet extracted.
This morning’s latest report is that he is progressing very favourably.
Constable Graham escaped with a grazed collar-bone, and was able to resume duty.
He attributes his good fortune to the fact that the overcoat which he was wearing at the time of the incident, was thickly padded on the shoulder, thereby preventing the bullet from penetrating.
Hannah appeared before the City court on Monday last, and was remanded until the 25th, bail being refused.
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A BRIGHT little lad Porter, employed at the Chelsea station, considers himself quite the hero of the moment.
Last Saturday Neil Nicholson, the porter referred to, rose at 4.30am in order to go on duty at 6am, starting early in order that he might get off at 1pm, and travel to Northcote to see his mother.
He did so, and, returning at night, tired out with his long day, he unfortunately fell asleep and was carried on to Frankston.
He there found three fellow passengers who had slept too soundly. They phoned for a car, and motored back to Carrum.
They reached “Chelsea.House”, where Neil boards. Neil skipped in for the cash to pay his fare.
Meantime events had happened. Two policemen had been shot at Frankston.
The Chelsea police had been telephoned, and were on the look out. No sooner did Neil come out than a local sleuth, who had meantime arrested the car and occupants on suspicion, told him “to step in”.
This he did, and without a word was whirled off to Frankston.
Not a word was said. Neil was conjuring up visions of being tried for murder, sedition and a hundred dreadful things.
They journeyed around Frankston and district until the small hours of the morning when they were told they could go home.
On the way back they were again held up by search parties of police.
Lights were flashed in their faces, and our hero cracked hardy, but felt a little shaky.
After a close scrutiny one of the police recognised the lad Porter from Chelsea, and as their innocence absolutely established they proceeded on their way.
Since then Neil has been the hero of the hour at Chelsea. All the girls look in him as a kind of modern Sir Galahad. Lucky Neil!
“Quite an exciting time”, he told our representative when interviewed. “I rose in the morning at 4.30am little dreaming of the exciting day before me. I arrived back at ‘Chelsea House’ tired, but thrilled, at 4.30am, exactly 24 hours later. I am too tired for words”.
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OWING to Senior–Constable Culhane’s illness, the result of a gunshot wound, Senior-Constable Wilson, of Woomelang, will take temporary charge of Frankston police station.
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RUMOUR has it that Frankston cricket will receive a great impetus by the inclusion of Mr. Ormsby, a prominent player in the junior cricket, that is, of course, provided Mr. Ormsby can find time to play, which is sincerely hoped for.
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CONGRATULATIONS to Miss Dulcie Logan, daughter; of Mr. and Mrs. Logan, Melbourne Road, Frankston, on her having secured a first diploma at the recent examinations held under the auspices of the Musical Society Victoria.
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Balnarring Beach Letter
Last weekend a good number of holiday makers frequented the beach owing to the fairly good weather.
Mr. D. and S. Robertson, of “Coolart”, landed nine nice large schnapper on Saturday last.
The seals are doing much damage to the fishing along the shore down these parts. It is a great pity that something could not be done so as to get rid of this pest.
The Hospital Sunday at the beach has been postponed until a later date owing to not being able to get the Naval Base Band.
Mr. Hager has been spending a good deal of time making tables and seats for the park at his own expense. It’s a great pity we had not a few more like him who are interested in the place. It would help to make things convenient for the public generally.
Mrs. Strain, of “Cheer-O” Refreshment Booth, has obtained a two years lease from the foreshore committee. Good luck to her! We all appreciate her strawberries and cream.
A good few enquiries have been made re the beach blocks. Things are quietly on the move.
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Frankston Police Court
On Tuesday last, before Messrs. C. W. Grant (chairman), and J. Brown, J’s.P., Augustivus Livingstone was charged with being drunk and disorderly. Augustivus, in consequence, will have to pay 20/-, or retire into forced seclusion for 48 hours.
Fred. Gilbert was charged, that he did, on 17th inst., steal a dress of the value of £1, property of Ida Gallas.
Ida Gallas, the complainant, draper, of Playne Street, deposed that on Saturday, 17th inst.; about 6 p.m., that she was standing in the doorway of her shop, when defendant spoke to her. She then went inside, and coming out again after defendant had left, found that a dress was missing.
She saw defendant again in a tearoom, and asked him to give up what he had taken out of her shop. She valued the dress at £1.
Constable Graham said that on Saturday, 17th inst., at 6.30 p.m., he saw defendant, and told that he answered the description of a man who was seen in a draper’s shop in Playne street, Frankston, and he would take him back for identification.
On the way back Constable Graham was informed that a dress was lying on a vacant piece of ground, and asked accused whether he had seen the dress before.
Accused said he had not, and when questioned at the police station, denied having been in the shop or seeing the dress.
Accused had been drinking and was very excited.
Accused pleaded “not guilty”, and said that he had been wounded in the head, and when he took a few drinks, did not know what occurred.
After deliberation, the chairman, admonished the defendant, and adjourned the case for 13 weeks.
A claim by complainant for damage to dress, was disallowed.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 21 & 23 Nov 1923
