Compiled by Cameron McCullough
THE recent “Standard” article, entitled “A District in Fetters,” has attracted considerable attention throughout the Peninsula, and a movement is being spoken of amongst fruit growers to establish a local fruit-canning industry, as suggested by “The Standard.”
The following particulars relating to the canning industry at Shepparton will be read with interest.
Despite the temporary setbacks of fly pests, the fruit-canning season in Victoria which has just closed has been most successful.
Shepparton Co-operative Cannery has beaten all records, having processed no fewer than 4,500,000 tins for the season, which is 1,000,000 tins more than in the previous year, and has, it is believed, established a Commonwealth record.
As far as Shepparton is concerned, the feature of the whole business is the wonderful local demand throughout Australia for its canned products.
Orders are being received from all parts of the Commonwealth, and there seems no doubt that all lines of fruit will be cleared.
The chairman of the Water Commission (Mr. Cattanach) stated on Thursday that the pack represented roughly 4000 tons of fruit, and the directors of the company maintained that the reason for their popularity was that they were canned in the orchard where they were grown, and that the grading was not only equal, but superior to the products of any outside country.
The company had now been so successful with the canned fruits that it was seriously considering the manufacture of jam, for which the directors were receiving numerous requests from grocers and others.
This line of manufacture could be introduced at practically no additional cost, in view of the splendid nature of the plant now owned by the company.
The small quantities of jam already manufactured at Shepparton had obtained such a high reputation and ready sale that it was felt the manufacture could be easily extended, and thus make an additional outlet for the fruit-growers of Shepparton.
The whole fruit position had materially altered for the better, added Mr. Cattanach, and the advertising campaign, in which Mr. Clapp, of the railways, had taken such a prominent part, had been responsible for practically doubling the consumption of canned fruit in Victoria.
Although this consumption was still considerably less than that of other countries, such as the United States, it was now getting on a basis comparable to outside countries.
But there was little doubt that if the quality were sustained the consumption could be still further increased.
While the figures for Shepparton were so large, it was gratifying to find that the new co-operative factory at Kyabram was coming on steadily, and during the season just closed there must have been something like 1,200,000 tins of fruit processed, and in connection with its products the advantage obtained by Shepparton in regard to the fruit being dealt with at the orchard applied equally so to Kyabram, the result being that its brand was steadily coming forward in the estimation of the public.
IN future all communications, reports, etc., intended for insertion in this paper must bear the signature of the sender, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Editor.
A Popular Teacher Farewelled
Miss Ivy Cunningham, daughter of Mr. W. B. Cunningham, of Frankston, who has been teaching at the local State school for some time past, has received word that she has been appointed head teacher of the Appin South State School.
Miss Cunningham will commence duties in her new sphere on April 28.
On Thursday morning the staff and children of the Frankston school assembled under the spreading branches of the now historic pine tree, to officially farewell Miss Cunningham.
Mr. Jennings, the headmaster, in a lengthy, eulogistic speech, deplored the departure of Miss Cunningham, but took consolation in the thought that Frankston’s great loss would be Appin’s gain.
Miss Cunningham had been a pupil of the school, and was today severing many old ties; but he hoped that the good people of the northern plains would early recognise the treasure they had secured, and try to make her lot among them happy.
He was sure such a hard working and efficient teacher would soon command their admiration.
On behalf of the children and staff he then presented Miss Cunningham with a travelling rug, and amid cheers “She’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” and “Auld Lang Syne,” she was wished good luck.
Changes in the Railway Staff
Railway travellers will be sorry to know that the popular young boy porter, Jack Phelan, has been transferred to Alexandra.
This has been done practically at his own request, as his parents live up in that district.
Jack was well liked at Frankston, everyone speaking well of him, and he was regarded by the S.M. and others as being a most reliable and willing lad, always pleasant and ready to oblige.
Prior to his departure the Station Master, on behalf of the staff, presented him with a small wallet of notes as a token of esteem, and wished him good luck.
Mr. Maloney, from Alexandra, takes his place here.
Mr. Bellingham, one of the signalmen at the Frankston Railway Station, who recently joined the ranks of the Benedicts, has now returned to Frankston, after a honeymoon spent in the Western District.
The station staff, per medium of their courteous S. M. (Mr. Lalor) made a very nice presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Bellingham of a very handsome tea set.
In making the presentation Mr. Lalor expressed the very great pleasure it gave him, on behalf of the members of the staff, in asking Mr. Bellingham to accept the present as a token of the regard in which he is held by his fellow employees, who on behalf of his wife and self, and a very long and happy life.
Mr. Bellingham briefly responded on behalf of his wife and self, and thanked them all very sincerely for their kind action.
QUITE recently we published an article on the question of the retention of Anzac Day as a day sacred in the annals of the Commonwealth, and while this was being read we had at the same time the sorry spectacle of the retail traders of Melbourne declaring that 80 per cent of the returned soldiers were in favour of Anzac Day being observed on the Sunday nearest to April 25, and that their customers also desired it.
However, quite vigorously we find both the President of the Returned Soldiers (Mr. Turnbull) and the President of the “Dads” (Mr. J. Clayton) giving this an emphatic denial from the soldiers’ standpoint.
It is patent, therefore, that action will have to be taken in our Legislative Halls to secure the preservation of this day inviolate.
Every branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. should carry a resolution protesting strongly against any desecration of the day, as we have before declared, the day which marks an epoch in the history of Australia.
Therefore, “diggers” and others see, to it. Get busy, and insist upon the day being made of such a character as will preserve it for all time as “The Day.”
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 23 & 25 Apr 1924
