Compiled by Cameron McCullough
AT a late hour on Friday night last during the sitting of the council, Cr. Oates moved his famous resolution, that the services of the Shire Engineer be dispensed with, giving him one month’s notice, and, if carried, applications for a consulting engineer be invited.
In speaking to his motion, Cr. Oates said he regretted the leading article which had appeared in the local paper (“The Standard”).
He did not think it should have been printed, especially as that paper was the official organ of the council.
His reason for moving in such a direction was that, today, the very first tender called for, Cr. Alden had asked where they were going to get the money to carry it out.
“We have got to stop works and pull right up,” contended Cr. Oates. “We had a job to get £40 to spend in our own riding. As business men,” he went on, “representing the ratepayers, how can we keep going paying for the services of an engineer when we have, practically, no works to do”.
It is not a pleasure to me to move this, or take part in a discussion, but we are put here by the ratepayers to see that their interests are looked after, and if we have got no money for our engineer to spend, how can we ask the ratepayers to pay this money away?” further queried Cr. Gates.
On these grounds he had moved the resolution.
Cr. Oates resumed his seat, after which a painful silence ensued, broken only by the crackling embers of the fire in the gra(ea)te object of resolve – the economic brain-wave.
Possibly mental telepathy began to play havoc in the minds of the other councillors around the table, and wireless thoughts reverted to the times, without number, when an astute and fully-qualified engineer’s advice had saved them from many pitfalls.
Then the President asked: Any seconder to that motion?
Cr. Longmuir: I will second it. On account of the financial position at the present time, he averred, we have got to keep expenses down. He also referred to overhead charges.
Cr. Alden: In duty bound, I must support this motion. There is no doubt but that our overhead charges are all out of reason.
Cr. Wells asked Cr. Gates what salary he suggested should be paid a consulting engineer, and what commission ?
Cr. Oates: I believe that we can employ one at £3 a day. Some other councils are doing this with no commission at all. On what work w have to do in the course of the next two years there will be very little money spent.
He expressed the opinion that the services of the consulting engineer two or three days a month would suffice. (Sensation).
MR. PULLEN, manager of the quarry, run under the auspices of the Shire Council, appears to be a most capable man, actuated by a keen conception of what is required to make a success of the job over which he supervises responsible control, and what is more, he is a person of few words.
What he bluntly told the councillors at their monthly meeting last Friday night convincingly proved the assertion.
“The quarry is alright,” he said, “but the plant is not. Unless something is done it will come to an end.”
Such was his opinion, and it conveyed a lot.
“If the council could do the whole plant up,” he suggested, it would prove to be a paying proposition.”
The wiseacres of the Local Government body listened to the brief and concise ultimatum of the manager.
He, at their request, had appeared among them that auspicious evening, he knew, moreover, what he was talking about; for once they understood, and Mr. Pullen conquered.
Cr. Mason (ever on the alert): What is the present output?
Mr. Pullen (succinctly): Eighty a day.
Cr. Mason: And if the proposed alterations were made, what then?
Mr. Pullen: Nearly a hundred and fifty.
The Shire Engineer (Lieut.-Colonel Lazarus) supplemented further invaluable information on the matter.
Cr. McCulloch referred to an inspection made at the quarry, and gave forth the dictum that the belt and the winch were done. Another thing, there was only one crusher. However, there remained a point to remember, namely, “shifting of the quarry,” as he termed it.
The present winch would not be required. He knew of a winch that could be “got for a song.” Last month, he stated, the quarry, showed a profit, which it had never done before.
Finally, it was resolved that a new crusher and belt be secured.
The matter of the winch was left in the hands of Cr. McCulloch to try and obtain same for £20.
In short, Mr. Pullen had come, he had perceived, and he conquered!
Express Train Strikes Jinker – Occupants Escape Injury
Crossing over the Frankston Road open level crossing at Dandenong, about midday on Saturday, the South Eastern Gippsland Express crashed into a jinker containing two men that was being driven over the crossing.
The occupants of the jinker, Messrs. W. Thomas and J Thompson, of Somerville, were thrown from the jinker clear of the path of the train and escaped injury.
The jinker was completely destroyed.
WE are pleased to report that Mr. John Hay has sufficiently, recovered from the operation which he underwent in Melbourne, and is able to return to his home in Frankston.
WE understand that Mr. A. B. Morris, who underwent a very severe operation in Melbourne last week, is making good progress. We wish him a speedy recovery.
WE are pleased to state that Master Ian Evans, who sustained a cut in one of his legs last week, and had several stiches inserted by Dr. Hilliard Johnson, is progressing favorably, in as much, that on Sunday Dr. Johnson was able to remove one of the stitches.
LAST Friday, subsequent to the luncheon adjournment, some of the councillors paid a visit of inspection to Oliver’s Hill, in connection with the water problem, which has become a vexed question.
In order to rectify matters, and cover the work necessary on a proper basis, it was estimated that the outlay would involve an expenditure of between £200 and £300.
Later in the day, Cr. Bradbury moved at the council table, that the matter be placed before the Country Roads Board to have it attended to.
It was stated that the Board had promised to send an engineer along for the purpose of inspection of the work required, but, so far, had not done so.
Frankston Football Club – Committee Meeting
The committee of the Frankston Football Club held its usual weekly meeting on Thursday evening at the Frankston House, there being present – Messrs. E. McComb (in the chair), Baxter, Willox, Wykes, Golds, Watkins, Gamble, Oates, Shannon, Young and Coxall (hon. sec.).
At the request of the committee, Mr Jack May was in attendance and the matter of the dispute between that gentleman and the club was fully discussed, and it was evident that no slight had been intended by the selection committee to Mr. May.
The matter was amicably settled, and Mr. May’s resignation withdrawn.
It was agreed to write to Norm Dess, asking if he would be available for selection in the team during the season.
Other routine business was gone through and the meeting terminated.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 18 & 20 Jun 1924