Compiled by Cameron McCullough
RATEPAYERS of the Shire of Frankston and Hastings will not view with equanimity the decision, of the council to close the shire offices on all weekdays except Wednesdays and for half a day on Saturdays.
This arrangement was agreed to at a special meeting of the council held on Monday last, when the serious financial position of the shire was discussed.
An official notification to the foregoing effect appears in the advertising columns in this issue.
The council came to its decision “in committee,” and, consequently, the arguments for and against the proposal could not be divulged by the Press.
Considering that £2000 is available for collection under the denomination of “arrears of rates,’, It does not appear reasonable that facilities for payment of outstanding amounts should be curtailed.
It may be that the council intend dispensing with the office staff, in which case, of course, the “closed door” would be understandable. If the staff is to be retained there seems to be no sound argument why the transaction of public business should not be proceeded with as usual.
When seen yesterday, Miss McNeil, the assistant shire secretary, was not disposed to comment on the subject.
It is understood that the new arrangement is to start next week and continue for three months.
At all events, the closing of the office under the conditions mentioned appears to be a direct contravention of the Act.
DURING the monthly sitting of the Frankston and Hastings Shire Council in July, the question relative to the forming of a footpath for the protection of pedestrians, near to the cutting at Oliver’s Hill, was discussed, and the Shire Secretary was instructed to again approach the owners of certain land in the vicinity with the ostensible object of purchasing a small portion to meet the exigency of pending disaster.
In a recent article in “The Standard,” it was pointed out that the position was Gilbertian, seeing it was alleged that the point of land in question did not belong to the parties mentioned, but came under the jurisdiction of the Country Roads Board.
As the result of the said article, Mr. E. J. Madden called at “The Standard” office yesterday, and, in the course of an interview, asserted that he holds the title alright, and has never refused to sell the particular portion of land which the council desires to buy for the safety of the public.
Moreover, he is prepared to sell 10ft. for pedestrian traffic, and averred that all along he had been quite willing to do so.
From the fore going, we emphasise that as the outcome of the special article, the difficulty with which the council was faced has, apparently, been removed.
ELECTRIC CURRENT REDUCED
The price of current having been reduced 1d per unit, it is desirable to increase the number of consumers and, as a further inducement, the price of installations has been reduced to 24/- per point for the month of August only.
THE huge motor wagon of the Commonwealth Oil Refinery Ltd. made a further road delivery to Frankston this week. Almost every motor spirit consumer in Frankston is now using the C.O.R. motor spirit, which is refined for Australians in Australia.
PERSONAL
Last week Mr. James Millard, of Frankston, was seized with an attack of pneumonia. Latest reports state that his condition is satisfactory.
Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Benson and family leave Frankston today for Belgrave, where they will spend a fortnight’s holiday.
The Shire Secretary, Mr. John E. Jones, who has been ill for nearly a fortnight, is, we are pleased to state, now making good progress towards recovery.
Mr. Robert Macafee, who has been under the care of the doctor for some days past, is now recovering, and hopes to be able to return to business next week.
We are pleased to be able to report that Master Bert McCulloch, son of Cr. and Mrs. H. J. McCulloch, of Frankston, is very much improved, under the care of Dr. Maxwell and Sister Creswick.
The friends of Mr. W. Macafee, tailor, of Bay street, Frankston, will regret to learn that his son, Leonard, aged 18 years, has again been stricken with a serious illness. He has been removed to “Stanlee” private hospital, Caulfield. Only a few months ago Mr Macafee lost his eldest son, and, later still, suffered a sad bereavement in the death of his wife.
A Tribute to Mrs Dodd
“Somethings attempted, something done”
These lines of Longfellow may be aptly applied to Mrs. Gertrude Dodd, of the famous drapery house, Young street, Frankston.
Three years ago Mrs. Dodd opened a small drapery business in Young street and backed by the grit and determination synonymous with that of our early pioneers, moreover, with practically no capital, has achieved a wonderful success, and lasting monument to her enterprise and ability.
Mrs. Dodd possesses that marvellous gift which many salesmen envy, the gift of personality and pleasing forcefulness. She is certainly a lady possessing an experience which can only be obtained by serving in the wider school of business.
She was leading saleswoman at Bourne and Hollingsworth, Oxford street, London, and this can well be compared with the largest house in Melbourne.
It is to her credit that she took up the reigns at a time when her husband, who is a returned soldier, was not in the best of health, and showed what a woman can do.
Unfortunately, the strain has been too much for Mrs. Dodd; and following an operation on her throat last year she has been medically advised to take a complete rest from business for a while.
Mr. and Mrs. Dodd and their boy are leaving shortly for Parkdale to go into private life, and we feel confident it is the wish of the Frankston and district people that the rest may have the desired effect.
Mrs. Dodd desires to convey her thanks and appreciation to her many patrons during her term of business.
OBITUARY – MR. EDWARD JONES
It is with sincere regret that we have to record the death of Mr. Edward Jones, of Moorooduc, who passed peacefully away this (Friday) morning at the advanced age of eighty three.
The deceased was a vigorous man during the course of an unblemished career, and as a well-known Government contractor, carried out, in that responsible capacity, important works in both Victoria and Tasmania.
The late Mr. Jones resided at Moorooduc for many years. He always manifested a keen interest in public affairs, and won the highest esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
The sad intelligence of his demise will be greatly and widely deplored.
The deceased was the husband of the late Sarah Jones, and father of Mr. J. E. Jones (shire secretary), Emma (Mrs. Woodhouse), Mary (Mrs Morris), Geo. E., Frank W., Alice (Mrs. Shepherd), and Mr. Charles W. Jones, to whom we extend our deepest sympathy in their bereavement.
The funeral will take place at the Mornington cemetery at 3pm next Sunday.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 30 Jul & 1 Aug 1924