Compiled by Cameron McCullough
THE mineral possibilities of Frankston are not fully realised, and in that direction it is interesting to learn that during last week some attractive specimens of copper ore were discovered on Mr. Norman W. Clement’s property, Hastings road, about two to three feet from the surface of the ground.
Mr. Clements states that while it may not be rich enough to work, it is only natural to assume it should be better lower from the surface.
Frankston Police Court
Before Messrs. Grant (chairman), Armstrong, Brown, and Cr. Gray, J.’s P.).
CHARGE OF VAGRANCY
At the above Court yesterday morning, a derelict in the ever-ebbing tide of humanity, John Sinisalo, 32, by nationality a Finn, stood before their worships to answer a charge of being an “idle and disorderly person,” in as much that he had insufficient and no visible means of support.
Accused:. I’m caught by a spirit; I’m not guilty.
Senior-Constable Elliott deposed that about midday on Saturday last, and in consequence of intelligence received, he interrogated Sinisalo in Bay street, Frankston. Accused said he was a Finn, and his name was as stated.
He (witness) then asked him “What are you doing in Frankston?” to which accused replied: “I’m a swagman.” Continuing his evidence, Frankston’s chief officer stated that investigations had proved that accused had, of late, been wandering around Seaford, and finding a resting place for his weary head at night in vacant houses.
Further, an examination of his so-called swag, revealed only a broken bottle, a knife, and some old papers – not what could be classed as a sartorial outfit.
“This man,” said the senior-constable, “was discharged from goal on the 13th Sept., 1924, after serving three months on a similar charge.”
Accused objected to the foregoing assertion.
Senior-Constable Elliott: Evidence can be given to that effect.
More interruptions followed, where upon the Clerk of Courts said to the miserable-looking Sinisalo: “Just listen to what the witness says.”
Witness, in reply to the chairman:
“I had him examined by Dr. Maxwell, who diagnosed he was run down through not having sufficient food and care.’ Accused, on his own admission, added the senior-constable, stated he has done no work for years.
Personally, I do not think he is alright. We can get very little out of him except talk about the spirit.
When arrested he declared the spirit had to do with it.
Accused again muttered something.
Clerk of Courts: You heard what the witness said: Have you any questions to ask?
Senior-Constable: He doesn’t seem to understand things.
Angus Francis Turnley, residing on Pt. Nepean road, Seaford, in the course of his evidence, said he recognised accused, and had seen him on Saturday morning (15th. inst.). “I saw this man,” he told the Bench, “come in through the front gate of my place, and as I have had burglars there, I am suspicious of these fellows, so I thought I would watch and see what he, was going to do.
I let him prowl around the place, explained this witness, and I went through the house and shut the back door. I waited to see if he would call out: ‘Bottle-ho!’ to see whether his intentions were honest, but he gave no sign of doing or saying anything.
I opened the door and found he had passed and had gone round to the other side of the house. He then went to a little wood shed (possibly the little grey home for a rest), so I took observations, proceeded the witness, through the lattice of the back verandah, and he had a bottle in his hand, and as there were some carpenter’s tools…
Senior-Constable (interjecting): He didn’t touch anything?
Witness: No. I asked him: “What are you doing there?” and he said: “Can you give me a bit of tucker?”
I replied: “I don’t like the look of you; what are you doing with the bottle ?” and he answered: “To carry a bit of something.”
Senior-Constable (to accused): Do you wish to ask him anything?
Accused: I’m a sick man. I’ve sore hands (holding them up for inspection).
The Chairman (Mr. Grant, J.P.): Has he ever been sentenced before?
Accused: I was caught by a spirit.(Creepy sensations in Court).
Senior-Constable: He says he has a mark on his hand.
Accused was sentenced to one month, and Senior-Constable Elliott was authorised to attach to the warrant of commitment a recommendation that he be given the necessary attention by the authorities.
Thus fell the curtain on one of these episodes which go to make up the sordid drama of meagre existence.
Obituary – Mrs. Harriett McComb
Another old and highly-esteemed resident of Frankston has passed beyond the Valley of the Shadow in the personality of Mrs. Harriet McComb, wife of Mr. Thos. McComb, one of the pioneers of the district, which sad event occurred on Friday last, at the age of 70.
The deceased who first saw the light at Collingwood, spent practically all her life in our midst, and her demise, although not unexpected, will be widely deplored by all who knew her, for her endearing disposition won many friends.
The late Mrs. McComb belonged to the Bentick family, who assisted so materially to pioneer the Frankston district.
Mrs. Burton, another grand old lady, who resides in the Dandenong road, is a sister, while Messrs. Albert Bentick (Altona), and Charles Bentick (Mentone) are brothers. Other survivors are Mr. E. K. McComb, Mrs. Garrood, Mrs. Moon (Frankston); Mrs. Rae (W.A.); Mrs. Mitchell (East Melbourne); Mrs. McGreal (Ivanhoe), and Nurse Etna McComb (Melbourne). A son, Ernest, paid the Supreme Sacrifice in the War.
The funeral took place on Sunday to the local cemetery, the Rev. A. E. Wellard officiating. Mr. H. Gamble had charge of the arrangements.
To Mr. McComb and family we offer our deepest sympathy in their bereavement.
Obituary – Mr. John Chas. Garrood
Truly it has been said: “In the midst of life we are in death.”
On the same day which chronicled the death of Mrs. McComb, Mr. Garrood, senr., of Frankston, while sawing off the limb of a tree in the garden of his son’s residence (Mr. H. Garrood) met with an accident which later proved fatal.
Mr. H. Garrood, who had been sympathising with his wife on the death of her mother, Mrs. McComb, little deemed that within a few hours his father’s demise would be so tragically recorded.
The late Mr. Garrood was the son of a portrait painter and photographer. He was born at Hertfordshire, England, 74 years ago. He leaves a widow and two sons, Mr. H. J. Garrood (Frankston), and Mr. J. C. Garrood (Sydney), to mourn their sad loss, and to whom we tender our heartfelt sympathy.
As a photographer, the late Mr. Garrood won a distinctive reputation, and had few equals in Australia.
He evinced a keen interest in St. Paul’s Church, and on Sunday the vicar of Frankston, the Rev. A. P. McFarlane, performed the last sad rites at the graveside in the local cemetery, where the remains were interred.
Mr. Gamble had charge of the funeral arrangements.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 19 & 21 Nov 1924