Compiled by Cameron McCullough
MR. E. P. Davies, the radio expert of Bay street, Frankston is installing a complete wireless set (4-valve) at the popular Pier Hotel for Mr. G. M. Yuill, the new licensee.
Yesterday morning, Mr. Davies was busily engaged testing the set at his well-known parlours when a representative of “The Standard” made his appearance on the scene, and the journalist spent a few minutes listening to a violin solo broadcasted by the 3LO station from Buckley & Nunn’s, Melbourne.
Frankston Fire Brigade. Tomorrow Night the Bell Will Ring.
When the alarm re-sounds at 8.30 o’clock tomorrow (Thursday) night, do not rush from your house with the idea that you are about to witness a big blaze – a spectacular conflagration.
If you do so, you will be disappointed, because, at that precise moment the fire bell on the new tower will be tested.
Mr. A. Coxall, secretary of the Frankston Fire Corps, informed us last Monday that the members of the brigade held a working-bee on Sunday, and took the bell down off the old tower, and put it up again on the new structure recently purchased.
At the present time practice is in force every night, the members, under the astute command of Capt. D. H. Petrie, keeping fit for the demonstrations which will eventuate at Warrnambool next March.
The corps, which numbers fourteen all told, have never taken more than three minutes in getting out with the reel to the scene of a fire, and when a few weeks ago the alarm was raised, one Friday night, that a bathing shed on the foreshore was alight, the distance from the fire station to Beach street was covered in the record pace of two minutes.
Well done, Frankston Fire Brigade!
THE Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) is staying at his Frankston house. He will remain there until Monday next, when he will leave for Sydney.
Mornington News. Appeals against shire valuations.
The appeals against valuations made recently by the Shire Valuator, were heard at the Court of Petty Sessions on Friday last, before Mr. Knight, P.M., and Messrs. A. McMillian, and R. Grace, J.’sP.
In each case the appeals were dismissed, with costs against the appellant.
The Police Magistrate was disposed to hold the belief that the rate should be struck, after the capital value had been assessed, minus all out-going charges, such as rates, insurance, depreciation, etc.
Mr. W. S. Cook, who appeared for the Shire Council, held the view that the rate should be struck on the capital value alone, and quoted the case of the tramways in support of his contention.
The P.M. finally accepted this view.
Personal
Mr. L. R. Davies, of Frankston, is at present away on a business and holiday trip to Sydney.
Mr. F. K. Loane, organiser for the whole of Flinders in the interests of the National Federation, visited Frankston yesterday (Tuesday).
We regret to state that the condition of Mr. E. K. McComb’s son, who has been laid up for some time, is reported to be far from satisfactory. However, it is hoped he may soon take a turn for the better.
It is also regrettable to announce that Mr. A. B. Morris, of Frankston, whose health has been causing great anxiety, is not making progress to wards recovery, as expected. He is reported to be very ill.
The Frankston park oval. Another anonymous and generous Donor to the rescue.
Recently when Cr. McCulloch was asked at a meeting of the Frankston Park Improvement Committee, what the Council intended to do in regard to fulfilling its part of the bargain to look after the upkeep of the oval, he replied to the effect that the Council could not even buy a “Frankfurt.”
In view of the Council’s apparent total inability to fulfill its obligation in the desired direction, it is pleasurable to record that Mr. P. S. McGovern is now in a position to report the good news that another anonymous and generous donor has given £84 for the purchase of a lawn mower for the park.
Evidently, the spirit of true citizenship is very much alive. May it remain so until at least the Council gets out of the mire of financial difficulties.
That Carrum bridge block. Should not be two cars on bridge at same time. PM voices local view.
The accident at the Carrum Bridge when upwards of 900 motors were held up on the Sunday of January 4 last, was the cause of a protracted case at the Chelsea Court on Monday, when Walter. H. Hobson was charged with alleged negligent driving.
Hobson was represented by Mr. G. Stafford and the police case conducted by Constable Feehan of Carrum.
Hobson pleaded not guilty.
Albert Balfour, a young man who has been much in the Court limelight of recent years, and who was the principal in the well-known “Pals” boat expedition, was the aggrieved complainant.
He stated that when he was travelling across the bridge on his right side of the road at about five miles an hour, he saw a car approaching him when three-quarters of the way across the Carrum Bridge.
The car swerved into him and struck his hind wheel and axle. His brake was affected and there were other injuries.
Mr. Stafford cross questioned Balfour severely on his previous police court history, but Mr. Cohen directed Mr Stafford to confine himself to cases dealing with motor car accidents and collisions.
With the assistance of two tiny model motors, Mr Stafford endeavored to get the witnesses to explain the position at the time of the accident.
After the collision between Balfour and Hobson, the latter’s car turned round and went to go through the side of the bridge blocking the fairway. A Ford crashed in after the smash.
Much evidence was given. Walter Hobson stated that he was on his right side of the bridge, but Balfour was over the side he should have been on Balfour swerved when he approached and that was how his car came into collision with Balfour’s back wheel.
Mr. P. Cohen, P.M., who presided over a bench consisting of Messrs. H. Hunter, D. Bowman and G. R. A Beardsworth, J’sP., stated that in his opinion there was no negligence, no evidence as to being on the wrong side of the road.
There were two gravel beams and it was quite possible and probable that both drivers swerved to avoid the beams. Drivers with a knowledge of the bridge would never have met at the spot.
“I think” he said in conclusion, “that there should never be two motor cars on the bridge at the one time”.
Constable Feehan – That is a matter for the Council.
The charge was accordingly dismissed.
THE Prime Minister (Mr. Bruce) is staying at his Frankston house. He will remain there until Monday next, when he will leave for Sydney.
Australia’s population. Latest figures.
On September 30, 1924, the estimated population of Australia was 15,835,187. The population of New South Wales alone was 2,238,260, while that of Victoria was 1,647,808.
For the quarter ended September 30, the number of births in Australia totalled 35,466 (18,121 males), the deaths amounting to 15,266.
Infantile mortality was greater in Victoria during the first nine months of 1924 than in any other state, being 63.92 to 1000 births.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 18 & 20 Feb 1925