Compiled by Cameron McCullough
IN his half-yearly report to the Mornington Council, the Shire Secretary states:
“Once again I would bring under your notice the unjust maximum demand made quarterly. During the last six months the Council has paid £75 for current which it never had, and for the previous twelve months when only read yearly it was considered worse.
In seaside places the influx of population and consequent extra consumption of current may be taken to extend from November to the end of April, so that even with quarterly readings the only real benefit is over one quarter of the year (July to end of September), moreover the price paid is too high.
In the last six months the number of consumers has risen from 320 to 400, and when it is considered that the scheme started with 94, some consideration should be given by the State Electricity Commission to a reduction or a monthly reading, for if it paid overhead charges at the start, now they must be making a considerable profit when the number of consumers has increased fourfold.
No benefit has occurred from the Mount Martha extension during the present six months, but it should be of value during the next, as all the connections will be completed by Easter.
Those at the Mt. Martha end have been receiving the current for some time.
One gratifying feature is the extra quantity of current now being used for power purposes.
A railway to Sorrento – alternative proposal. Line from Moorooduc
Suggestions for the construction of a railway from Moorooduc through Dromana and Rye to Sorrento were made at a deputation last Wednesday to the Minister of Railways.
It was stated that an extension of the present Red Hill line would not serve either the agricultural or tourist traffic in the area.
In introducing the deputation, Mr. W. Tyner, M.L.C., said the proposed railway from Moorooduc to Sorrento would be 23 miles long – a saving of 15 miles, as compared with the suggested extension from Red Hill which was being considered by the Railways Standing Committee.
A Bayside line would serve a large tourist traffic.
Cr. D. MacFarlan (Sorrento), of the Flinders Shire Council, said an extension of the Red Hill line, whilst involving heavy costs, would not serve Rye, Dromana or Sorrento.
The east side, of the Bay was developing rapidly.
Mr. L. McInnes, of Rye, said the long distance to a railway station was bad for livestock on the Peninsula.
Mr. H. B. Slaney (Mornington) said that if the Red Hill line were built it would be difficult to get authority for the Bayside line.
The Minister: The Red Hill line has a gathering ground on each side. The line you propose has the sea on one side.
Mr. Griffith (Mornington): The area carries a greater population than the agricultural districts further in.
The Minster: If you could guarantee that the people would use the train it would be simple, but 80 per cent of the population uses motor cars and boats.
Mr. Griffith: Motors started to take passengers away from the trains at Mornington, but the establishment of a rail motor on the line put the motors out of business.
The Minister: Train fares would be higher than motor fares. Continuing, he said the Government was not opposed to motor traffic. He was not anxious that railway lines should be constructed at high cost in areas where motors would be more suitable.
Mr. Griffith said the proposed line could be constructed cheaply. The Red Hill line was a mistake, and with only three trains a week and no trucking facilities there was no chance of it paying.
In reply, the Minister said the proposition was a difficult one from a railway point of view. He would consider the proposal and see if it could be submitted to the Railways Standing Committee. If the tourist traffic would warrant the construction of the line it would be carefully considered.
Boy scout movement A branch to form in Frankston
A movement for the introduction of a detachment of Boy Scouts in Frankston, which Scout Brown has been quietly advocating ever since he came here, has been so far successful that a Scout-master has been secured in the person of ex-Staff S.M. Thexton, and the first meeting of all intending members is being called for Friday night, May 1 in the Rechabites’ Hall, Thompson street, at 8 o’clock.
Lieut.-Colonel Lazarus, who has been interesting himself in the movement, will preside at the meeting, and it is hoped that the inauguration will prove very successful, and that the boys will be there in full force.
In the meantime any information will be gladly supplied by him on application at his office, that of Messrs. Lazarus & Jenkins, Bay street, Frankston.
Later a meeting of all interested, including parents, guardians, and friends, will be called at which the District Scout-master will be present and deliver an address.
Personal
We regret to learn that Mr. Jas. Lambie, of Mornington road, is indisposed.
Mrs. Marshall, of Bay street, Frankston, is spending a fortnight’s holiday at Daylesford.
Mr. C. Upton, of the railway relieving staff, is at present located at Frankston during the absence of Mr. A. Tasker, who is on annual leave.
Miss Ruby Jones, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. Jones, of Wells street, Frankston, underwent an operation for appendicitis at the Alfred Hospital on Tuesday last. Her condition is stated to be satisfactory.
Mrs. Edmund Collins, well known in Frankston, is acting vice-president of the Berry street Foundling Home, the president of which institution is Mrs. Montague Cohen, who is described in the current number of “The Baby World” as “a natural philanthropist, lover of children, and good business Woman.”
Mr. G. W. Wells, accompanied by Mr. A. G. Tasker, is visiting Mr. G. Patroni, at St. James. Mr. Patroni recently purchased an up-to-date hotel there. His father, Mr. Peter Patroni, was at one time the licensee of the Pier Hotel, at Frankston, who is at present on a trip to Italy.
Mr. E. P. Davies, of Frankton, under special engagement to the Korrumburra Caledonian Society, was present at their annual smoke night held at Korumburra recently.
This is the second trip Mr. Davies has made to the land of black diamonds, and his versatility in song and story was much appreciated.
Cr. R. F. Miles who has been touring Tasmania, returned to Frankston this week. He looks well after his holiday, and states that he had a most interesting and enjoyable time.
He visited Launceston, Hobart, the east coast, and returned home via Burnie, which town he says is likely to boom if the scheme for establishing the paper pulping industry there is brought to fruition.
Mr. C. R. Long, who resides at Frankston, is editor of the School Paper, and a senior inspector of State schools. He is due for retirement on August 31, as he will be 66 years of age on that date.
He joined the service nearly 48 years ago. His name is a household word, as the School Paper goes into every home, and the children revere the man who provides them with reading lessons which they have always found attractive.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 24 April 1925