Compiled by Cameron McCullough
Legal argument had postponed a claim at a previous court for £20 for an assault by a dog on a child at Chelsea, Mr. P. Cohen, P.M., having reserved his decision.
It arose over the biting of a child of Robert Joseph Lambert while on his way to school.
Mr. J. M. Hickford, of Hickford & Murray, appeared for Mrs. Amy Chittenden, a widow, the owner of the dog in question. Mr. Reg. Wadham spoke for Lambert.
The case was heard on Monday at the Chelsea Court.
Mr. Hickford submitted that an infant could not sue in Petty Sessions except (and by his next friend) in a case of wages or for work and labour done.
After hearing argument from Mr. Wadham, Mr. Cohen held that a minor could so sue.
Mrs. Amy Wills said she lived at the back of a lane where children passed to go to school. On March 11 she heard the scream of a child in fear. She looked up and saw little Bobby Lambert with his arms against a fence and Mrs. Chittenden’s dog jumping at him. She said angrily to the dog: “Get away Bully,” and the dog got down from the child and ran into Mrs. Chittenden’s house.
She called out: “Mrs. Chittenden! Mrs. Chittendenl Your dog is off the chain and has bitten a little boy.” “Nonsense,” replied Mrs. Chittenden, who was sitting on chair on the veranda.
The dog was generally tied with a chain which allowed it to run along a fence wire.
Mr. Hickford: Did you ever say that the child fell on the wire fence and thus got hurt?
Mrs. Wills: No, never.
Is there any barbed wire on the fence? On the top strand only.
Mrs. Bertha Lambert, mother of the child, said that Bobby came home crying and upset. She asked him if he had been teasing a dog, and he said he had not. He said a dog broke off his chain and rushed him and pushed him up against the fence.
The boy was bitten on the fingers and on the lips, and was bruised from the elbow to the shoulder.
Robert Joseph Lambert, father of the child, said when he returned home he found his little boy very much upset. He took him along to Mrs. Chittenden, and said: “Your dog has bitten my child.” She laughed at the idea.
Another lady who was present said: “The children have been teasing the dog.” Mrs. Chittenden said: “I know your boys; they go past here frequently and carry lunch cases.”
My boys do not carry lunch cases. He told Mrs. Chittenden that the dog would have to be destroyed, to which she rejoined: “If my dog is destroyed I will get a more vicious one.”
The doctor’s fee for attending the child was a guinea, and he was kept home ill for fourteen days. He still suffers from the shock, as he is only nine.
Mr. Hickford: There is no evidence that the child was not in the yard.
Boys love to tease dogs, rattle sticks along fences, and when the dogs bark, rattle the more. One guinea receipt is shown from the doctor, but it is significant that the doctor is not here to give evidence. It is quite possible that the child was in the yard and the dog became frantic and broke loose.
At all events, a claim for £20 damages is absurd.
Mrs. Amy Chittenden, widow, said that Lambert was not speaking the truth when he said that she told him if her dog were destroyed she would get a worse dog. He said the child had been bitten. “I said ‘I doubt it’.”
He demanded that the dog be destroyed. I said “Why?” He said the dog was dangerous. I said the dog was not dangerous, but that the children were always teasing it. I told him I could not live without a dog to protect me, as I had had my pony let out, fowls and wood stolen.
Mr. Bruce at Mornington – The necessity of Defence
The Prime Minister was present at the annual meeting of Mornington branch of the National Federation on Monday evening. There was a large attendance.
Mr. Bruce received a great ovation.
He explained the ideals of Nationalism. The National party was the party of great ideals. We should make Australia the freest democracy in the world for all classes.
In Western Australia he had tried to impress upon the people that the National party was out for justice to the rich and generosity to the poor.
The facts must be told. How ignorant were some people who were persuaded by speakers who some times made unreliable statements. The people must judge for themselves.
The Prime Minister also referred to Australia’s position in regard to the Empire. Whether we were to remain in the Empire or not, it must be realised that Australia had been under the protection of the mother country.
What would happen if we broke away? Australia could not defend herself for twenty-four hours against an invader. Great Britain was the ally we must stick to.
We must have a white Australia by immigration, which would increase our strength.
The defence of Australia must be secured. If we separated from England we must have adequate and modern war munitions, which would cost us millions a year.
Chemical warfare research cost Great Britain millions a year. We must have the same defence as an invader. To ensure Australia’s financial position she must send out her surplus, and thus we must keep the trade routes open by standing by Britain.
We had four cruisers. We were now embarking on a scheme to secure for defence two modern cruisers, aeroplanes, two cruises submarines and floating dock.
Even when these were ready, in four years’ time, they would not be sufficient to defend Australia. We must keep the invader from the shores of this country.
The question of immigration was a burning question. We must have more population. Mr. Bruce also spoke of the League of Nations, which would be prepared to safeguard Australia
Wedding Bells – Barber-Unthank
A very fashionable wedding was celebrated on Wednesday, 29th April, at the Presbyterian Church, Mornington.
The contracting parties were Miss Annie Doris Unthank, of Tyabb, and Mr Claude Charles Barber, of Somerville.
The officiating clergyman was the Rev. W. A. Stevely. A large number of friends of the bride and bridegroom attended the church, and wedding-breakfast in quite a fleet of motor cars, and of course, the happy couple had to run the gaunt let of showers of confetti after the nuptial ceremony.
The whole party, numbering fully sixty persons, adjourned to Mrs. Hoskings’ cafe to a splendid wedding-breakfast.
The bride wore white, crepe de chene, chantilly lace trimmings, oval-shaped lace veil, kindly lent by Mrs.W. Nutt, of Moreland.
The bridesmaid was Miss Kitty Unthank, who wore a salmon-pink crepe de chene and black georgette hat.
The travelling dress of the bride was a navy blue costume and black velvet hat.
The bridegroom is the youngest son of the late Mr. C. Barber and Mrs. Barber, of the “Westernport” orchard, which is to be the home of the bride.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 8 May 1925