Compiled by Cameron McCullough
A motoring party, in charge of a young man, Claude White, joiner, Inkerman street, St. Kilda, spent Monday’s holiday on a trip to Mornington. Liquid refreshment was partaken of before the party left Frankston, and all the hotels on the road were visited. Things went well; however, till Mt. Eliza was reached on the return journey. Here the joy riders evidently reached a stage of dangerous hilarity, for, other motorists, becoming alarmed at their erratic conduct, requested the Mt. Eliza storekeeper to communicate with the Frankston police.
This was done, and when the party pulled up outside Frankston House at 6.30 p.m., White was arrested and locked up, charged by Senior-Constable Elliott with having been in charge of a car, while under the influence of liquor.
Senior-Constable Elliott, in his evidence said that following complaints received from motorists at Mt. Eliza, he waited for the party and arrested White about 6.30.
On the way to the lock-up the defendant staggered considerably. He admitted that he had six drinks during the day, although he resented being charged with drunkenness. White slept for about four or five hours in the watch-house, when his brother, Stanley White, came to bail him out.
His brother saw the condition he was in, and said: “Oh, let him stop there.” He was then not sufficiently sober to sign the formal papers.
Constable Addison: I saw the defendant when he was bailed out. In my opinion he was then drunk.
White, from the witness-box, said that he was sober at the time of his arrest. Under cross-examination by Senior-Constable Elliott, he admitted that the party had had drinks at McCarthy’s, and the Pier Hotel in Frankston, at Tanti hotel outside Mornington and at hotels in Mornington.
Stanley White, giving evidence on behalf of his brother, said he did not think the defendant had sufficient drink on the journey to make him drunk.
Messrs. Grant and Brown, J.’sP., who occupied the bench, said that there was no doubt that the defendant was under the influence, and had acted in a reckless manner. White was fined £10, in default 14 days’ imprisonment. His licence was also cancelled. Police costs amounting to 5/- were allowed.
A Painful Accident
Mr. J. Crighton, late of Hosham, who has taken the management of the Frankston gas works, met with a painful accident on Wednesday afternoon last.
Whilst attending to part of the machinery, the handle of the fly-wheel struck Mr. Crighton on the side of the head stunning him, and also lacerating the lobe of his ear.
Dr. Johnston was called in and found it necessary to insert several stitches in the wound. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Frankston Students Win Honours
At the Practical Examinations of the University of Melbourne, held in May last, Misses Bennie Grant (grade 4), and Wilmont Croskell (grade 3), are to be congratulated upon adding to the long list of honours won by pupils of Miss Dorathea Macmaster.
During the last eighteen months, Miss Croskell has taken honours in three practical grades. In her first Theoretical examination (preparatory of Trinity College) which took place last December, Miss Bonnie Grant gained 96 per cent, while the youthful students from Miss Macmaster’s Melbourne studio tied with 98 per cent.
At the same examination Miss Dorothy Watkins gained 97 per cent in the junior division.
Disputed Rent Claim
Before Messrs. C. W. Grant and J. M. Brown, J.’sP., a disputed claim for arrears of rent was heard at the Frankston Court on Tuesday.
Frederick Quinton claimed from Claude Freeman, Royal street, Frankston, the sum of £16/10/- being the amount of rent due on a farm from March 9 to May 26, 1925, at 30/- per week.
Freeman claimed that the amount due by him was only £12. The defendant was ordered to pay the amount claimed, £16/10/- with £1/1/- professional costs.
Kananook Creek – Should It Be Converted Into a Drain?
Next Monday, at the Palais, at 8p.m., the Frankston Progress Association will hold its monthly meeting.
A special feature will be the debate between Cr. J. L. Pratt and Mr. J. Sorrell on the Kananook Creek improvement question. A large attendance of members is requested, as there are a number of other important matters to be discussed.
Private Streets Contract – Not Satisfied With Work
At the last meeting of the Frankston and Hastings Shire Council, the consulting engineer, Mr. Muntz, presented the final accounts in connection with the construction of private streets in Frankston, including Shannon street, Station street, and two right-of-ways. The engineer recommended that final payment be made to the contractor (Mr. Bladen).
Cr. Wells strenuously opposed final payment being made. He expressed dissatisfaction with the work, and said that it was incomplete.
Cr. Wells was asked if he would back his opinion against that of the engineer.
Cr. Wells said it was open for any councillor to view the work and form their own opinion.
The engineer stated that the contractor had still to do certain work in connection with the contract, and £10 would be held back to cover that.
Cr. Wells said that £10 was not enough to hold back.
Cr. Pratt supported Cr. Wells, but the motion supporting the final payment to the contractor was carried.
Cr. Wells called for a division, the voting being: For the motion: Crs. Oates, Miles, McCulloch, Brown, Alden, Hoban, H. E. Unthank, Hutchinson, J. Unthank, White and May (president). Against: Crs. Wells, Pratt and Gray. Cr. Bradbury was absent from the table when the division was taken.
A young sailor recruit died at the Naval Depot last Sunday, and was buried on Tuesday last.
He had only been a few weeks in the Navy, when he contracted pneumonia and died suddenly.
Somerville
The local football team played the past players a friendly game on Saturday last, and it was go from the start on the part of the old ‘eads, who were represented by such men as Paddy Gomm, Harry Firth, Billie Hutchinson, Percy Thornell, Jim Murray, Ken Webb, George Webb, Bill Tyree, and a host of others. Dr. Bickart and Cr. Joe Unthank were unable to strip, but gave their representatives some good advice from the boundary.
Some good runs through in fancy shorts were done by Paddy Gomm, who was the star of his side.
At half-time the old ‘eads pulled out because the umpire was giving them too good a spin.
Owing to the scorer dropping all the numbers the game was declared a draw against the Somerville present team on a protest.
The game of the season is expected at Somerville tomorrow. It is doubtful whether Somerville will have the services of their captain, Norm Unthank, who has met with a mishap.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 12 Jun 1925