Compiled by Cameron McCullough
A movement to secure the establishment of a new railway with a terminus at Westernport Bay was initiated at a meeting which was held in the Municipal Chambers, Queen street, recently.
The meeting was convened as a result of a resolution of the Moorabbin Shire Council.
Councillors and landholders representing Moorabbin, Oakleigh, Dandenong, Cranbourne, and Frankston Shires, the Borough of Carrum, and the town of Mentone-Mordialloc attended.
A sub-committee of 21 councillors and landholders was elected with a view to urging the establishment of a line half-way between the Mordialloc-Frankston and the Dandenong Cranbourne lines.
The proposal under consideration is that the line suggested should branch off at or near Ormond, and pass through Bentleigh, Heatherton, Dingley, Keysborough, Bangholme, Carrum Downs, Lyndhurst South, and Pearcedale to Westernport Bay.
The two lines already established are on an average 12 miles apart, according to statements which were made at the meeting.
Cr. C. P. Gartside (Dandenong Shire) of Dingley, was appointed secretary of the movement.
It was explained that the proposed line would pass the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum and the Heatherton Sanatorium, as well as seven established state schools.
It would pass through good dairying and market-gardening, country.
Beyond Carrum, in the opinion of those at the meeting, the land was suitable for residential and subdivisional purposes.
We are given to understand that the land required in the suggested route for the new railway proposed will be transferred free of cost to the Railway Department.
Frankston – Fifty Years Ago
The following has been forwarded by a reader of “The Standard” at Mentone, which will be read with interest by residents at the district.
The matter is taken from a book (not stated by our correspondent) dated 1876:
Frankston, a post town in the County of Mornington, situated on the S.E. shores of Port Phillip Bay, 27 miles S. of Melbourne, to which a coach runs daily.
In summer there is an additional coach on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, with regular coaches to Mornington, Somerville, Hastings and Phillip Island.
It has a very long and fine jetty, and is the centre of a large fishing and firewood trade.
Frankston contains two hotels, three stores, one Wesleyan chapel, a Church of England and a State school.
It is noticeable that in the whole of Frankston (parish) there is only one magistrate, no police gaol, lawyer, doctor, or resident minister of any religion.
The population in the town is 50, but the chief part are scattered in the suburbs.
The land, being sandy, is ill-adapted for cultivation on a large scale; but the low, swampy land in the vicinity would well repay the gardener or fruit grower.
Seals In Port Phillip Bay
Great excitement and interest has been aroused in Port Phillip Bay by the fact that, during the extremely foggy days experienced lately a few young seals returning from their excursions have mistaken the entrance at the Heads for that of Westernport Bay, and having completely lost their bearings had landed on some rocks off Sandringham, where their presence and behaviour had attracted much attention.
Crib Point – Motor Cycle Fatality
A fatal accident took place on the Stony Point road, half a mile from the Crib Point township; a motor bike with side car attached, driven by Chief Petty Officer Johnston, of the Naval Depot, collided with a motor car driven by Chief Petty Officer Gibbons also of the Naval Depot, the result being that Mr. Johnston sustained a double fracture of the leg and thigh, necessitating amputation at the Naval Depot, where he had been quickly removed.
He died immediately after the operation. The deceased leaves a widow and young family, who resides at Caulfield.
The actual cause of the accident is not known. An inquest was held on Monday morning.
The accident took place about 7 p.m. on Saturday evening.
Personal
Mr. F. Taylor, the well-known Bay street dairyman, left to-day for a six months’ trip to England. One of Mr. Taylor’s main reasons for the visit is to see his mother, whom he has not seen for many years. He is also interviewing England’s poultry experts.
We wish him an enjoyable and safe trip.
Mr. Alf. Davey, manager of Taylor & Ritchie’s well-known garage, accompanied by Mr. R. Ritchie, of Mornington, left on Tuesday last for a motor tour in New South Wales.
They expect to be away about a month. Mr. Fred Taylor, of Mornington, who has lately returned from a trip abroad, is temporarily in charge.
Back From China
Mr. Fred Taylor, a popular member of the firm of Taylor & Ritchie, with his wife and Mr. Thos. Ritchie, of Mornington, has just returned from a three months tour of the Phillipine Islands.
The party sailed by the S. S. “Taiyuian” from Melbourne to Hong Kong, and on arrival joined the vessel which was taken by the pirates twelve months ago.
A very fine collection of photographs was obtained by the party. Mr. Taylor was naturally very interested in the motor car industry whilst away, and says that the Ford is very popular wherever he went.
In the Phillipine Islands most of the cars bear the name of Henry Ford.
Mr. Taylor informs us that the Ford Company is still in its infancy, so with the rapid growth that it is now making we will perhaps see in the near future the Ford car within the reach of all.
Too Young For License
Willis Kane, for whom his father, the well known garage proprietor of Aspendale, appeared, was charged at the Chelsea Court with driving a car without a license.
Willis Kane is not yet eighteen years of age, and consequently not eligible to take out a license.
Constable W. H. Quinn: On June 4, at 4.30 p.m., I saw Willis Kane driving a double-seater Ford in Point Nepean road proceeding towards Aspendale. I had previously warned him that he must not drive cars. He admitted to me that he was not eighteen.
T. Kane explained that he had been trailing the car attached to a van. When turning, the Ford had been released, and that was why Willis, was seen driving it.
Mr. Cohen, P.M.: He had no right to be driving the car. The Act says that no person under the age of eighteen shall drive. And he had been warned. A fine of 40/- will be imposed.
Zeitgeist
Several orders for ejectment have been made recently in bayside courts, and several more are to follow. This is undoubtedly a sign of the times, and the distress which is upon the poorer section of the community, whose lot is made even worse by enforced removal and the stigma attached to an ejectment order.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 19 Jun 1925