Compiled by Cameron McCullough
NOMINATIONS for the annual shire elections closed yesterday. There are contests in the Frankston and Seaford ridings, but in the other three divisions no poll will be necessary.
Election day is fixed for Thursday, 27th August, and the hours of polling will be from 8am to 7pm.
The polling booth at Frankston will be at the Shire Hall, while the poll at Seaford will be taken at the Seaford Church Hall.
Keen interest will be taken in both contests. Mr. E. W. Thomason, who is opposing the retiring councillor in the Frankston riding, is sure to receive very solid support, and although Cr. Oates may still rely on securing a certain sentimental vote, the record of the past few years, and the disaster attending the administration of Council affairs during that period will be a strong factor in influencing ratepayers to vote for new blood.
In the Seaford riding Cr. McCulloch, the retiring councillor, will find a strong opponent in Mr. W. Armstrong, J.P., who as an ex-President of the shire is well and favorably known to ratepayers.
At the same time Cr. McCulloch will be a very hard man to defeat. If his colors are lowered, it will be due to his advocacy of the purchase of a sand pit as a recreation reserve for Seaford. Feeling over the question is said to run very high in the riding, and, many ratepayers are strongly opposed to £600 being expended on what they regard as an experimental proposition.
Mr. Armstrong represents a large section who contend that the interests of the ratepayers would be best served by securing a recreation site independent of the sand pits, the utility of which is too problematical to justify such a large expenditure.
Mt. Eliza riding will in future be represented by Mr. Philip Montague.
He takes the place of Cr. Gray, who did not seek re-election. Mr. Montague has qualifications which should eminently adapt him for the position.
As was anticipated, Cr. D. E. Hoban was accorded the honour of a walk-over for the East riding. This is the third time Cr. Hoban has been returned unopposed, a fact that would indicate that he enjoys the full confidence of his constituents.
In the Centre riding Cr. White did not seek re-election, and the vacancy has been filled by Mr. H. G. Overton, no other nomination being received.
Mr. Overton is highly respected throughout the district, and should prove a very successful councillor.
Mt. Eliza Progress Association – Access To Beach And Lights On Mornington Road
The committee of the above association met at Mt. Eliza Hall on Monday, August 10, to discuss with the riding councillors the possibility of opening the Yamala Road to the public.
Cr. Bradbury was the only one of the three councillors to attend. It was decided that the chairman, Mr. J. Bradbury, senr., be asked to interview Mr. Lucas, the owner of Yamala Estate, with the view of arriving at an amicable agreement regarding access to the beach through this property.
Mr. L. J. Heard was appointed as delegate to meet the Railway Commissioner on Thursday, August 13.
He was instructed to lay stress on the point that day return fares to the city were not available – a fact deplored by the whole district, also the desirability of being able to obtain through fares to towns on other lines.
It was moved that the secretary (Mr. Mosely) write to the Council, asking for the installation of four electric lights to be erected at certain places on the old Mornington Road.
This was felt to be a great want, as there are several awkward patches above the road.
The committee passed a vote of thanks to Cr. Bradbury for the valuable information and for the energetic way in which he worked for the interests of the Mt. Eliza riding.
After the general meeting of the association on August 26, Mr. P. Montague, the candidate for Mt. Eliza riding, will address the members concerning his aims and views with reference to the forthcoming election.
The social side of the association’s efforts was not forgotten, and arrangements are being made for several functions in the near future.
PERSONAL
Mrs. W. Crawford Young returned to Frankston last Tuesday, after a visit to her people in Tasmania.
The many friends of Mr. Harry Prosser, of Cranbourne Road, will regret to learn that he has been laid aside with a severe attack of influenza.
Mrs. Wilson, of “Ashburnham,” Frankston, is at present suffering from an attack of influenza, and her many friends will wish her a speedy recovery.
Visitors to “The Fernery” on Sunday last included Princess Rangiriri (now appearing at the Majestic Theatre, Melbourne) and Miss Louie Lovely.
Mrs. Rowe, of the Prince of Wales Hotel, has been an inmate of Dr. Maxwell’s private hospital for the past fortnight, but is now home again restored to health. Her many friends will be glad to hear of her recovery.
Mr. James Clyde, having sold his orchard property at Lower Somerville, he, with Mrs. Clyde and their three small daughters, leave for New South Wales this week.
They take with them the good wishes of many friends in the district.
Mr. and Mrs. Clyde each in turn held the position of secretary to the Somerville branch of the T.L.C. in its flourishing days.
Letter to the Editor
Sir,
Hitherto the local Council has wisely prevented the erection on the public roads of hideous trade advertisements.
This week, however, a monstrosity in the shape of a so-called “road light house” has been erected on the Point Nepean Road, practically in front of my residence, and in one of the most beautiful spots along the road.
The ostensible object of the light house is to benefit road users by indicating an alleged “dangerous curve” in the road, but of course the real object is to advertise the goods of a motor oil company, which is effected by means of a huge square pillar about 9 feet high, the color scheme of which is a nightmare and an outrage.
Perhaps the term “nightmare” is hardly appropriate, because the garish colors are visible only in daylight, whereas the sympathetic night mercifully hides them.
It is hardly an exaggeration to say that these colorful advertisements can be seen at a distance of about 100 yards, and heard almost at an equal distance.
It seems hardly fair that the value of properties in the vicinity should be depreciated in order to advertise motor oils and perhaps benefit motorists and other road users, the majority of whom reside miles from Frankston.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the indication of actual dangerous spots on the road is justified, but could and should be done in a reasonable way, and not in such a manner as to be a public nuisance and an outrage to the aesthetic sense.
Yours, etc.,
L. R. N. UTBER. Frankston, 10/8/25.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 14 August 1925