Compiled by Cameron McCullough
SIR,
In a recent issue of your paper appeared a paragraph stating that “Mr. Williams of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission had attended the Frankston Progress Association meeting with regard to the discoloration of the water, and a remedy was promised.”
Lucky Frankston to have water to growl at – we’ve got none at all – and luckier still are the ratepayers of Frankston who have got real live representatives to stand up for them.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox once wrote: “To sit in silence when we should protest makes cowards out of men.”
But apparently there are others who believe in the dictum of “Better a live coward than a dead hero”; for although Hastings has been mentioned every year since the water scheme was first put through and the estimates framed, there has been no voice of protest raised on our behalf.
What is the cause? At school we were taught that “An atom was a particle that could be no further divided,” and it seems to me that the amount of interest taken by our representatives in the development and well-being of Hastings is small indeed when compared against the atom.
We can hear them talking that the “electric light will soon be on now,” but what good will that do? I grant you it is a great boon, but in the dry spells even its greatness is very much dwarfed against the boon a water supply would mean to the residents.
Just imagine a man coming in, say, from ploughing or wood-cutting, or from practically any of the out-door occupations pursued by the great majority of men, and having a look at the accumulation of dirt, dust and grime that he has collected during the day, then turning on the electric light to get a better view of it, and dressing himself again because of the lack of water to have a decent wash.
Pleasant prospect, isn’t it?
Although the installation of the water would be a very great asset to the township and a definite step in the right direction, it would also bring along in its train another great improvement that is also very badly needed, and that is an efficient drainage system.
If our representatives were to look after our interests properly other places would not be getting all the plums in the financial pudding.
The reason why Hastings is as Hastings is, is because other councillors are wide awake enough to get their share of the funds for improvements, and a good whack of anyone else’s share that may be floating around.
But what a howl there would be if the residents of Hastings took up the attitude of “no improvements, no rates”? What a rush the Council would make for the Deportation Board.
Imagine the noise other councillors would make when the places they represent had to find the money for their own improvements, simply because the bottom had fallen out of the “Bank of Hastings,” because no rates were paid in.
The sooner action of some sort is taken the better, because then and not till then will the representatives sit up and take notice and call to mind that the ratepayers of Hastings are entitled to a little bit for their money.
And, in conclusion, I would recommend our representatives to purchase a copy of that excellent poem, “The Psalm of Life”; study it very carefully, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest its import and act on just one line only, “Let us now be up and doing,” and prove that they are real representatives, and make a start by giving us an efficient drainage system and a water supply.
Frank Wavish, Hastings.
[Our correspondent seems to be under the impression that the Shire Council is responsible for the delay that has occurred in providing Hastings with a water supply. Such is not the case. The State Rivers and Water Supply Commission is the responsible body and provides the whole of the money for the undertaking. It has a scheme in hand for the extension of the water supply system throughout the Peninsula, embracing Hastings. A public meeting at Hastings might have the effect of hastening on the work. – Ed. “Standard”].
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Balnarring And Bittern Races
The date of the Balnarring and Bittern races at the popular Emu Plains racecourse, has been definitely fixed for Saturday, January 30, 1926.
This date will suit the sailors at the Naval Depot, and a large attendance from there is assured.
Mr. Wm. Cahill has been appointed handicapper for the four open races, and Messrs. Dave Buckley and J. Turner for the three district events. Mr. Joe Wren will supervise the bookmakers; this will completely cut out the “welshing” fraternity.
Mr. A. J. Grey will measure the ponies.
An effort is being made to hold an unregistered meeting at Flinders on New Year’s Day, but as the time is short it may be held later on in the year.
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Personal – Miss Millie McCormack
The many friends of Miss Millie McCormack, late of Frankston, will be glad to learn of her further successes.
Miss McCormack is the adopted daughter of the late Police Sergeant McCormack, who was for some years stationed at Frankston.
It will be remembered that Miss Millie began her singing career at the early age of 12 years; when, as a competitor at the Ballarat competitions, she won eight prizes out of nine entries, under 16 years of age.
She gained the Albert Street Conservatorium singing scholarship in 1923, where she has studied music in all its tranches during the past three years, gaining her 1st, 2nd and 3rd year diploma with honors each year.
At the close of this year she was engaged by the Geelong Musical Society to sing the soprano solos in the great oratorio “The Messiah.”
Her teachers are unanimous that Miss McCormack will have a brilliant future in the singing world.
As she has recently accepted an offer from the 3LO broadcasting company, her friends will have a chance of hearing her from time to time.
Referring to her part in “The Messiah,” the Geelong “Advertiser” writes: “It is gratifying to be able to record that the performance was a complete success, and that one of the principals in particular gave a rendition of the difficult music which delighted the large audience and gave splendid promise for her future.
We refer to the young soprano, Miss Millie McCormack, and it is paying no discourtesy to the other performers when we single out her work for special mention.
This talented young lady – she is only 20, and probably the youngest soloist who has sung with the society – has been studying under Miss Mary Campbell at the East Melbourne Conservatorium, and it will be remembered that this was made possible by the funds raised from two concerts in Geelong.
It is the more gratifying to be able to record that Miss McCormack last night, showed that we are already having some of the early fruits of her earlier promise.
Her first chance came in “Rejoice Greatly,” which contains both florid work and quiet passages, all of which were admirably and adequately filled by her pure girlish voice.”
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MR. W. Lewis, son of Mr. T. Lewis, of Frankston, met with a painful accident last week. He was cycling through Mentone when he collided with a motor car. His hand was badly crushed, necessitating treatment at the Melbourne Hospital.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 18 December 1925