THE Country Roads Board’s 13 ton steam roller crashed through Quinn’s Bridge (over the Balcombe Creek) last week, but the driver, Mr J. Burton, miraculously escaped injury, beyond scratches and a mud-bath.
He was on his way, along the Tyabb Road, from Moorooduc to Mornington, and had got right on to the centre of the bridge – a wooden structure – when it collapsed.
Driver Barton’s presence of mind in promptly shutting off the steam probably saved his life.
Mr A. E. Callaway, of the Roads Board, inspected the bridge, and says that the mechanical parts of the engine will not be seriously affected.
***
THE Licensing Court has approved of the transfer of the license of Kirkpatrick’s Hotel. Mornington, from Mr William E. White to Mr Claude Davey.
***
AT Saturday’s meeting of the Cranbourne Shire Council a letter was received from the Minister of Public Works in regard to the proposed severance in connection with the Frankston and Hastings shire, asking if the Cranbourne Shire Council could, in the interests of ratepayers, sever any portion of the territory from within its borders.
It was decided to reply that, in the opinion of the Cranbourne council, ratepayers within the Cranbourne Shire are quite satisfied with the existing boundaries.
***
“ACACIA”, Langwarrin, writes:
“I am sure that a feeling of relief was felt throughout the shire when it became known that the Shire Council had got going again after such a long hold-up, and it is to be hoped now that something will he doing with such an energetic President as Cr. Mason.
To commemorate his term, I would suggest that he take up the policy of tree-planting on the roadsides.
Such fine roads as those made by the Country Roads Board are well worthy of having avenues of trees planted on the sides.
No better attraction to any district could be had than tree-lined roads, so I trust this idea will receive the consideration it deserves”.
***
A VERY pleasing function took place at the close of the Home Missions meeting, addressed by Sister Bessie, in the Somerville Methodist Church last week, when the Rev. C. Angwin, on behalf of the members of the congregation, made a presentation of a handsomely-bound Bible to the organist, Miss Vines, in appreciation of her valuable services as organist and organiser of church concerts.
Mr Vines thanked the congregation for the gift on his daughter’s behalf.
***
NO Melbourne Cup speculation, perhaps, equalled in rashness the wager of a local man, who the other day risked his suit and even his sox on a matter which involved a question of memory.
The betting gentleman contended that he had not signed a certain document about three months ago.
The other party thought otherwise, and he accepted the wager, which carried no risk to himself, but looked like fig leaves or something equally light and airy for his friend.
Proof was forthcoming last Saturday night, when the disputed document tamed up, duly signed and sealed!
And now the unfortunate loser is asking for time to pay – until the weather gets warmer!
***
A CORRESPONDENT at Stony Point observes:
“Pat Gleeson, who outpointed the iron-jawed Sam Saunders, at Melbourne on Monday night, is a petty-officer on the “Australia”, and is well-known here.
As a pugilist, Pat has some creditable performances to his credit, though he failed in the attempt to wrest the light-weight championship, from Chris Jordan some months ago.
On the “Australia” there are several who are able to “mix it” very creditably, and they are saying that Pat Gleeson, when at the Base, is always willing to give local boys who think themselves fairly moderate with the mits a try-out for the sake of fostering the fistic art.”
***
MR A. S., Box, the youthful Oakleigh cyclist, who annexed the mile and half-mile cycle events at the last New Year’s Day sports at Frankston, carried off the 10 mile senior cadet championship at Footscray.
He is now recognised as the State’s coming champion, and will most likely be competing at the next Frankston athletic sports.
Though only 17 years of age, he turns the scale at 10st 7lbs.
In the recent Bendigo to Melbourne race he finished tenth, but capsized in the Melbourne-Geelong event.
***
IN last issue we referred to a local speculator who had bought and resold 130 blocks and was on the lookout for a score more.
On that point, a correspondent writes suggesting that Cr W. P. Mason, of Brody and Mason, is one of the smartest salesmen he knows.
He says: “Last week, after reading about the spec’s doings in “The Standard,” Mr Mason presumed it to be a certain person, whom he immediately interviewed.
Mr Mason brought forth some convincing facts, the land was inspected, and 1000 feet frontage offered to the spec.
In 30 minutes, Mr Mason had sold every allotment offered.
***
A LARGE audience greeted the Pictures and Vaudeville Enterprise last Saturday night.
The principal picture was a version of Julian Josephson’s story, “Hayfoot Strawfoot”, featuring Charles Ray and Bessie Martin Messrs Oliver and Lynch scored bits with comedy and drolleries, and were very pleasing. Miss Parsons also appeared, and contributed a song, which was well received, though the song itself was a little too “grey headed”.
Next Saturday night Mrs Irene Vernon Castle will be featured in Robert W. Chambers’ great work, “The Firing Line.” It is a picture you ought to see.
***
THE recent visit of Bill Sykes to peaceful Carrum has induced the local people to initiate a movement, to have a police constable stationed at Carrum overnight.
Bill’s last visit to Carrum cost more than £100 in losses, and he specialised in smokes and ladies’ camisoles and nighties!
The municipal authorities, with the latest occurrence to justify the request, should have no difficulty in persuading the Chief Secretary and Sir John Gellibrand to comply with the reasonable request of the Carrum ratepayers.
***
TALKING about burglaries, one’s mind recalls a little incident that occurred recently at Chelsea.
Mr T. Naylor, whose shop is situated on the Frankston Road, Chelsea, happened to be on the premises when Bullseye came along, and started to force his presence inside.
Hearing the noise, Mr Naylor fired a shot at the fanlight and the intruding one “went for his life”.
That’s what Mr Naylor says, and we quite believe it.
***
FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 12 November 1920
First published in the Frankston Times – 17 November 2020