Compiled by Cameron McCullough
A SMOKE social was held on Tuesday evening last, in the Frankston Mechanics’ Institute, at which a large section of the residents of Frankston and representatives of the travelling public were present, not withstanding the wet state of the weather, to bid farewell to Constable and Mrs Graham, he having being transferred to Goornong after a residence here of two years.
Cr. Oates occupied the chair. After the usual loyal toast had been sung, Mr. Dodd gave a recitative song, which was well received, and for encore gave a humorous description of Frankston and its environs.
Mr. R. Tait also sang a comic song in good voice, for which an encore was demanded.
The chairman then stated the objects of the gathering, viz., to wish Constable and Mrs. Graham farewell.
It was a pleasing thing to take the chair to do honors to the departing guests. They both had made many friends while in Frankston.
The life of a constable is a pretty trying one and he was pleased to say that Constable Graham has come through all right.
He was sure that the people of Frankston and surrounding districts have fully appreciated the efforts of Constable Graham in the preservation of law and order.
Both Sergeant Cullane and Constable Graham were men of discretion and tact.
They gave a word of warning when needed, but when they found that way not sufficient they took other means.
They had met there that evening to wish Constable and. Mrs. Graham farewell, and he felt sure that his many friends in Frankston will look with pleasure on his promotion; and there is no doubt that when on his holidays he will look us up again.
Messrs. Oldring, Ward, Bloxham Patroni, Coghlan, Young, and Dodd supported the toast, and it was drank enthusiastically.
The chairman then presented Constable Graham with a wallet of notes, as a slight token of the well wishes of the residents of Frankston, and wished him the very best of health and luck.
He also presented a tobacco pouch (the gift of Mr. C. Wood) and a box of handkerchiefs to Mrs. Graham.
Constable Graham, on rising to respond, was greeted with great applause. He was pleased to be there that evening. He had enjoyed himself in Frankston and had made many friends. He thanked them sincerely for their many expressions of regard and tokens of goodwill to his wife and family.
A Voice: I hope the next constable is as good as Constable Graham.
The health of Sergeant Cullane was then proposed, and heartily honored.
The Sergeant thanked them for the compliment paid him. He said he had known Constable Graham for the past five years. He was sorry to lose him and wished both his wife and himself the best of health, and hoped that his successor was as good or near as good as Constable Graham.
More musical items were then rendered by Messrs. Dodd, Tait, and Morrison, when the company dispersed, after singing “Auld Lang Syne”, and “God Save the King.”
A Cow in A Grocer’s Shop
One often hears the saying of: “A bull in a china shop. However, quite a sensation was caused in Young St., Frankston, on Wednesday evening last, when a cow galloped into Mr. J. L. Pratt’s grocery shop.
It appears that shortly before closing time on Wednesday, when quite a number of customers were in the shop, a cow suddenly made its appearance.
Rushing right to the far end of the shop, finding its further progress barred, it turned round and was driven out without doing the slightest damage.
The mystery is, how this was managed seems a miracle, seeing that a consignment of several dozen bottles of phenyle, ammonia, and other things had just been delivered and were on the floor waiting to be put away.
After leaving Mr. Pratt’s store, the cow wandered into Dodd’s drapery emporium, but, fortunately, Mr. Dodd was just inside the door, and he valiantly seized it by the horns and tried to back it out.
However, it would not back until Mr. Dodd, becoming exasperated, delivered a straight right from the shoulder, and with a promise of more to follow, the cow thought it advisable to beat a retreat, and in doing so, put its horns through the wire door of the “Fox” cafe, this being the only damage done.
THE many friends of Mr. Charles Lawrey, of Cranbourne Road, Frankston, will be sorry to hear that he has been the victim of an unfortunate accident.
It appears that Mr. Lawrey was dressing a chisel when a piece of steel flew off and struck him in the eye.
Mrs. Lawvrey, saw at once that the eye was seriously injured; and sought the advice of Dr. Johnson, who after treating it ordered Mr. Lawrey to the Eye and Ear Hospital, where, we understand, it has been decided that the eye will have to be removed.
The sympathy of this office, as, indeed, we feel, that of all who know him, will go out to Mr. Lawrey in his misfortune.
A NARROW escape from serious injury happened this morning, when an accident happened on the Hastings Road.
It appears that a Ford deluxe car was travelling along the Hastings Road, en route from Williamstown to Flinders, and when on the other side of the Mount the driver had to go off the tarred road to allow of a loaded lorry to pass.
As he did so the two near wheels took the side of the road, which, being greasy, caused the car to skid, and go over on its side.
As a result the near hind wheel was broken, the windscreen shattered, and the hood badly bent.
Fortunately, the inmates of the car escaped serious injury, coming off with only a few scratches, which were attended to at the local hospital.
The driver of the car escaped injury altogether. The car was afterwards towed to Mr. Stell’s garage for repairs.
Accident to School. Edna Lovitt Breaks Her Arm
The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Lovitt of Dandenong Road, Frankston, will be sorry to learn that their daughter Edna met with a nasty accident on Tuesday evening, which resulted in her arm being broken in two places.
It appears that some planks have been placed in Mereweather Avenue to provide a crossing, to obviate walking in the water surrounding it.
On Tuesday evening Edna was riding home on her bicycle, and, when negotiating the crossing, the accident occurred.
She was at once taken by her uncle (Mr. W. D. Evans) in his car to Dr. Johnson, who set the little sufferer’s arm, and made her as Comfortable as possible under the circumstances.
We wish her a speedy recovery.
THE committee of the Frankston Brass Band, which met on Monday night, have decided to make a personal canvas of residents, seeking monthly subscriptions from residents towards the upkeep of the band.
Certain streets have been allotted to different members, and when the reports are in from them, the committee will then be in a position to know definitely what can be done.
This step is being taken to allow of all those who are desirous of helping the movement, be their help ever so small, the opportunity of rendering that assistance which is essential to the success of the establishment and conduct of a good band.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 14 & 16 May 1924