Compiled by Cameron McCullough
THE neat little home of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Williams, of Langwarrin, was completely destroyed by fire last Monday.
Many valuable tools were destroyed and Mrs. Williams’ artistic treasures and much valuable needlework, the work of a life-time, were consumed in the flames.
We hear the house alone was insured. Much regret was expressed for Mr. and Mrs. Williams, who are very thrifty and industrious.
Being without a home, Mr. L. Griffiths generously allowed them the use of his orchard cottage.
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“Ranelagh” Club Dance
A charming and most friendly dance was held at the “Ranelagh” clubhouse, Frankston, on Saturday night, when the clear, bright, moonlight added very much to its success, though a very large number of the guests elected to spend the weekend at the club instead of facing the drive back to town.
The house was most artistically decorated throughout, and blazing fire struck a cheery note.
The large double room where the dancing was held was decorated with groups of arum lilies arranged in tall vases and bowls, with dark brown bracken leaves, brown grasses and reeds artistically grouped in bowls, making a marked and effective contrast.
The first dance took the form of a chain, a novelty which effectually broke down any vestige of formality and established a friendly atmosphere, for everyone joined laughingly.
A cosy sitting-room was arranged for bridge players.
There was an unusually large number of young folk present, and all seemed to have a thoroughly enjoyable time.
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Frankston Eliminated
A brilliant third quarter by the Navy and Frankston’s poor kicking were features of the second semi-final played at Mornington last Saturday.
The first half of the game was in favour of the Red and Blacks and better kicking in the first quarter may have put a different aspect on the result.
Out of eleven shots in the opening term, Frankston got only one goal, while the Depot with three shots less, had a lead of 12 points.
There was over 1000 people present at the match, the gate takings being £54, which constitutes a record on the Peninsula for a semi-final
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Personal
Residents of Frankston and district will regret to learn of the death of Mr. Mark Brody, who left this town to reside in Launceston, Tasmania, about 12 months ago.
Deceased, who was about 87 years of age, was remarkably active and he was conducting a land agency in Launceston at the time of his death.
Friends of Mr. and Mrs. Daley, of Bay street, will be sorry to hear that their son met with a cycling accident this week and sustained a broken arm.
Cr. G. May was the victim of an accident this week. He sustained a painful injury to the knee which prevented his attendance at today’s council meeting.
Mr. Jack Sorrell, late headmaster of Baxter State school, has been transferred to the staff of the Frankston school.
Mrs. Robert Renton, who recently arrived from the Malay States, is the guest of Mrs. Russell Grimwade at her country home, “Westerfield”, Frankston.
The Lady.Mayoress-elect of Melbourne, Mrs. S. Morell, is well known on the Peninsula. She was a Miss Kirkpatrick from a Mornington hotel of the same name.
Mr. J. Moseley, of Mt. Eliza, has been confined to his bed for the past week, and is now recuperating from an attack of bronchitis.
Mr. G. Tyler; of Mt. Eliza, is at present very ill, suffering from an attack of influenza. Mr Tyler is the president of the Mt. Eliza Progress Association.
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Remarkable Walking Record
Mr. Edward Storey, head cashier with a Newcastle, England, firm of solicitors, holds the proud record of having walked to and from his work for 52 years, during which he had covered over 120,000 miles.
When he began work there were neither buses nor trams, so he walked the four miles to the office and the four miles back.
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Foreshore Committee Criticised – Mr McCombe Raises Protest
To the Editor.
Sir, May I, through the medium of your paper, invite the attention of citizens (ratepayers and residents) to the despoliation to the south of Wells street, between the creek and the sea.
The first efforts of the newly-appointed committee of management seems to tend towards the despoilation rather than to the beautification of this reserve, seeing that the spot chosen and the work now in progress for the laying down of a running track for which there is no public demand, necessitates the removal of trees it has taken half a century to raise and the destruction of rural and scenic beauty which nowhere else obtains along the whole foreshore from Rosebud to Mordialloc, and which untouched cannot be other than a source of quiet delight to a liberty-loving public.
Why there should be such undue taste in this matter does not appear. If a running track is imperatively needful on this reserve, why was it not laid down on the border of the creek south of Davey street, where there is a wide strip of level land which could have been utilised, obviating any levelling of sand dunes, wasteful expense and removing of trees standing for the protection of the town.
Personally, sir, I protest against such methods of procedure without ideal general plan or vision of the future.
The land belongs to the public, and before anything of a permanent character is undertaken a general beautification scheme should be devised, a plan thereof submitted to the public, and if adopted, worked-to accordingly as revenue serves.
I understand the day men of the council are doing the work complained of, but surely their time could more profitably be employed on the roads or the removal from the creek of the silt and obstructions which are a menace to health, and far from being an attraction to visitors.
I do not know whether it is in contemplation to have a bathing pool in the midst of this reserve, but certain it is that the excavation made by persons allowed to cart sand from the same would justify one in that presumption.
However, this land belongs to the people, and if the present management cannot make it more attractive, the people should see that they do not transform it into a permanent eyesore.
The removal of sand should be immediately stopped, and the unwise and ill-considered attempts at beautification be deferred until proper plans have been submitted to and endorsed by the public.
In a matter so important to the future attractiveness of our town, why should the vagaries of two or three individuals prevail against the reasoned commonsense of the general public and thus create a condition of things which can only be altered by additional expenditure and involving the waste of time and money, as well as precluding the operations of a plan already in prospect.
Citizens, wake up! Have a say in things which affect the future of your town, your businesses, your employment. Prevention is better than cure.
Yours, etc.,
JOSEPH R. McCOMB.
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From the Pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 3 September 1926