A very serious accident happened to a young man named Robert Potts, on Saturday morning at the level crossing at the Somerville railway station. It seems that he was driving a cart from the town ship towards home, and when about to cross over the line his attention was diverted by some horses playing up in the railway yard, and he did not perceive the midday train which was then approaching and before he could get clear the engine dashed into the cart, which was smashed to fragments.
He sustained a compound fracture of the skull, the head being terribly smashed. Without loss of time Mr G. Keast motored the injured man to Frankston and he was admitted to St Pancras Hospital. On Sunday Drs Maxwell and Dunhill performed an operation and the patient is now progressing as well as can be expected considering the grave nature of his injuries. The horse was uninjured.
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THE Federated Boot Factory Employees intend holding a picnic in the Frankston Park today.
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MR and Mrs C. P. Watson, after a trip to Tasmania and Sydney, returned to Frankston on Monday last.
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ATTENTION is directed to our advertising columns in which 53½ acres of good land (Parish of Moorooduc) will be offered for sale by Messrs Alex Scott and Co, in conjunction with Mr J. G. Barrett at the Tanti sale yards, on Monday 6th March.
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THE monthly meeting of the Frankston and Hastings Council takes place on Thursday next at Somerville. Tenders are called in another column for a number of works, which will be considered on day of meeting.
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MESSRS Alex Scott and Co will hold a military horse inspection at the Corporation yards, Tanti, on Friday, 3rd March. Anyone having an animal of the stamp required, and willing to sell, should not fail this opportunity of getting a good price.
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APPLICATIONS are invited by the committee of the Somerville Mechanics’ Hall, returnable on the 29th inst from persons willing to undertake the combined duties of caretaker, librarian, and secretary at a salary of £30 per annum. Applications are to be sent to Mr G. Keast, Somerville.
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SHOPKEEPERS are reminded that on or before the 14th March they are required by the Factories Act to register their shops (under a penalty of £10 for default) by delivering to the Chief Inspector of Factories, Melbourne a properly filled in form with the prescribed fee. Forms may be obtained from any factory inspector or any police station.
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“THE Somerville branch of the Patriotic League is doing good work for the soldiers. At the last meeting of the branch it was passed that £5 be donated to the Y.M.C.A. and also £3 3s to the French society “Societe D’Assistance Maternelle et Infantile” a really deserving association through which 34000 out of 37,085 infants, born in Paris during August 1914 and August 1915, have passed through its hands. The ladies meet on Wednesday afternoon to sew and knit for our own troops, besides the sewing etc they take home to be done during the week.
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THE Mornington Amateur Dramatic Club gave three one act commediettes at Somerville, on Saturday evening, 19th inst, which was given in aid of the local Red Cross funds. The attendance was good and a very enjoyable evening was spent by all present.
The members of the Club bore practically all the expenditure, which left the Red Cross funds benefitted to the extent of nearly £10. This club has been instrumental in raising considerable amounts at different centres for the Red Cross and are deserving of the thanks of the community for their efforts in this worthy cause.
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MUCH regret is expressed at the departure of Miss Watson, sister of Mr C. P. Watson, of the local Savings Bank, from Frankston, where, after some years residence she was quite looked upon as an established fact and a competent leader in all local matters where the uplift of the community was concerned.
Being a lady of extensive experience in organising, Miss Watson was a very great assistance in commencing, and bringing the local branch of Red Cross to the successful and flourishing institution it is at present and it will be hard indeed to fill her place.
Miss Watson will leave Frankston in the happy knowledge of having “done what she could” to her utmost and left an impression that will not be easily wiped out or forgotten.
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A. R. Blannin Ferguson, who left Australia in old “C” Coy, 4th Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade, A.I.F., October 19th 1914, son of Mrs K. Blannin-Ferguson, Majors Hill, Mt. Martha, Mornington, grandson of the late Major Alfred Blannin, and nephew of Colonel R. Roberton V.D. has been granted a Commission in the British Army, being attached to the 11th Reserve Battalion Gloucester-shire Regiment, he is at present at 43. St Cuthbert street, Bedford.
He is an old boy of the Frankston State School, at the time of Mr Hughes, Mr Catron, and Miss Anderson. Among those who were there were W. Gregory, F. Harley, C. Bell, A. Kerr, and Misses F. Sage, C. and D. Gregory, O. Oliver, D. Bates, and Bob Bates, who is now with the 7th Battalion.
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A most enjoyable afternoon was spent at the Savings Bank on Friday 11th inst. The invitation, given by Miss Watson to all those eager to help our soldiers at Langwarrin, by bringing or sending old linen, was most warmly responded to, 20 large rolls being the total.
Dainty afternoon tea was kindly given by Miss Watson and thoroughly enjoyed. Many were the expressions of regret at the departure of Miss Watson from the district and especially from our local Red Cross.
The following ladies either sent or brought linen:— Mesdames Dalman, Marks, Pidgeon, Scarborough, Deane, Wheeler, Maxwell, Pownell, Overton, Chamberlain, Shepherd, Young, Jackson, Kitchen, Brodie, M. H. Jackson, Bell, Ferrier, Hay, Misses Purves, Little and Watson.
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THE friends of Mr and Mrs William Stephens, of Carrum, will regret to hear of the death of their second eldest son, Frederick Richard, which occurred at their residence on Friday last. The deceased had been in ill health for some three years past. The remains were followed to the place of interment (the Frankston Cemetery) by a large number of friends. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr Hector Gamble, of Frankston. Mr and Mrs Stephens desire us to acknowledge the great care and unremitting attention shown by Dr. Maxwell, during their late son’s long illness.
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From the pages of the Mornington Standard, 26 February, 1916