Compiled by Brodie Cowburn
A DISTRESSING fatality occurred in Melbourne on Thursday last when a lad named Arthur Albert Verney 14 years, son of Mr and Mrs Verney of Frankston was killed.
Shortly after 4 p.m. a salesman employed at Shanks and Co’s ware- house, 351 Flinders Lane, noticed that the goods lift was some distance below the ground floor.
Closer inspection revealed that a boy had been crushed between the lift and the wall. Constable Froher was called and the boy was extricated and taken to the Melbourne Hospital.
On arrival there he was found to be dead.
The lift in which the fatality occurred opens out on to Bond St. and has an automatic door which closes immediately the lift ascends.
It is thought that the lad, who had been employed as a messenger for Henry Buck and Co., Swanston St. managed to get into the lift while the door was open.
In coming down from another floor he apparently became bewildered when nearing the ground floor and being unable to stop the lift he attempted to jump out with the result that he sustained fatal injuries.
Great sympathy is expressed for the parents in their sad bereavement.
***
THE sad news was received from the Defence Department on Monday, February 11th, by Mrs Elliot “Bee Farm” Frankston, that her only surviving son, Private Michael Elliot, had died at the First Auxiliary Hospital, England, on the 7th February.
The late Private Michael Elliot enlisted on January 17th 1916, and sailed with the 24th battalion on March 21st 1916.
He was on active service from September to December, when he was sent to England suffering from trench feet.
He returned to France again on Sept 20th 1917 and was wounded in the head on Oct 16th, 1917.
On the 18th January of this year he was reported suffering from pluerisy, and as stated above died on the 7th February, 1918, at the age of 23½ years.
The late Private Elliot was the brother of Gunner Matthew Elliot who was killed in France on Feb 27th 1917.
Much sympathy is felt for Mrs Elliot and her daughters in their sad loss.
***
MR A. G. Wilcox, who recently, returned to Frankston from active service abroad, has been rather seri- ously indisposed, and is under the care of Dr Atkinson.
We trust Mr Wilcox will have a speedy restoration to health.
***
MRS Rimmer of the “Plaza” Playne St, Frankston has been ordered by her medical adviser to relinguish business. She has therefore decided to dispose of the business as a going concern and to take a complete rest.
***
AT the childrens’ court at Frankston on Monday last, several youthful offenders were dealt with.
Thos Jenson was charged with illegally using a bicycle; a boy named Saunders was charged with stealing postal articles; and, the charge against a boy named Osborne was that he stole a large sum of money from Keast’s store at Frankston, on 18th January last.
***
DEATH has removed another very old and respected resident of Pearcedale, in the person of Mr Nathanial Pearce.
The late Mr Pearce was, at the time of his death, the last of the original settlers.
He took up land here many years ago and with his family, has been in the district ever since.
The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Monday, the Rev A. P. McFarlane officiating at the graveside.
***
SEVERAL reports have reached us that men have entered private property and fallen timber for the purpose of obtaining honey.
As this is contrary to the law we may inform these honey thieves that a vigilant society exists in the Peninsula to deal with this matter.
Becoming bolder, the thieves have actually robbed private hives left in isolated parts.
In one case they fell a tree and burnt over 4 tons of firewood before the owner of the week end villa arrived.
When we state the men are in receipt of regular pay from the State it can be realised how mean the creatures are.
***
THE Presbyterian Young Men’s Bible Class Union of Victoria, will again Camp this Easter on the Frankston Cricket ground, near the station.
The camp starts on March 28th and ends on April 1st. An attendance of about 150 members is expected.
Last year the Union arranged a successful concert in the local Mechanics’ Institute, in aid of the Red Cross Funds.
This year another concert will be given, the proceed to be for the Repatriation Fund.
A good programme will be staged by members of the Union, assisted by leading Melbourne artists.
***
A MEETING of the Frankston branch of the National Federation will be held in the hall on Wednesday next, February 20th at 8pm.
On the same date a meeting of the Citizens’ League will be held, when it is to be hoped there will be a good attendance.
There should be a good attendance of citizens of Frankston at the meeting on Monday evening called for the purpose of discussing ways and means of improving Kananook Creek.
The matter is one of importance to all, as the present state of the creek is most unsatisfactory
***
IF sufficient inducement offers, the Peninsula Motor Garage Pty. Ltd. will run a service of motor cars from Mornington, Somerville, Langwarrin and Carrum, in connection with the concert in Frankston on Saturday, March 9th for the Soldiers’ Repatriation Fund.
Patrons wishing to attend the concert from the previously mentioned towns, should at once get into touch with Mr Bradbury, the company’s manager.
***
THE tennis club intend to win some laurels his year, if practice will accomplish it.
The addition of Miss Marsh to the committee will only strengthen it and the lady champion, Miss Nicholls, will have to look to her laurels against a promising young player in Miss Amy Clark, daughter of Mr John Clark, in his day, a good all round athlete.
***
A PUBLIC meeting was held in the Tyabb Hall on Tuesday 12th February. Cr. Longmuir was voted to the chair.
It was moved that the Red Cross society hold social evenings which would include raffles, lucky bags etc.
The Fruitgrowers’ are to be asked for donation of fruit or cash, the fruit to be sold and the proceeds devoted to the funds.
***
From the pages of the Mornington Standard, 16 February 1918