MR A. Patterson has received the following letter from his son George, who has been on active service for some considerable time, and still appears to be going strong:
Dear Father and Mother, Have just received your very welcome letter and pleased to hear that you are all well as it leaves me at present.
I have met Len Mackie at last and have been with him all the afternoon.
He seems to walk a bit lame yet and do not think he will last over here long.
Things are very quiet at present after some of the lively times that we have had. It just seems like heaven to have an easy time of it and we have deserved all that we are getting, and when I get back I will tell you things that will open your eyes, about what our lads have done.
They are, without a doubt, the finest soldiers in this war, and it would have been ‘God help England’ without a few of our lads that could stand and hold the Fritzies with odds 20 to 1; and now no matter where we go about France the French people give us a bonny time, especially in Paris where they make you feel like if you were at home, and now the Yanks are pouring in, in thousands we might get that long spell that has been promised to us, and the one that we have earned too.
Glad to hear something of Chas. Watson, as I have not had a letter from him for some months now, but he still sends papers to me, which come in very handy now-a-days, and I would like to find out his address so I could write and thank him for same.
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NATURALLY the people of the English speaking race, standing shoulder to shoulder in the fight for the world’s freedom, are possessed by a strong desire to draw closer the ties which unite them.
In moments of expansion Londoners feel that it would be good to have a man like Hughes living in their midst; and New Yorkers are impressed by the nation that a man of high calibre residing in the United States would do much to promote profitable intercourse between America and Australia.
We feel that Australia should be better versed in the purposes of Great Britain, and that Great Britain should have fuller knowledge of the feeling of the dominions.
The war has taught us how closely our fortunes are united; has taught us that if at any future time England should fall to the Hun, we must perish as a free, self governing people.
We would very gladly be represented in the councils of Great Britain by Australians of mark, who would inform Federal Ministers of Britain’s purposes. Hitherto “Home” appointment have too often been made by way of rewarding a veteran who lagged superfluous on the local stage, or of getting rid of political friends who had grown troublesome.
It has always been recognised that no politician can always remain in London as the representative of Australia today. Changes of thought and feeling come rapidly, so that two or three years about Westminster put a man our of touch with the Federal Parliament. So those in the prime of life are seldom disposed to accept an appointment necessarily temporary and which may last just long enough to leave them outside new political alliances.
Perhaps if an honest attempt is made it may be possible to send as High Commissioners, as Agents General, as commercial delegates, men elected simply because they are fit for the task they undertake. Hitherto, there has been no attempt.
Positions of the kind referred to have been openly regarded as prizes for important services to one or other of the great parties, and as a result pegs have been thrust into holes without much regard to fitness.
So there is universal growling at a system which in thirteen years has raised the cost of Australian representation in London from £25,000 to £140, 000, and which so far as most of us can see has not given us a much better service in return than we received in 1905.
The only reason for assuming that other appointments may be made on sounder lines is that the times are critical, and that all but the basest feel a stronger sense of national duty than they cherished in the pre-war days.
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THE attention of motorists and others is directed to an advertisment in another column, drawing attention to some special lines now on sale at H. P. Forster’s garage, Frankston.
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MRS Bunney intimates by advertisment in another column that she has taken over the fruit, vegetable, and confectionery business lately carried on by Mrs Rimmer, and hopes to command a share of public patronage.
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A PAINFULLY sudden death occurred at Mornington on Tuesday 20th inst, when Mr Louis Harrison, whilst ascending the stairs at the Grand Hotel, suddenly collapsed. The deceased, who had been the proprietor of the Grand Hotel for a number of years, was well known in the district, and was universally esteemed. He was connected with, and took an active part in, all the local sporting bodies, and was a prominent figure in any movement for the benefit of the town. Great sympathy is expressed by a wide circle of friends for MRs Harrison and family in their great bereavement.
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THE following letter has been received from Sir David. Hennesy, in which a cheque for £1 1s was enclosed for the Avenue of Honor:
Dear Mr President, In reply to yours of 19th inst. I am enclosing my cheque for 21s towards planting trees in memory of our brave boys who have nobly died for their Country’s cause.
I must congratulate you, and the great band of Patriotic workers of Frankston who have so unselfishly assisted in all movements for the cause and benefit of our fighting heroes.
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ANOTHER of the series of fortnightly euchre parties and dances under the auspices of the “Wattle” Club was held in the Frankston Mechanics’ on Thursday, 29th inst; There was a good attendance, and the prizes for the euchre tournament fell to Mrs Lee and Mr Thompson senr.
After an enjoyable supper, the usual dance was held.
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FRANKSTON Court of Petty Sessions. Monday, 26th August 1918.
Before Messrs Knight, P.M., Oates, Grant, Williams and McLean, J’s.P.
F. S. Taylor, Frankston, and Evelyn Ikey were each fined 10s with 4s costs, for failing to have their daries licensed.
A youth named Ezekiah Smith, 18 years, was charged with trespassing on Railway land at Chelsea, and with unlawfully assaulting Thomas Petty. Station Master at Chelsea.
He pleaded guilty to the first charge and was fined 10s. On the second charge he pleaded not guilty. After hearing the evidence the P.M. said he was convinced that he was guilty of an assault, though not a very serious one. On account of the youth of the accused he would not record a conviction, but would adjourn the case to a date to be fixed.
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IN MEMORIAM. ADDICOTT—In loving memory of Arnold, who died 2nd September, 1917 (result of motor accident on Hastings Road)
He bade no one a last farewell,
He said good-bye to no one,
His spirit had fled before we knew
That from us he had gone.
Inserted by his loving father, mother, sisters and brothers.
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WANTED TO BUY—PIANO. Cash before leaving house Iron frame. State price. No humbug. Reply to PIANO, Frankston P O.
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From the pages of the Mornington Standard, 31 August 1918