THE quiet which had been brooding over Frankston, since the outburst on Friday, when it was rumoured that the Allies’ Peace terms had been agreed, and hostilities on all battle fronts had ceased, was broken on Monday evening at about nine o’clock when it was officially announced that Peace had at least been proclaimed and the war was ended.
Although Friday’s demonstration had somewhat worn off the novelty, there was no less sincerity and relief in the hearts off the crowd which thronged the streets and gave vent to their pent up feelings a few minutes after the bells began to tell the glad news.
All meetings which were being held were immediately adjourned, and Cr Oates addressing the people from the cannon, amid cheers, proclaimed the following day a public holiday.
On the hat being passed round for funds to obtain fireworks, the sum of £5 was raised.
Crowds of people remained in the street till a late hour singing, ringing bells, and demonstrating an intense patriotic feeling.
A number of lads, under a large Union Jack, headed a procession which marched the streets.
THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY.
On Tuesday Frankston was gaily decorated with bunting and greens.
Volunteers carted loads of wood etc to the cricket ground where the evening’s celebrations were to take place.
The Langwarrin band arriving at midday, made things very gay with music and at three o’clock in the afternoon a great mass of people had assembled in the main street, where a service was held.
Cr Oates presided and apologised for the unavoidable absence of Rev Tonkin and Mr Brody, and addresses were delivered by Rev M’Farlane, Rev Rymer, and Captain Gates.
Each speaker pointed out that it was the hand of God who had assisted the Allies in withering the Beast of Berlin, and exhorted the people, in the hard days yet before us, to use love and sympathy rather than force, in dealing with our fellow creatures.
A number of hymns were sung heartily during the service, for which the band played the accompaniments.
A collection for the Honor Roll and Avenue of honor was taken up, and a good response was made, the sum of £10 being subscribed on this occasion.
The day of rejoicing was drawing to a conclusion, but the joy was not yet over.
A very large crowd gathered in witness the burning of an effigy of the Kaiser. At eight o’clock the fire was lit and the mass of flame shot into the sky, illuminating the animated faces of the exultant spectators.
A resplendent cry went up when, at last, the head of the monster rolled onto the ground a smoking smoldering mess.
Gaiety was somewhat stilled in that no fire works were set off.
Cr Oates explained that this was on account of the danger to the public through the explosives, a number of accidents having occurred in the city through thoughtless people throwing crackers into a crowd.
***
THE following additional subscriptions have been received by the hon secretary in aid of the Frankston Honor Avenue :Mr Welshman, 10s; Mr W. Williams, £1; Mrs Williams, £1; Mr F. H. Smith, £2 2s; Mr Martozona, £1 1s; G. W. Wells, £1 1s ; Mrs Bolger, 5s.
***
REV E. Tonkin will conduct both services in the Frankston Methodist Church on Sunday next.
In the evening the subject of address will be “The demoralising effect of the liquor traffic, and the demand for prohibition”.
Members of the I.O.R. and W.C.T.U. will be present.
Solos will be rendered by Misses G. Croskell and E. Gale.
***
A CONFIRMATION service will be held in the Mount Eliza Church of England on Sunday afternoon next when the Bishop of Melbourne will perform the rite of confirmation on a number of children of members of the church in that district and also children belonging to the church at Moorooduc.
***
AN excursion train will leave Somerville at 8.10, and Frankston at 8.45 next Friday morning, November 22, and run right through to Royal Park Station, in order to convey, children and parents to a Frankston District Picnic at the Zoo.
The following places have been invited to participate: Carrum Downs, Seaford, Frankston, Mt Eliza, Langwarrin, Baxter, Somerville and Moorooduc.
Families to provide their own refreshments. Hot water will be obtainable.
The precise time of starting will be notified by dodger later on.
***
ANNIVERSARY services in connection with the Frankston Methodist Sunday School was held on Sunday last which were highly successful.
Rev J . E. Warren, of Balaclava, preached in the morning, afternoon and evening to excellent congregations.
A feature of the services was the fine singing of he children, ably assisted by an orchestra of seven instruments.
On Monday the church building was filled, when a good programme of music and singing was gone through, which was brought to a rather abrupt conclusion by the declaration of peace, the majority of the audience leaving to take part in the celebrations.
***
ST PANCRAS’ private hospital will in future be carried on by a capable nurse in the person of Sister Campbell R.V.T.N.A., who has commenced her duties this week.
Sister Campbell comes to Frankston with excellent credentials and will, no doubt soon find she is a most welcome resident.
***
The friends of Mr Elrick Tait, son of Mr and Mrs C. Tait, of Frankston, who is a wireless operator on H. M. Troopship ‘Field Marshall’, will be pleased to hear that he is recovering from a severe attack of Spanish influenza and is now on his way back to Australia, after being away on active service for some considerable time.
A most interesting letter has been received in which he states that the ‘Field Marshall’ was made Commodore of the Convoy recently.
Elrick wishes to be remembered to all “Aussie” friends.
***
AT 3 p.m., on Sunday next, a united Thanksgiving service will be held in the Frankston Park, at which every body is earnestly requested to attend.
Local ministers will give addresses, and the singing will be led by Mr Proster’s orchestra.
A collection for the Honor Roll will be taken up.
***
MEMBERS of the Presbyterian Church spent a very pleasant evening at ‘Osborne House’ on Tuesday last, where there was a social gathering.
A programme of songs and recitations was gone through and the items were all much appreciated.
Before partaking of supper, which was daintily and tastefully laid out, the tables being decorated with beautiful flowers as well as an abundance of appetising dishes, Mr Brodie, Minister of the Presbyterian Church at Frankston, presented Miss Cadle, Matron of St. Pancras Hospital, with a handsome gold pendant, as a mark of esteem, on behalf of her friends in the church.
Miss Cadle has been compelled to take an extended holiday and left on Wednesday for Tasmania, where it is hoped a complete rest and change will restore her health, for which reason she has had to relinquish her duties.
The singing of the national anthem brought a most pleasant evening to a close.
***
From the pages of the Mornington Standard, 16 November 1918