MR Mark Brody (who says he is “not a councillor”) has written to “The Standard”:
I am loathe to rush into print, but the circumstances warrant it.
It is a crying shame and disgrace the neglected look of that fine double row of trees planted in memory of those brave boys who assisted (and succeeded) in keeping the detestable Hun from our shores (and God help us if they had succeeded).
I am more than astonished at the attitude of parents whose sons paid the supreme sacrifice.
On looking over the Avenue, one will see several fine ones with an angle of 90 degrees, others twisted and sweeping the ground, whilst quite a number are missing altogether.
The whole affair wears a neglected look and bears out the old adage “out of sight, out of mind”and now the glamour of war is over and no chance of much limelight, it is nobody’s business to keep up the memory of our protectors.
In other towns not so pretentious as Frankston one notices that where they have made an effort in the same direction the place is well looked after.
We have returned men in our midst who would be thankful for a little work, and I would humbly suggest that if no one is responsible some of our old and tried councillors should fall into the breach, as the matter wants attention at once before the windy season is upon us.
A Ballarat man was speaking to me last week, and comparing ours and theirs he “smole a smile”, as he said theirs was a picture and a joy for ever!
I apologise for taking the liberty of writing thus.”
***
A FORMER stationmaster at Frankston, Mr J. McDonald, has been paying the village a visit, renewing old friendships and making new ones.
***
MR W. D. Leckie, the far known Scot, recently visited Frankston and conferred with “a brither Scot,” Mr Milner Macmaster, regarding the prospective Mornington Peninsula Caledonian Society.
***
THE late Mrs Eliza Robins, late of Cranbourne has left £3,697, part of which is likely to benefit the Melbourne and Women’s Hospitals.
***
THE residents of Carrum are holding bazaars, euchre parties, &c. to assist the blind soldier, Sergt Dudley Newgent, who resides at Carrum.
A queen carnival is occasioning great excitement.
***
MR and Mrs W. J. Adams who arrived by the Narkunda from England immediately upon arrival enjoyed a motor trip to Frankston and Flinders.
Mr and Mrs A. H. Sargood, with Miss Lorna Sargood, of Mornington Road, Frankston, sailed by the Narkunda for England.
The oldest son will stay and occupy a stool in the London office of Sargood’s Ltd. Major and Mrs Stewart Balmain, late of Balnarring, sailed, by the same boat.
Mrs Lunn, who arrived from England by the Borda to take charge of the Ragged Boys’ Home, Frankston, is the mother of Mrs W. Minton, whose husband is secretary of the Home.
Mrs Lunn had charge of the late Dr Barnardo’s first Home for Boys at Brighton, where boys were trained and sent to Canada.
She also organised the Crippled Children’s Homes at Birmingham.
***
MRS James Grice, of “Moondah,” Frankston, was present at the recent reception held by Mrs George Fairbairn at “Dunraven,” Toorak, in honor of her, daughter, Mrs Stewart Balmain.
***
MR William Keast, of Keast Bros (Frankston, Somerville and Hastings) who has been in indifferent health for some time, has left Frankston to reside inland.
***
AT the Frankston police court on Monday, 7th March, before Mr. Knight, P.M., and Mr. C. W. Grant J.P., the following cases were dealt with:
Clarke v. McKenzie. Adjourned for four weeks.
Police v. H. Woodward, neglecting to send child to school. Fined 10/-, in default 3 days.
Inspector of Factories v. Malcolm Russell, Chelsea, failing to keep his factory clean — Dismissed on the promise that defendant had already been fined under the Health Act for an offence arising out of the same set of facts at the Cheltenham Court.
Borough of Carrum v. L. J. Dodd, J. McIvoy and 20 other defendants, all residing within the Borough of Carrum, for allowing stock to stray.
Mr. Williams, who appeared to prosecute, explained that the by-law since the severance from Dandenong had been inoperative.
It had now been made effective and while he did not press for heavy penalties, he asked that defendants should be made to realise the seriousness of the offence.
Fines ranging from 2/6 to 5/- with 4/6 costs and 10/6 council’s fees were imposed.
The P.M. remarked that his colleague (Mr. Grant) considered the solicitor’s fee too high.
Mr. Williams said these cases did not pay him, and he would prefer to be without them.
The P.M. suggested that future prosecutions could he conducted by the officers of the council.
Monday, 14th March. Before Cr. W. P. Mason and Capt. S. Sherlock, J.’s.P.
Wm. McLeod proceed against Wm. Connal on a charge of using insulting words in a public place.
Mr. Sharp appeared for complainant and Mr. L. L. Rostron defended.
Complainant said he was a fisherman and was 84 years of age. On the 5th March defendant on two occasions in Bay street, Frankston, called him a d—— old thief and a d—— old rogue.
Cross-examined by Mr. Rostron, complainant said the accusation was an unjust one.
Arthur Ryan said he heard Connal accuse McLeod of taking his bait.
Witness stated the words used, which were of a lurid character.
Cross-examined, witness was positive as to his evidence.
He had once taken a pair of oars belonging to Mr. Gregory in mistake.
Defendant said on the morning in question he and Francis were the only two fishermen with trout.
A boy told him that an old man had taken trout out of a box on the pier.
He admitted calling McLeod a thief and a rogue and threatened to prosecute him for theft.
Cross-examined by Mr. Sharp, witness was not acting on supposition.
He did not know where McLeod’s boat was now. He heard it was missing.
Mr. Sharp: You have a weakness for suspecting people. Some time ago you suspected a man in the town of being a German.
Mr. Rostron objected to this line of cross-examination, and instructed witness not to answer certain other questions.
Frank Francis supported the statement that he and Connal were the only two fishermen with trout on the morning in question. He was sleeping on the pier to catch complainant.
E. Burton said he saw trout in complainant’s basket on the morning referred to.
To Mr. Sharp: He knew nothing about a herring being drawn across the trail. Had never heard of it. (Laughter.)
Re-examined, witness had never been in court before. Burton had told him to get bait from his boat when he wanted it.
Witness was a married man with a family.
The Bench dismissed the case, each party to pay their own costs.
***
FROM the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 18 March 1921