A MOST successful smoke social was given to its members on Saturday night, 23rd July, by the Hastings Branch of the Returned Sailors’ and Soldiers’ Imperial League of Australia.
After the toast of The King had been honored, the President, Mr Russell, in proposing the League, made it clear to those present, the great advantages to be derived by its members from the organisation if they would only stick together, attend the meetings regularly, and keep at heart the welfare and progress of the League, which should not be judged by what it bad been, but by what they could make it.
It was in their hands entirely, and in the future they ought to be able to reply to the query as to whether they were in “this Lodge, or that Society” by proudly saying “No, but we belong to the Returned Soldiers’ League.”
Several toasts of varying importance were honored, interspersed by items of songs and recitations, ably rendered by Messrs Bryant, Josephs, Armstrong, McInerney and Haddock.
Instrumental music was volunteered by Messrs Campbell, Broadley and Carey.
An outstanding event was the presentation to Mr J. Campbell, retiring secretary, by the branch, of a solid gold League medal, in recognition of his willing and efficient work during the past eighteen months.
The secretary, Mr MacRae, reminded all present of the branch meeting, held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month, and urgently requested that all returned men keep those evenings free in order to take part in transacting the business of the branch.
Messrs Goodwin and Bickley, in whose hands the catering arrangements had been left, were accorded a cordial vote of thanks for the splendid way in which they carried out their work.
A most enjoyable and memorable reunion was brought to a close shortly after 11 o’clock.
The next event of social interest will probably take the form of a musical evening and dance, which the close and steadfast ally of the Returned Soldier – the general public – will be asked to support.
***
MISS McFarlane, who has been appointed to take charge of the Hume Creek State School, was, prior to her departure, entertained at a social by members of St Paul’s, and was presented with a wallet and £13 in notes.
She has been succeeded at Frankston by Miss Cunningham.
***
MR Mark Brody reports that the following rainfall has been registered at Frankston:—June, 1.69 points; July, 3.56; total for past 7 months, 16.41.
It may be mentioned that the tides are the highest since 1893.
The past week is believed to have been the coldest since 1899. Over 100 points fell at Hastings on Wednesday last.
***
THE death is announced of Mr Mark Young, who for many years was identified with the Frankston district.
He came to Victoria in 1858, and, with the exception of a short residence in New Zealand, spent his early days in Ballarat.
In 1878, he removed to Melbourne, and thence to the Mornington Peninsula, where he displayed great interest and initiative in all public matters.
The late Mr Young, who was then licensee of the Pier Hotel, was for many years an active member of the Dandenong, Mornington and Frankston shire councils.
***
THE claim made by Miss Florence Oswin and Mrs Robb, of Cowes, and others, against Frank Jeffrey, Kent, England, for £40,000, relative to an alleged breach of contract regarding the sale of certain lands at Bittern, Balnarring, and the Naval Base, has been referred to the Full Court.
It was stated that 873 lots were sold for £33,255.
***
LIEUT Ray Parer started on his flight around Australia on Wednesday last, but, flying through hail at Macedon, he met with an accident, and had to be conveyed to Mount St Evens Hospital for treatment. Lieut
Parer began his flight against the advice of the Commonwealth Meteorologist, Mr Hunt.
***
TOMORROW’S umpires will be: Frankston v Dromana, Hunting; Naval Base v Somerville, Hughes; Mornington v Hastings, Bickford.
***
AT the last Euchre Party and Dance conducted by the Frankston II’s Football Club the prize winners were: Ladies, Mrs George Dugan; Gents, Mr Les Hughes; Boobies, Miss Lily Gamble and Mr Sam Wells.
The next euchre party takes place next Thursday night.
***
A BURGLAR, caught by Mr Claude Bannister, of Westernport, was sentenced to three months imprisonment in Melbourne during the week.
***
THE claim made by Henry Wallace, of Porepunkah, against the Orchard Planters Association for the recovery of £240 for blocks on Warrenda Estate, Crib Point, on the grounds of misrepresentation, was heard in the County Court by Judge Wasley, who reserved his decision.
***
THE caveat lodged by Mr James Caughey in reference to his father’s will has been withdrawn on £112 being advanced to defray his costs.
The case concerned property at Westernport, valued at £1900, which the late James Caughey left to two of his children, without recognition of the rest of the family.
***
SPEAKING at the annual meeting of the Nature Photographer’s Club, Mr Jones, of the Department of Agriculture, deprecated the destruction of wattles and orchids in the Frankston district.
He said that through the thoughtlessness of orchid hunters, who did not merely pluck the flower, but pulled up the tuber from which it grew and from which the root of the next year’s flower would spring, Victoria was in danger of losing many rare and beautiful orchid varieties.
***
YET another Hastings orchardist steppes into the advance line and replaced waggon and horse team with and up-to-date motor vehicle.
Cr Chas Jones annihilates time and space in most care free fashion.
Recently he left home on Thursday morning with his motor van full of produce.
He delivered its cargo at the Melbourne market, and was back at Somerville at 10.30am the same day, ready to wrestle with the weighty problems of municipal government.
Cr Jones and his colleague, Cr H. E. Unthank are now both well provided with means of speedy transit, and should be enthusiastic witnesses in support of the gospel of good roads – and more roads.
***
A MOST successful and enjoyable meeting of the Frankston Progress Association was held last week, when after the transaction of routine business, including a report by Cr Wells re railway and other matters.
Mr P. Wheeler entertained members with his “Talk about Fiji.”
Keen interest was taken in the descriptive story connected with Mr Wheeler’s recent visit to the Islands in question and additional point was given a well told narrative by the display of many curios collected by the speaker during his tour.
It is intended to ask Mr Wheeler to repeat his highly interesting lecturette at an early date.
***
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 5 August 1921