TO mark their appreciation of the services rendered by the fire brigades of Frankston, Carrum and Chelsea in subduing recent fires about the foreshore, the residents of Seaford entertained representatives of the brigades above named at a smoke social in the Seaford Hall, on Saturday evening, February 25th.
There was a very large attendance, about 100 visitors sitting down to tables bountifully supplied with every good thing known to the culinary art.
The Borough of Carrum was represented by Cr. Stephens, and the Shire of Frankston and Hastings sent a strong contingent in Crs. Armstrong, Howell and Latham.
Mr. C. Hunter, president of the Seaford Progress Association, occupied the chair, and delivered the speech of welcome to the visitors.
Later on the formal toast list was proceeded with. The chairman, after giving the loyal toast, proposed the health of the members of the fire brigades, in which he expressed the indebtedness of the Seaford people to the men who had so readily assisted in fighting the fires along the foreshore.
Crs. Armstrong and Howell also added words of sincere thanks, and the toast was honoured with great enthusiasm.
Captain Smith (Chelsea) responded in humorous vein, and stated that his men had done no more than their duty.
Capt. D. Petrie (Frankston) also replied. While his brigade did not look for thanks, it was pleasing to know that their services were appreciated.
The Frankston Brigade, he said, was indebted to Mr. Morris Jacobs for kindly supplying vehicles to convey them to Seaford on the occasion of the conflagration.
Harmony was provided during the evening by Messrs. Grieves, Brickfield, Tate, Ellis, Coulthard, Peters and Larkin. Mr. Grieves also rendered fine service in playing the pianoforte accompaniments.
A very successful evening was brought to a conclusion by the singing of the National Anthem.
The Seaford committee worked enthusiastically in entertaining the visitors. The genial chairman (Mr. Hunter) was the right man in the right place, while Mr. Muir, as the presiding genius, who regulated the flow of ambrosial waters, rendered Hebe superfluous. Messrs. F. Moffit, Martorana, Everard, Daly and others also assisted.
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AT the Frankston Police Court on Monday last, before Mr. Knight, P.M., and Messrs. C. W. Grant, W. Armstrong and Luxford, J.’sP., a number of cases arising out of the activities of the licensing police were heard.
John Richards, licensee of the Riviera Hotel, Seaford, was called upon to answer two charges of serving liquor to other than bona fide travellers during prohibited hours.
Constable Davey, of Melbourne, gave evidence to the effect that on 29th January last, in company with Constable Hay he visited the Riviera Hotel at 7.45 p.m.
They were stopped at the door by a person who appeared to be in charge of the premises, and they were asked if they were bona-fide travellers.
They admitted they were not, and said they had come from Chelsea. The man at the door asked them to produce their railway tickets, and they showed him the return half of tickets, Chelsea to Melbourne. They were then served with drinks.
The same witness said that on the 5th February at 11.45 a.m. he again visited the hotel with Constable Hay.
The same man once again barred their progress at the door. They told him they had just walked up from Chelsea, and on further explaining that they had been in the hotel on the previous Sunday, he allowed them to enter, and they were served with drinks.
Witness was out looking for “sly groggers.”
To Inspector McCormack: Davey was dressed in a blue suit on the day in question.
Inspector McCormack: Well, Davey says he was dressed all in white.
To the P.M.: He was not trying to protect his billet. He was not trying to make up to Richards for letting him down.
P.M., to Inspector McCormack: Will you withdraw the charge? Do you want a conviction?
The evidence is that this is a well conducted hotel and the licensee bears an exceptionally good character.
He is the sort of man you want to hold a license and you say yourself that the hotel is well conducted.
Inspector McCormack said he would withdraw one case.
Upon the P.M. again suggesting to the Inspector to withdraw the other case as well, Inspector McCormack declined to do so, owing, as he said, to complaints received.
A fine of £2 was imposed on the first charge, and the second charge was withdrawn.
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MESSRS Taylor and Ritchie, Ford Agents of Mornington, who are representatives for Frankston, Mornington and Peninsula Districts, wish to announce that they will have and view, and will demonstrate at the forth coming Somerville Show, several of the latest Model Ford Cars and Trucks.
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MR H. M. Collins, vice-president of the Alfred Hospital, has convened a public meeting at Frankston, to form a branch of the Alfred Hospital Auxiliary.
The movement is sure to receive the warm support of district residents, and a large attendance is hoped for at the Frankston Hall on Thursday, 23rd inst:, at 3pm.
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MRS M. Moloney, who for several years was licensee of The Pier Hotel, Frankston, was presented with a wristlet watch on Saturday afternoon, last, at an informal little gathering of friends.
Mr. A. E. Lasslett, J.P. made the presentation, and his remarks were supported by Mr Jas. Grice, J.P. Mr R. Fairnie responded on behalf of Mrs Moloney.
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AT last week’s council meeting a legal opinion was received from the Shire Solicitor, stating that the action proposed by the Council for striking a special rate for financing the High School proposal could not be carried out at this stage, but indicated that the money could be provided out of the general municipal fund, by placing some on the estimates.
Cr. Gray said the council should face the position.
It meant increasing the general rate by about 3d., extending over 3 or 4 years, if the adjoining councils did not assist.
The president thought they should make a further effort to secure support from outside councils.
Cr. Gray moved that a conference be held at a date to be fixed, and that the adjoining councils, the Peninisula School Associations, and this Council attend; that Mr Tait, Director of Education be advised, and invited to be present, with a view to discussing the financial position.
Cr. May was in favor of bringing in the schools associations, and seconded the resolution, which was carried.
It was also resolved to ask the secretary of the Peninsula Schools Association to call a meeting at once, and that Crs. Mason and Armstrong be deputed to attend same and explain the position.
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A WARNING – ANYONE found Taking HAY or WOOD out of any of my Paddocks, or Found TRESPASSING, with or without Dogs or Guns, will be Prosecuted.
N. C HOLDSWORTH,
‘Weerona “ Baxter,
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 10 March 1922