AS suggested by a correspondent in the last issue of “The Standard,” a movement has been initiated to give public recognition of the bravery of Bryan Lane, Colin Robinson and Ray Coxall, who were instrumental in saving persons from drowning at Frankston recently.
In another column Cr. W. P. Mason invites the residents to attend a public meeting, to be held at the Shire Hall, Frankston, on Monday next, at 8pm, to discuss the matter.
Yesterday Mrs. Morgan, the mother of the young lady, who was rescued by Bryan Lane and Colin Robinson, called at “The Standard” office, and expressed to the Editor her keen desire to express appreciation of the bravery of the lads named.
When advised that Cr. Mason had convened a public meeting to discuss the matter, she indicated that she and her husband would be delighted to co-operate in any movement designed to recognise the outstanding heroism of the boys named.
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IT is pleasing to note that Senior Constable Cullane has been able to resume duty after some weeks’ incapacitation, owing to his wound.
This paper hastens to congratulate him upon his recovery, as we know does all people of the district, to whom the Senior’s uniform courtesy and kindly bearing has endeared him.
We wish him a long and useful life, with no more happenings of this kind to mar his useful public life.
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MR. and Mrs. R. S. Lamont and family, of Essendon, are again spending their summer holidays at Frankston, having taken “Green Gables,” Long Island, for a couple of months.
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THE many friends of the late Police Sergeant W. H. McCormack, formerly stationed at Frankston, will be pleased to learn that Millie McCormack, the talented young singer, who carried off the Entrance Scholarship at the Albert Hall Conservatorium last year, has made good use of the opportunities afforded.
This had been proved at the recent examinations where she has gained honors in piano.
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AT the Council meeting on Friday a largely signed petition was presented, pointing out the damage done by careless campers on the foreshore and reserves.
The Boy Scouts’ methods are an object lesson to many careless campers.
A largely signed joint letter from residents in the vicinity of Mile Bridge was read at last Friday’s Council meeting.
They stated that they viewed with increasing alarm the increasing practice of parties of people camping on the foreshore and reserves of the district without permission of the Council.
This, they said, constituted a grave nuisance, and was a menace to the ratepayers’ health and property.
It was requested that the Council tighten up the by-laws, and make the regulations effective.
The petitioners asked to be advised of the name of the Council’s officer responsible for enforcing the by-laws. The complaints were enumerated as follows:
1. Absence of notice boards forbidding camping.
2. Danger from fire.
3. No sanitary arrangements.
4. Decomposition of food and animal matter.
5. Millions of flies are attracted to such suitable breeding places, and act as carriers of filth and disease.
6. After a camp there is always a litter left about, consisting of tins, papers, bottles, and other disgusting matter.
7. Mixed sexes are often camped together, which is detrimental to the moral standing of the district.
Cr. Mason moved that the Council’s solicitor be instructed to frame a by-law prohibiting camping on the foreshore or public reserves, and that petitioners be notified of the action taken.
Cr. McCulloch seconded. He noticed several camps at Seaford, and there seemed to be an absence of sanitary conveniences and precautions.
There were a lot of foreshore bailiffs at Seaford. He was one himself, but no one seemed to exercise supervision over the camps.
Notices should be posted up warning people against fire, and prohibiting camping.
Cr. Howell said the Council wanted to be careful not to be too stringent, and thus prohibit day motor parties.
Cr. Mason advocated the erection of open fire-places on the reserves for the use of picnic parties.
The motion was carried.
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AN accident of a painful character happened to Albert Addicott, 23years, on Saturday last.
Whilst cutting firewood at his father’s factory he had the misfortune to get his right hand severely cut by a circular saw.
He was at once taken to Dr. Johnson, who, after bandaging the injured hand, ordered his removal to the Alfred Hospital, where, we understand, he is doing as well as can be expected.
It is not yet known whether he will lose the use of any of his fingers, but it is hoped he will not.
This paper extends its sympathy with the family, who have had the misfortune to have the father at present incapacitated with a broken arm.
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The death of Mr. Morris removes from the scene a well known identity of Langwarrin.
He possessed that easy style, so typical of the popular railway official.
Two of his sons are clergymen, and a third is an engineer. Truly cosmopolitan by nature, the old gentleman’s home was a popular weekend resort for many city friends, and one could meet a trainer’s son who had ridden a Melbourne Cup winner, a lady vocalist, or elocutionist, a Government expert, or a lay preacher on circuit duty.
He had no fears for the future, even as he visibly declined in health. His cheery nature saw the silver lining in every cloud.
He passed away at Dunolly, where he was buried. It was a district he dearly loved, and over his tomb might one write R. L. Stevenson’s words:
“This be the verse you grave for me, Here he lies where he longed to be.”
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THE frank statement of Cr. Unthank (president of Frankston and Hastings Shire) must surely remove any lingering doubts in the minds of citizens as to the wisdom of the Council’s action in installing the “Fecto” disinfector.
This paper’s columns are always open to ventilate the views of citizens of the town, and especially for the purpose of assisting helpful criticism.
The facts disclosed by the President simply show that, after full deliberation, and after the scientific and invaluable advice of Dr. Neilson, and the practical counsel of Dr. Merrilees, it was decided, in the interests of the health of the townspeople and visitors, to take every reasonable precaution to safeguard the health of the citizens of the town.
The recent hot spell must have made abundantly clear the necessity of some action being taken, and the Council is to be commended for its promptness.
Necessitas non habet legem.
There were evidently in our midst people quite prepared to discuss – evidently supremely ignorant of the imminent risk to health – the merits and demerits of different and, possibly, effective machines.
To them may we remark that Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
As the President truly said, “The clock of progress (as far as Frankston was concerned) might surely have been put back for a number of years” had any serious epidemic broken out at the time the town was thronged with holiday residents and pleasure seekers.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 16 & 18 Jan 1924