Compiled by Cameron McCullough
THERE is no doubt the autumn of 1924 will be long remembered as the wet autumn.
Again we have had another soaking downpour, with the result that all the low-lying land is again under water.
Our representative paid a visit to a number of the places affected, and points out that something will have to be done, and done immediately, to bring about an end to this state of affairs.
Quite a number of houses are practically unapproachable, the only dry means being by a vehicle or by boat. Some places have fixed planks to walk on, and woe beside the person who steps off the plank.
In Beach Street the water is lying in some places fully 2ft deep, marking the street impassable for pedestrians, and while there may be some excuse, owing to the abnormal rains, it is thought by quite a number of persons that if the drains were cleared out, the water would have a much better chance of getting away than it has under the present conditions, as many parts of the made drain in this street are very nearly full of debris of all kinds, and it only needs a heavy shower to overflow and run across the road, thus destroying a road that has only been down a few months.
Then, again, there is the drain that flows through the railway yard. If this were cleaned out, it would greatly facilitate the draining of Beach Street towards the railway line, and should to some extent release the water now lying around the cottage of the gatehouse.
Who is responsible for this portion we are unable to say, but to the average citizen it would appear that the railway authorities were.
If this is so, it should only mean the drawing of their attention to this menace that we feel it would be immediately attended to.
Going further afield, however, to the eastern part of Beach Street, we find the water pouring down the drain, which was made some years ago by the Council, to such an extent that the land and fence of the owner of the property facing the road, has become washed away and undermined to such an extent that it is likely to cause a serious depreciation in the value of the land.
The owner, Mr. Jolly, sen., says he has drawn the attention of the Council, and also individual Councillors to the state of the drain, and so far no remedial measures have been taken to cope with the trouble.
In fact, so dangerous has this become, that the people in the vicinity are quite cut off from the town. Any function that may be held in the town, at night, as in the one instance, an electric light pole has been placed right in the middle of the track people are accustomed to use, and in the other, and more important, case, because they are practically afraid of the road since the heavy rains, they claim that they are entitled to some consideration, and that at least one or two lights should be put on the road to give them some chance of getting to the town at night if they so desire.
They say, also that since the letter has appeared over the signature of A. E. Evans, that some of the Councillors have been along and inspected this street for themselves.
They are, therefore, hopeful that as a result some steps will be taken in the near future to cope with this trouble, and thus afford them ingress and egress from their respective properties by some other method than that of using a boat.
MRS. A. W. Sage notifies the general public, per medium of our advertising columns, that she is back again in her old-established confectionery business and tea-rooms, Mornington Road, Frankston, next the tennis court, where she hopes for a renewal of business with all her old friends and customers.
Only the best of everything is stocked, and by strict attention to business, combined with the usual courtesy and civility, she hopes to secure a fair share of the public custom.
THE friends of Mr. J. Ames, of Kars Street, Frankston, will be pleased to know that Mrs. Ames, who for the last five weeks has bee an innmate of a private hospital in Melbourne, has sufficiently recovered to allow of her removal to their town house.
RAILWAY travellers will be pleased to know that after a long illness, Mrs. Davis, wife of Guard Davis, of Kars Street, Frankston, is now well on the way towards recovery.
THE friends of Mr. T. McComb will be sorry to hear that he it at present in Melbourne undergoing an operation to his eyes. He has this paper’s best wishes for a successful operation and a speedy recovery.
Mrs. T. McComb, who has had another had turn, is at present staying with her daughter, Mrs. H. Garrood, Clarendon House, Frankston.
MR. and Mrs. R. Brockman, son-in- law and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kilner, of. William Street, Frankston, left at the beginning of the week for a motor trip to Sydney, and the Blue Mountains, via the Prince’s Highway.
MRS. Herbert Weynton, a resident of Devonshire, England, is now on a visit to her sister, Mrs. Howie, “Coolangatta,” Denbigh Street, Frankston.
We trust she finds the surroundings congenial during her stay.
MR. Lou Edwards, a well–known member of the Flinders Naval Depot Football Club, whilst practising for the forthcoming season, had the misfortune to fall and break his wrist.
A VERY pleasant evening was spent by the Somerville Cricketers on Wednesday of last week, when a send-off was given to Mr. Keast on the occasion of his departure for an extended visit to the Home Country and British Empire Exhibition.
Mr. Keast, who is President of the Somerville Cricket Club, was presented with a life members’ certificate by the club, in recognition of the many good works he has done for the club.
This is the first ever presented.
During the evening the Premiership Caps were presented to the club by Mr. Keast.
Numerous short speeches were made during the evening, Captain “Billy” Hutchinson holding the watch.
The following were the speakers: Dr. Bickart, Councillor McLean, Mr. Gault, Messrs. E. McConville, F. Murray and W. Hutchinson, the captain of the team.
Items were rendered during the evening by Messrs. R. Murray, R. Rivett, C. E. Gomm, and Mr. and Mrs. Copsey.
Mr. Keast, in responding, expressed the wish that he would be back amongst us again for the next cricket season, and hoped to see Somerville again on top.
He also thanked the club for the good wishes expressed, for himself, and also on behalf of Mrs. Keast and Miss Bennett, who are accompanying him on the trip.
He was pleased to see the team where it was, and thought they deserved to win, if only for the fine way all the men had pulled together under the capable handling of Mr. W. Hutchinson.
Mr. S. Martin read out letters of congratulation on winning the premiership from the good sports Dave Kennedy, of Frankston, Harry Denham, of Tyabb, L. Irving, Naval Depot, and Huntley and Eeles, Bittern.
The record of the club is interesting reading: played 18, won 14, drawn 3, lost 1, being beaten by Tyabb “A” team, which was the only club to beat all the teams in the competition.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 9 & 11 Apr 1924