Compiled by Cameron McCullough
A WOMAN named Mrs. Duggan, aged 90 years, was burned to death at Frankston on Tuesday morning last.
Deceased, with a middle-aged daughter, lived in a three-roomed cottage off Lewis street.
On the morning of the tragedy Miss Duggan, after lighting a fire for breakfast, went in search of the cows, leaving her mother, who was an invalid, in bed.
During the daughter’s absence the house caught fire, and Mrs. Duggan who, it is stated, was unable to move without assistance, met with an awful fate.
Mr. A. Nicholson, who resides next door, was the first on the spot. When he rushed to the scene the doomed dwelling burst out into a solid mass of flame, rendering help impossible.
Mr. Nicholson’s house caught fire, and but for the timely assistance of the Frankston Fire Brigade, under the direction of Mr. J. Cameron (acting Captain), it would have been destroyed.
Mr. Nicholson is loud in his praise of the prompt and efficient manner in which the brigade worked, and candidly admits that but for their efforts he would not have a roof over his head to-day.
Mr. Nicholson was nobly assisted by Mr. J. McCulloch and other friends, pending the arrival of the brigade. The building was badly damaged.
When Miss Duggan returned with the cows she found her house a smouldering mass of ruins and learned of her mother’s fate.
***
Motor Ambulance charges increased
Cr. Alden at last Friday’s Council meeting stated that a few weeks ago a ratepayer of the Centre Riding had occasion to use the Peninsula motor ambulance, the ratepayer being under the impression that it could be obtained free of cost.
Cr. Alden said later on an account of £4/7/6 was received by the ratepayer from the authorities.
On making enquiries he found that 1/3 per mile had been charged, also 5/- per hour for the driver. The ratepayer, continued Cr. Alden, was like the bulk of the people, labouring under difficulties, and if lie had known that the ambulance was going to cost the amount of money charged he possibly would have made other arrangements.
Cr. G. May: Having been elected as your representative to the ambulance committee, I attended a meeting in Mornington last Saturday. The case referred to by Cr. Alden was mentioned and discussed. The Council will remember that the ambulance was a gift from the Wilson Trust fund, and one of the conditions was that anyone could have the use of it when necessary.
In this business we have found there are many who use the ambulance and could afford to pay for it, but they make no effort, and the committee cannot demand payment.
A good deal of the expense is represented in the driver, who is paid at the rate of 5/- per hour. In one case alone we had to pay over £3 for the driver, and the committee obtained no money.
Cr. May went on to say that the best method was to strike a rate, covering running expenses, and collect the money from those who could afford to pay.
Another aspect of the case was that the ambulance was only for stretcher cases and not for those who could be conveyed by other means.
Cr. Oates: It is ridiculous to charge 5/- per hour for a driver.
Cr. May: We hope that with a new schedule of rates the trouble will be overcome.
Cr. J. Unthank said that he had great hopes of the ambulance when it was first commenced, and thought it would be a great boon to the Peninsula, but if the charges were the same as a private car, then there would be little benefit.
Cr Oates: An ambulance that was donated such as this one was should have proved of great benefit to the residents of the Peninsula, but if we have to pay more than what an ordinary car costs, very little benefit is obtained.
These people are on a good thing, concluded Cr. Oates.
Crs. J. Unthank and Alden moved that this Council bring under notice of the ambulance committee the particulars of the case referred to and recommend that the charges be reduced to at least one half. Carried.
Cr. Oates: Does not this Council help to subsidise the ambulance?
Shire Secretary: Yes; £10 per year.
***
Street Not Wanted – Deputation to council
Mr. E. Barrett, on behalf of a number of ratepayers of Denbigh Street, Frankston (who supported him as a deputation) asked the Council on Friday last to receive a petition urging the Council to abandon its decision to construct Denbigh Street.
Cr. Wells: If you have a petition we will accept it, but it must lay on the Council table for one month. If you make it a joint letter we could deal with it at this meeting.
This was agreed.
Mr. Barrett said the ratepayers had decided that they could do without the street at present as the cost was excessive.
Mr Vesper said he owned a house in Yuille Street and he objected strongly to the scheme of allocation.
There were drainage easements running into Denbigh Street and everyone would have to pay. Not one thing had been done during the 15 years he had lived, and a few weeks ago, had it not been for the townspeople, his place, with others, would have been burnt by bush fires.
If Denbigh Street is to be made then all streets abutting should be made also, Mr. Vesper said in conclusion.
Mr. Humphries: I wish to know who proposed the making of this road?
Cr. Wells: By petition of the residents, and then by a majority of the Council.
Mr. Campbell said he was in favour of making the road but cut out the curbing and footpaths. The road was all they required a present.
Mrs. Howie said some years ago a petition was presented to the Council asking that the road be made. There was an accident at the corner of the street, and they decided to have the whole street made if possible.
Mrs. Hogan said the drainage at present ran through her property.
Some of the women living in Denbigh Street were widows, and they had not the good fortune to be married to a councillor. (Laughter).
Kars street is a disgrace, emphasised Mrs. Hogan.
“Do you know that after walking down Kars Street on one occasion, I was charged with stealing Mildura mud.” (Laughter).
Mrs. Hogan said that she would like to see the streets made nearer the town. The time to make Denbigh Street was not ripe.
“Make Kars Street,” concluded Mrs. Hogan.
Mrs. Britt stated she would like the road made and metalled, but was not in favour of the expense of curbing the footpaths.
Mrs. Howie informed the Council that there were only five permanent residents living in Denbigh Street, the other owners were week-enders.
The Shire secretary informed the Council that a number of letters had been received from residents who requested that the street be made.
Mrs. Howie: If the street is made, is there any discount for cash?
(Laughter).
***
Palais Pictures tomorrow night – “Wild Oranges”
King Vidor has made the most realistic fight sequence ever photographed for a motion picture! In Goldwyn’s screen version of Joseph Hergesheimer’s “Wild Oranges,” Vidor staged a real fight between Frank Mayo and Charles A. Post.
***
From the Pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 12 March 1926