Compiled by Cameron McCullough
THE people of Mornington and district have been somewhat perturbed lately by the action of the Foreshore Committee removing the fireplaces which have been erected for a number of years along the foreshores for the convenience of the picnicking visitors.
The custom of having a billy of water boiled at a fire of your own making has deep seated sentiment among Australians, and the imported man or woman soon becomes infected with the prevailing custom.
And when the Foreshore Committee removed these places, and prohibited any fires being lit on the foreshores, they unwittingly furnished the fuel, and the spark, to set alight a blaze of a kind they scarcely expected.
There had been deep rumblings among a section of the people, and dark hints as to the hot time that was in store for the authors and perpetrators of what was dramatically described in some quarters as “this dastardly act”.
To understand the position clearly, it must be borne in mind that the Foreshore Committee consists of six members, three of whom represent the Progress Association, and three from the Shire Council.
The first overt act of the malcontents took shape in the form of a motion, which was carried, at a meeting of the Progress Association, requesting the members of the Foreshore Committee acting for the Progress Association to take such steps as were needful to restore the fireplaces which had been dismantled.
The debate was very keen and there were a number of lively exchanges.
The attack was led by Mr. Butler and Mr. C Griffith, and the defence chiefly lay with Messrs. F. M. Linley and McArthur, both Shire councillors and members of the Progress Association also.
However, the attacking side has carried what may be described as the outer trenches.
The subject proceedings should prove to be interesting.
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Fruit and Vegetable Act – Fruitgrowers prosecuted
At Frankston Police Court on Tuesday , 30th March, before Messrs. Conlon, P.M., Grant, Marsh, Gray and Brown, J.’sP., several growers were proceeded against for breaches of the Fruit and Vegetation Diseases Act.
John Dickle, of Langwarrin, was charged under Section 22 (a) of the Fruit Act with having exposed for sale in Frankston on 3rd February, 1926, potatoes that were topped.
It .was stated in evidence that the top layers of the packages consisted of potatoes that would not pass through a 2.1 inch mesh riddle, while 50 percent of those in bottom layers were smaller, some only being the size of marbles.
Defendant, who did not appear, was fined 20/-.
William Bond, of Pearcedale was presented on a similar charge in respect to tomatoes exposed for sale on 17th February last.
One case of fruit that was examined was found to contain 2½ inch to 3½ inch fruit in the top layer, but half the fruit underneath was under 2½ inch, some being only 1¼ inch in diameter.
A second case of tomatoes had sound fruit on top, while a number in the bottom layers were rotten.
Mrs. Bond stated that she packed the tomatoes and put the small ones in to fill up spaces.
Defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was fined £1.
John William Parker, of Langwarrin, was similarly charged in respect to a case of apples on February 8, 1920. He was also charged with having exposed for sale apples affected with Codlin Moth, contrary to Section 16 of Vegetation Diseases Act, on same date. He pleaded not guilty to both charges.
It was stated the apples on top of one case were 2¼ inch in diameter, while those underneath were only 2 inch. Two other cases were examined were found to contain 21.5 per cent of the fruit affected with Codlin Moth.
Defendant stated in regard to the fruit charge that he put the larger ones on the top to fill up the case.
He was fined 10/- on the first charge and 20/- on the second.
Cornelius Benjamin Creed, of Baxter, pleaded not guilty to a charge of exposing for sale Codlin Moth affected apples in Frankston on 17th February, 1926.
Eight cases were examined and found to contain 28 per cent of the apples affected with Codlin Moth. Defendant was fined £1.
John Henry Currie, of Langwarrin, was also charged with exposing for sale apples and pears affected with Codlin Moth. The offence took place at Frankston on 5th March last when the fruit which was done up in 81b lots, was examined and found to contain 40 per cent affected with Codlin Moth.
Defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was also fined £1.
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A DANCE in aid of the Peninsula Ambulance fund was held in the Balnarring hall on Friday, March 26.
The music, which was supplied by the “Big Six” Jazz Orchestra from Flinders Naval Depot, was excellent, in fact the best that has been heard in the Peninsula for some considerable time.
Great praise is due to this orchestra who voluntarily gave not only their services, but practically organised the whole affair.
The supper, which was excellent, was provided by Mrs. Strain, who was ably assisted by her daughter.
Although the dance was not well advertised a good number turned up, and during the evening Mr. W. Sheldon (secretary of the orchestra) Dutch auctioned a 51b cake made by Mrs. Strain and collected 17/- in a very short space of time.
Toward the close of the evening Mr. Jack,. of the Peninsula Motor Ambulance service, passed a vote of thanks to the orchestra, and in responding, Mr. Sheldon said the “Big Six” were pleased to do whatever lay in their power for charity, and would be pleased at any other time to give their services to any local charities, subject to permission of the C.O. at the Depot.
It is to be hoped that we will hear more of this admirable orchestra in the near future.
Dancing finished at 1am and everyone left feeling well satisfied with their evening’s enjoyment.
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Personal
Mrs. W. G. Wells left for Tasmania on Tuesday last, where she intends spending a month’s holiday.
Mrs Grimwade, wife of Brigadier General Grimwade, performed, the opening of the Frankston Horticultural Society’s Autumn Flower Show, held in the Palais on Friday last.
Today (Thursday, April 1) .the Minister of Land (Mr. Downward) will celebrate the 79th anniversary of his birth. He is the oldest member in the Legislative Assembly, having represented Mornington for 32 years.
He has been a member of three Governments, Bent Ministry (1908-9), Bowser Ministry (1917-18) and the present Ministry since its formation in November, 1924.
On Tuesday, 30th March, the death took place at “Maxwelton” private hospital, Frankston, of Miss Margaret Elliott. Deceased, who resided on her property off Cranbourne Road was well known locally and highly respected.
She was a prominent member of the Frankston Presbyterian church and played an important part in securing the erection of the church in Frankston.
Miss Elliott was the daughter of, the late Mr. Michael Elliott, at one time manager of the Bank of Australasia at Ballarat.
The funeral took place on Wednesday, the remains being interred in the Frankston cemetery.
The Prime Minister (Hon. S. M. Bruce) returned from Sydney today (Thursday) and is spending the Easter holidays at his Frankston home.
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From the Pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 1 April 1926
