Compiled by Cameron McCullough
THREE men were detained, and goods and a motor car seized by police in a raid of a house in Murcott street, Carrum, at 7am last Saturday.
The goods included a cabinet gramophone and records, cutlery, crockery, tools, groceries, tins of petrol and lubricating oil, a bag of clothing, tinned fish, a box of tea, a mop, a hose, and other articles, which it is alleged are the proceeds of extensive shopbreaking.
In the yard at the rear of the house Lyons found a Master Six Buick car, No. 67,553. Inquiries later revealed that this car was the property of Mr. T. Darcey; licensee of the International Hotel, Latrobe street, City, and had been stolen from in front of the hotel between 6 and 7.30 on Friday night.
The men asked leave to light a fire to make a cup of tea before they were taken away. Just as the kettle was about to boil three explosions occurred. These were followed by three more explosions.
Plainclothes Constable Lacey obtained a piece of wire and in the flue at the back of the fireplace found a revolver which had been loaded in six chambers. The heat of the fire had caused the cartridges to explode.
The raid was carried out with the co-operation of Constable Feehan, of Carrum, who had had the house under surveillance. It is stated they rented the house furnished for 30/- a week. They had been living there only a few weeks. In the house was a girl.
Two of the three men who were detained, the police allege, escaped from the police at Prahran in a Dodge motor car which was stolen from Glebe, Sydney, on June 19. The car, which is owned by a Mr. Tuckey, was, it is alleged, driven by six men to Melbourne, and used in effecting numerous robberies in the Gardenvale, Mentone, Aspendale, and Prahran district.
The car is now at police headquarters with the Buick which was stolen on Friday night.
Soon after the arrival of the six men in the Dodge car in Melbourne the Prahran police got suspicious of their movements. Detective Lyons, who was then a plain-clothes man at Prahran, endeavoured to track them down, as it was alleged that the Dodge car had been seen in front of shops which had been robbed.
On Wednesday night last week Senior Plainclothes Constable Arnold and other plain-clothes police raided a house in Oak Lane, Prahran, in which there were six men. Two of the men were arrested and the other four escaped.
Two of the men ran down the lane and the other two jumped into the Dodge car and drove away. They were chased by the police in another car and headed off.
Shots were fired by the police, and the men jumped from the Dodge car while the engine was still running, and the car ran into a fence and was seized by the police.
Numerous charges will probably be laid against the men by the detectives, who are making exhaustive enquiries into their movements. They expect to clear up many cases of shop-breaking, and are also making inquiries into recent “hold-ups” at Richmond.
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THE first case dealt with by Mr. Justice Dixon in the Third Civil Court on Thursday was an action for damages arising out of a motor collision.
Robert Gerrand, of Stanhope Street, Malvern, tile manufacturer, sued William McGarry, estate agent, of Chelsea; claiming £600 damages for injuries and losses sustained as a result of the negligence of defendant in driving a motor car on Point Nepean road on 27th April, 1925.
Plaintiff alleged that by way of defendant’s negligence defendant’s motor car collided with a car driven by plaintiff.
Plaintiff was severely injured and his car was damaged. Special damages claimed included loss of profits medical attention, massage fees and repairs to the car.
Mr. Eager (instructed by Messrs. Cleverdon, Fay and Hayes), who appeared for plaintilff, said that although defendant had delivered a defence, in which he denied negligence and alleged contributory negligence, and had lodged a counter claim against plaintiff in respect of the accident, he had been instructed that defendant no longer intended to defend the case.
The facts were that plaintiff was driving a car at 6.15pm on the evening of 27th April, 1925, along the Point Nepean Road in the direction of Melbourne. He saw a car approaching, which was following a serpentine course. The driver was observed to cross on two occasions from his correct side to his wrong side, and back again.
Plaintiff in consequence was extremely careful. When within a few yards of each other defendant again crossed to the wrong side.
Plaintiff applied his brakes, but a collision occurred. Plaintiff’s injuries included a broken collarbone, and he was incapacitated for some time.
After hearing evidence, his Honor said he was satisfied defendant was guilty of negligence, and entered judgment for plaintiff for £170/2/6, with costs.
Mary Jane Gerrand, wife of the plaintiff in the previous case, who was in the car when the collision occurred, and also sustained severe injuries, was awarded £300 damages.
Judgment was entered for this amount with costs.
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THE many friends and associates of the late Mr. James Marshall will regret to learn of his death which occurred at his residence at Baxter, after a prolonged illness, at 3.30pm on Sunday, 18th July, at the age of 64 years.
The late Mr. Marshall was a well known resident of Baxter, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him.
During recent years he rendered valuable service towards the advancement of the district.
It was through Mr. Marshall’s public-spirited and sportsmanship offer that made it possible for Baxter to possess a public hall.
His excellent example in providing the necessary funds to build the hall had proved a great success, as not only did it serve to make Baxter a popular district on the peninsula, but the most outstanding feature is that at the present day the hall is almost free from debt.
Mr. Marshall was at one time chairman of the hall committee and a trustee, and always took an active interest in the affairs of the district.
It may have been many years before the Baxter residents could have enjoyed the benefit of a public hall, if Mr. Marshall had not come to their aid by way of finance, an act which was appreciated by all residents.
Unfortunately through invalidity, the late Mr. James Marshall had been confined to his home during the last two years and four months. During that period he also took a keen interest in the movements of the district, as many realise, as in the case of Mr. Marshall, “actions speak louder than words,” and his death is considered a loss to the progress of Baxter.
He is survived by his wife and seven children, and one grandchild.
The late Mr. Marshall was a retired businessman, and arrived in Victoria from Great Britain at the age of 17 years, later starting in business at Kyneton, and from there to Yarrawonga. He was a colonist of 47 years.
During the prime of his life he also took a keen interest in politics, and was a gifted platform speaker.
The deepest sympathy is felt throughout the district for his widow and seven children.
Mr. Marshall had resided in the Baxter district for the last 11 years.
The interment took place in the Frankston cemetery on Tuesday afternoon being a largely attended funeral of relatives and many residents of Baxter and the surrounding districts.
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From the Pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 23 July 1926
