Compiled by Cameron McCullough
Quite a gloom has pervaded Seaford during the last few days, caused by the disappearance of Mr. Mealmaker, a well-known visitor to the township.
Mr. Mealmaker has spent practically every weekend at Seaford for some time past, and sometimes stayed for extended periods with Mr. and Mrs. Jones, who reside in the township.
On Tuesday morning he set out in the best of spirits for a bathe in the surf. Mr. Jones’ dog accompanied him.
Some visitors from Melbourne, noticing his clothes on the sand, and seeing no sign of a bather, became uneasy and an alarm was raised.
This was about midday on Tuesday, and up to the present no trace can be found of the unfortunate bather.
The case presents some peculiar points which are causing a good deal of discussion.
The visitors who first noticed the clothes on the beach could find no trace of foot-prints on the sand between the clothes and the beach.
This led to the belief that he had been taken ill or for some other reason had turned into the thick ti-tree which lines the shore.
A search in this direction, however, revealed nothing.
Mrs. Jones, who refuses to believe the worst, contends that a sudden lapse of memory, or some such unexplainable event, caused him to turn away from the water and wander away.
This is not, of course, feasible, as it would be practically impossible for anyone to leave the beach and cross the road anywhere in the locality without being seen, especially as he was attired only in his bathing costume.
Mr. Jones, when interviewed, was not so optimistic. He pointed out that the dog, which still mounted guard over the clothes until they were removed, would assuredly have followed him had he turned from the beach.
On Wednesday, the Carrum and Frankston police patrolled the beach from Carrum to Frankston, but no trace of the body was found.
This in itself is remarkable, as the missing man was an indifferent swimmer, and if he was drowned the tragedy must have occurred close inshore, and as there was a fairly heavy sea running at the time it is more than probable that the body would come ashore at once.
There have been very few drowning fatalities along this beach, which is regarded as a remarkably safe one for bathers, and in the few cases where drowning has occurred the bodies have been recovered.
With the strong winds which have prevailed during the week, it seems impossible that a body would be carried out by tide or current.
The police and residents are keeping a sharp watch on the beach, and it is hoped that the seeming mystery will be cleared up in a day or two.
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Accident to student
A painful accident befell John Nicholls, son of Mr. Nicholls, headmaster of Pearcedale State school, whilst competing in the High school sports on Wednesday.
Master Nicholls, when running in the relay race by some means wrenched the muscles of his thigh.
Dr. C. Maxwell who attended him, was unable to definitely define the trouble, but is of the opinion that the muscle has been torn from the thigh bone and that a small portion of the bone has come away with it.
An X-ray examination is to be made to determine the extent and nature of the injury.
Master Nicholls is at present at the home of Mr. Bishop, headmaster of the local high school.
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Wake Up Frankston! Boosters’ Club Formed
The meeting called for Tuesday evening for the purpose of forming a Boosters’ Club was well attended.
Enthusiasm was the keynote of the proceedings, and within a few minutes of opening the meeting a motion to the effect that a Boosters’ Club be formed had been submitted and carried, the membership fee fixed at 2/6 per annum, and close on twenty members enrolled.
On the motion of Cr. Pratt and Mr. Marshall, Mr. Rogan was, elected president. The election, of officers then proceeded and resulted as follow: Vice-president, Cr. J. L. Pratt; secretary, Mr. C. Parnell; treasurer, Mr. C. Meredith.
The president, Mr. Rogan, who has just returned from a tour of Western America was the prime mover in instituting the formation of the club.
Wherever Mr. Rogan travelled he took note of the American methods of advertising their centres, and collected some 200 folders and booklets issued by the various towns.
Many of these folders were handed around and excited considerable interest.
Mr. Rogan pointed out that many of the American towns where big things had been accomplished, had not anything like the natural advantages which Frankston possesses.
In support of the impressions he had gained in his travels, Mr. Rogan read a clipping from the “Herald” which gave the opinions of a recent visitor to Australia.
The visitor had said that Australia needs more boost.
He had previously known practically nothing of our country and it was only through having been ordered a long sea voyage that he had come to Australia. He was surprised at our splendid tourist attractions.
California had placed itself on the map through advertising, and yet we, who had the same or even better facilities for all-the-year-round tourist attractions did little or nothing to let the world know about them.
The object of the new club is to advertise Frankston throughout the length and breadth of the state, and further afield if possible.
This can be done, and the club intends to do it. There is no doubt that the money expended in advertising our township will come back to us threefold if we will only resolve to carry the thing through.
A suggestion was made that the various associations at present operating on similar lines should be merged into one big organisation.
Mr. Jewell said that there was a possibility of lukewarm support to the club, owing to too many associations for the betterment of the town, being formed.
Mr. Pope supported this view. He said that there were so many meetings to attend that it was impossible to keep in touch with them all.
In addition to this, there was a good deal of overlapping in the objects of the associations.
Naturally, very little concrete business could be done on the first night, and most of the evening was devoted to the receiving and recording of suggestions which can be worked upon at the next meeting.
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Personal
The many friends of Mrs. J. Nott Marsh will be pleased to learn that she is recovering from her recent serious operation, and is leaving the Women’s Hospital this week, although she will not return home for some little time.
Constable Addison, who was formerly stationed at Frankston, has received notice of his transfer from Myrtleford to Belgrave.
Mr. and Mrs. P. Wheeler, who have been absent for some time on a trip to England, returned to Melbourne on the s.s. “Themistocles” on Wednesday.
Mrs. J. D. Jennings is expected to return to Frankston in the early part of next week. Mrs. Jennings has been absent in England for nearly three years, and will no doubt notice a marked change in the township on her return.
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From the Pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 29 October 1926
