Compiled by Cameron McCullough
THE War. At the last meeting of the Frankston and Hastings shire council, the acting president (Cr Plowman) on the suggestion of Cr Ritchie, spoke with reference to the great crisis in Europe.
He said most people recognised the extreme gravity of the situation. The crisis was most grave, and at the present juncture one did not know what might occur.
In land battles there could be some sort of prediction, and if a serious disaster occurred to the British fleet, we may have war at our very doors.
It behoved them all to be resolute, but not vainglorious. To do their duties as usual, but to feel down in their hearts that if the country called them in any capacity whatsoever, they would respond to the call, and undergo any sacrifice in the interest and defence of their country. (Applause).
He himself was, perhaps, too old to go on active service, but all should do their up most to defend our glorious heritage, Australia Felix, and if war came near, they should prepare themselves to assist their country.
He felt his words were halting and inadequate, but they were from the soul.
No matter what the issue, they would undergo any sacrifice to give a helping hand.
He deplored the horrible necessity of war but he felt that in this instance it was a case of necessity.
Unless Britain had acted as it did, there would no longer be any strength in, or respect of, treaties, and if a nation sacrifices her honour as a nation, then every individual in that nation must also have a lower standard of honour.
They should give their fullest support to Australia Felix and the Mother Country, who has borne the enormous burden of Empire until recently with practically no assistance. (Applause).
Cr Keast said that a most pleasing feature was the fact that their brothers in Ireland, who lately had been trying to get at one another’s throats, had I now sunk their differences, and stand side by side to help the Mother Country.
All present then joined in, singing the National Anthem.
***
OWING to pressure on our space we have been compelled to hold over till next issue the report of political meeting, a letter giving the views of a Melbourne visitor on last Saturday’s football match, notes from several correspondents, and other interesting items.
***
MISS Pearl Smith will recite at the Frankston Choral Concert.
***
MISS Eva Young, fra’ Glasga’, humorous reciter is awfu’ Scotch, and will recite “ Wee Tamie Patterson” at the Frankston Choral Concert.
***
THE quality of the work done by Mr Earp is proved by the fact that the Festival Choir sing ‘Hiawatha’ in the Melbourne Town Hall on Monday evening, and the Frankston Choral Society sing ‘Hiawatha, at the Mechanics’ on Wednesday next.
***
IN spite of his heavy burden of 11s, 1lb, Zephuron ran a splendid race over the long journey of four miles in the Australian Steeple chase of 1750 sovs at Caulfield on Saturday last.
The jockey (A. Hawkins) who was substituted for J. P. Edwards, Zephuron’s usual pilot, made a vain effort to hold the chestnut back to his field in the early stages of the race, and possibly the gelding fighting so desperately for his head cost him the race, for jumping magnificently (according to the city papers) Zephuron led from barrier rise to within 500 yards of the winning post.
At this point Zephuron was caught by Guncap, and although the gelding responded gamely to the calls of his rider, the weight told, and he could get no nearer than third, which carried 150 sovs as prize money.
***
AFTER the ordinary business had been concluded at the last meeting of the Frankston and Hastings shire council, Cr Hodgins, who has held the position of president for the past term, handed in his resignation, which was necessary owing to his departure from the district for Tynong.
In doing so Cr Hodgins thanked the Councillors for the support they had given him while president. He assured them that it was a hard wrench, not so much at leaving the work, but because he was leaving the Councillors.
They had sat there for years, and he did not think they had a squabble. There had been a few mild hints, but nothing serious.
He had accepted an engagement in a town too far away to allow him to attend to his duties as a Councillor, and he felt that when any councillor found that he could not give enough time to council matters he should resign. He was sorry that Crs Griffeth and Murray were not present, so that he could say goodbye to them, and he hoped Cr Griffeth would soon be strong again. He hoped they would all meet again, and if ever at Tynong, they could be sure of a most hearty welcome. Cr Hodgins then left his seat, which was taken by Cr Plowman. Cr Plowman moved that the resignation be accepted with the greatest possible regret.
Cr Hodgins had been a Councillor who had attended to his duties in an exemplary way, and as a novice, practically, in council matters, he could speak as others could not of the help he had received from their worthy president of the past year.
He deplored his loss as a Councillor, and hoped he would be successful in the future.
Cr Keast said he seconded the motion most regretfully. Cr Hodgins had been the best president he had ever sat under – the only one (laughter).
Cr Alden said that he was perfectly sure that he did not get on any other way but first rate with Cr Hodgins. He hoped that his new business would prove satisfactory, and that Mr and Mrs Hodgins would enjoy the best of health and success.
Cr Ritchie said that no Councillor could feel more regret than he did at losing Cr Hodgins.
Cr Turner, who referred to the retiring president as “the father of the Council,” regretted his departure. He wished him the best of success at Tynong “among the tall trees and wombats.”
***
IN Memoriam of Margaret Tuck.
Died 14th August, 1910.
Although we are parted, Maggie, Only for a while,
I feel your absence sadly,
and miss your winsome smile.
Oft in fancy do I wander,
As we did long years ago,
And hold our evening tryst
Where the sweetest blossoms blow.
How changed is that familiar spot,
The place I’d scarcely know.
No golden wattle blooms
In the evening’s sunlight’s glow.
The gum trees snowy blossoms
no more their fragrance shed,
The indigo and native broom,
alas, like you, are dead.
Our hearts would surely break,
In parting with those we love,
but for the dew of mercy
God is showering from above.
I am only lingering here,
awaiting his command,
Then Maggie I’ll be with you,
Away in Spirit land.
–H. TUCK.
From the pages of the Mornington Standard, 15 August 1914.
