EMPIRE Day was celebrated locally on Friday when the children were given a right royal time.
For weeks they had been looking forward to this day as their elders each year make it an occasion for merry making and also a time to instill patriotic sentiments into the young minds.
The Baxter school children joined with Somerville and together they marched to the Mechanics’ Hall where Empire Day speeches were delivered by Messrs C. Murray W. Carroll, G. Shepherd and S. Uren and patriotic songs were sung by the children.
At the conclusion of the program the Union Jack was saluted and then an adjournment was made’ to the Horticultural Hall where the ladies had loaded the tables with various kinds of delicacies. What a sight those long tables presented!
The children and adults soon showed their appreciation of the good things provided by keeping a small army of waitresses busy replenishing the plates.
Luncheon over, Messrs Carroll and Uren moved a vote of thanks to all who had helped to make the gathering a success, and especially to the ladies for the great amount of trouble they had taken over the matter.
This was carried by acclamation, the children singing. “For they are jolly good ladies.”
The children afterwards marched to the park where the sports program was carried out.
Great excitement was created in events where one school competed against the other as in Chase Ball, Flag Races etc.
At 4.30pm a return was made to the hall where tea was served after which the children dispersed feeling that they had had a most enjoyable day and the grown ups vended their several ways, homeward and happy in the thought that they had assisted in making the lives of the little ones the brighter for that day at least.
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Seaford Progress Association
VANDALISM
Mr. Wilshire complained that four ti-trees growing near his residence had been willfully cut down during the night.
He had given considerable attention to the trees, and they were an ornament to the road.
He immediately informed the police of the act of vandalism, but it was difficult to trace the offenders in such cases.
The president said he was glad Mr Wilshire had mentioned the matter. The association might not be able to do anything in the case under notice, but it could perhaps prevent similar acts.
Mr. Wilshire said he would be willing to offer a reward for the conviction of the offenders.
Mr. Brown moved, and Major Cowper seconded, that the association offer a reward of £5 for the conviction of the offender. – Carried.
It was also decided, on the motion of Messrs. Brown and Cotton, that the notice of reward be advertised in the “Standard.”
Mr. McCulloch: Who keeps the wood yard around here? Perhaps the owner would contribute £1 towards the reward. (Laughter.)
HERMIT’S CAMP
Mr. Armstrong said an inspection had been made of the camp, as arranged. It was in a very dilapidated condition, and he did not think the association could do any thing.
Mr. Hunter said if action had been taken when the association first approached the Council, the camp could have been preserved.
The stringent condition imposed by the Council prevented, the association from attending to the place.
Mr. Moffatt moved that the Council be asked to grant permission to remove the hut. At present it only offered an inducement for tramps to shelter there.
Mr. Hunter seconded.
Mr. McCulloch thought the motion was a lazy man’s way of getting over a difficulty. The Hermit’s Camp was a landmark which, in its time, had attracted thousands of visitors. He would like to see something done to preserve it.
Mr. Matarana: Did the camp ever have any sterling value?
Mr. McCulloch: No.
Mr. Matarana: Who was the hermit, anyhow? Did he ever do anything that we should trouble about preserving his late domicile?
(Laughter.)
Mr. McCulloch: His name was Captain Maddox, I believe. I know nothing about him, but I do know that the camp was an attraction to visitors, and was spoken of all over the State.
Mr. Brown said if put into repair a caretaker would be wanted.
Mr. Neil: Put up a “To Let” notice (Laughter.)
Mr. Martin was in favour of allowing the camp to remain as at present, and he moved an amendment to that effect.
Mr. Klauer seconded the motion, and it was carried.
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ALL persons in possession of raffle books, in connection with the Anzac Appeal are request to return same to the treasurer, Mr A. Wilcox, not later than 3rd June.
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THE Secretaries of the Frankston Peace Celebrations Committee acknowledge the receipt of the following additional donations.
Dr Plowman, £1 1s; Mr G. B Booth £1 1s; Mr W. William “Rupertstan” £1 1s.
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MRS Pownell, represented the Frankston branch of the A.W.N. League at Dandenong on Tuesday 20th inst. when delegates from the Australian Women’s National League and the National Federal branches in the South-Eastern Province met to select a candidate to stand in the National interests.
Nominations had been received from Mr F. Hagelthorn, M.L.C. and Cr Francis, and both were present.
Councillor Francis, however, declined to retire from the contest if he were not selected, and consequently the convention declared in favor of Mr Hagelthorn.
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Heard in the Train.
That Lord Jellicoe will be passing through Frankston on the 4th June, on his way to inspect the Naval Base.
That if Frankston possessed a bowling green many additional visitors would spend their holidays at the premier seaside resort.
That the pastime is highly popular with both old and young and it should not be a difficult matter to form a bowling club and arrange for a green to be laid down straight away.
That a good bowling green is one of the best advertisements any town catering for visitors can possess.
That the Seaford Progress Association is well satisfied with its work in securing a sub division of the North Riding.
That the S.P.A. is one of the few live associations of its kind on the Peninsula.
That Cr Oates was favorably impressed by his visit to the S.P.A. meeting on Saturday night last.
That he was so interested in the proceedings that he missed his train and had to work from home.
That it is not characteristic of Cr Oates to “miss the bus”. For a public man with many engagements he is a model of punctuality and reliability.
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G. DARCY, (Late A.I.F) BEGS to notify the public of Frankston and district that he has commenced business as a Fruiterer and Greengrocer in PLAYNE STREET, FRANKSTON, and is prepared to supply FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUIT DAILY.
Van Calls on Customers Twiceweekly.
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FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 31 May 1919
First published in the Mornington News – 28 May 2019
