THE death of Lynella Jane Nichol – the six-year-old daughter of Mrs. L. Nichol, of Royal Parade, Royal Park – who was knocked and down and killed by a motor car at Frankston on 22nd November, 1919, was the subject of an inquiry by the City Coroner (Dr R. H. Cole) at the Morgue.
Thos. Edwin Barnett, importer, of High Street, Kew in the course of his evidence, stated that on 22nd November he drove his wife, his brother, and several friends to the Fernery at Frankston, arriving there about 4.30 pm, and driving slowly all the time.
Sounding the horn attached to the car, he turned towards a rank of cars on a lawn beside the road, but within three yards of the point at which he intended to stop he saw a woman almost on his mudguard.
As he put on the brake he heard a scream. He stopped, and found the injured child in its mother’s arms.
He could not account for not seeing the child earlier, unless it was because he had been so very careful in avoiding other traffic in the locality.
He had been driving for about two months.
Passengers in the car supported Barnett’s story.
Other witnesses expressed the opinion that the car was travelling at from ten to fourteen miles per hour, and suggested that he had not good control of the car.
Dr. Cole said he could not understand Barnett’s failure to observe the child until he was almost upon it.
He thought the case was one for a jury.
The Coroner found that deceased had been killed by a motor car, which was being driven in a negligent manner by Thomas Edwin Barnett, and he committed Barnett for trial at the Supreme Court on a charge of manslaughter.
Bail was allowed in his own surety, and another for £250.
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CAPTAIN Jonkins and the Rev E. Tonkin will preach at the Frankston Methodist Church morning and evening respectively on Sunday next.
On the same day the new Church at Langwarrin will have its first Sunday services.
Rev. J. Thomas, B. A. will officiate in the afternoon and Captain Jenkins in the evening.
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LAST week we recorded the successful sale of allotments in the Denby Estate by Messrs Brody and Mason, in conjunction with Mr J. Nott Marsh, when every lot was readily purchased at satisfactory prices.
The demand for land anywhere within the town boundary appears to be keener than ever, a condition not likely to abate with the nearer approach of improved facilities in the matter of electrified railway service and installation of water supply.
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HIS Grace the Archbishop of Melbourne will lay the foundation stone of the new Anglican church being erected at Bittern on Saturday next at 11.30am.
The edifice is being erected in memory of the fallen sailors and soldiers.
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A SOCIAL in aid of the “Welcome Home” Orchestra will be held in the Frankston Hall on Friday 30th inst.
The public will be glad of the opportunity of affording recognition of the valuable services rendered by the orchestra, and a large gathering may be expected.
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TOMORROW, at 3pm., an auction sale of six building sites on the main Hastings road, near the Frankston Cordial Factory, will take place.
The auctioneers are Messrs. Traill and Wallis.
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MESSRS. Brody and Mason will on Saturday (tomorrow), on the property offer for sale a substantial brick villa standing on over two acres of land. Also ten fine building allotments in the estate of the late Henry Scarborough.
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THE Frankston Methodist Church held its anniversary, services on Sunday last, and attracted very large congregations.
The Rev. W. H. Scurr, of North Melbourne, preached in the morning, and at evening, and Captain Jenkins conducted the afternoon celebration.
The choir, under the conductorship of Mr. J. Austin, rendered special singing and the solo items were much appreciated.
On Monday night the concert entertainment attracted a large attendance.
The chair, was occupied by Rev. E. Tonkin, and the varied programme submitted was greatly appreciated.
During the evening Capt. Jenkins gave an interesting address dealing principally with his work amongst the boys and this special branch of the Church’s mission.
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FIGURES showing the number of dealing in land through the Titles Office for the year 1919 were made available on Tuesday.
During the year 82,692 application under the Transfer of Land Act were lodged for registration, being an increase of 18,856 over the previous year, and creating a record.
Not since 1888, the year of the land boom, when the dealings numbered 69.370, has there been such a large number of property transactions.
The revenue was £78,492, as compared with £63.071 in 1918.
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AN impression seems to have got abroad that the duck season this year will open on 1st February.
This is altogether wrong.
The opening date is the same as last year, viz., the 15th February. but as the 15th happens to be a Sunday, the opening will be on the 16th.
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THE increased rate of five shillings per fortnight, irrespective of what they have been drawing in the past, was paid last week to old-age pensioners for the first time.
No doubt the increase will be greatly appreciated by the old people.
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Heard in the Train
The Frankston school will re-open next Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock.
Frankston Show committee will meet on Wednesday, 28th inst at 8 o’clock.
Tyabb cricketers sensational win against Somerville on Saturday last.
Several local councillors are very anxious to assist at the races in aid of the Frankston Soldiers’ Memorial Fund, to be held at Mornington on Thursday, 5th February.
As council meeting falls on the same day, councillors are hoping that a punctual start with municipal business will enable them to take their departure for the sporting field shortly after the lunch adjournment.
Lady supporters of the Soldiers’ race meeting are pushing the sale of members tickets energetically, with highly gratifying results.
Frankston brass band has kindly consented to place it services at the disposal of the Soldiers’ Committee on race day.
Owners are reminded that entries for the race meeting close on Tuesday 27th inst.
Langwarrin social, in connection with the tennis club, has been postponed till 31st inst.
Important business is listed for the monthly meeting of the Frankston Progress Association to be held on Saturday evening next.
Bush fires at Langwarrin the other day gave Mr Adderly’s premises a close call and serious damage was only averted by the prompt assistance rendered by the roadmen and others.
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FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 23 January 1920
First published in the Mornington News – 28 January 2020
