To the Editor
Sir,
Your article on the above matter in your issue of 6th inst. might have been ignored as beneath notice if it had not contained statements some of which were untrue and others very unfair comment.
You infer that the stoppage of the work on the Friday night referred to might have been obviated if we had taken the trouble to order coal in time.
Every effort was made to obtain the coal, but it was refused by the Coal Board.
A further request was made on the preceding Wednesday, and again refused, and the writer left for Frankston that afternoon to arrange for due notice of the impending stoppage of the works.
On his arrival there a phone message came through, advising that the Coal Board had reconsidered the company’s request, and intended issuing an order for a truck of coal.
This order was not available until Thursday, and by the time the coal could be carted from yards and loaded it was Friday before the truck could be despatched.
The Railway Department gave special attention, and hurried the truck through, but it was midday on the Saturday before it reached Frankston.
Our staff did all possible to meet the situation, and gas was available in the afternoon for cooking and lighting, but there was not a sufficient quantity to enable the gas engines of the electric plant to be started, hence the position at the Mechanics’ Hall, to which you refer.
Perhaps recent happenings and metropolitian newspaper reports will show you and others that the coal position was very acute three weeks ago, and is still worse to-day.
It should be borne in mind that a coal which will do for steaming and household purposes may be quite unsuitable for gas-making.
With the exception of a period of about two hours during the recent seamen’s strike, there has been no stoppage of a gas output during the whole period of the company’s ownership of the works.
In regard to your complaint of not being properly advised of the stoppage, one of our staff called at your place amongst others, but he found no one on the premises.
One of your staff, however, was advised of the position on the Thursday.
You have, therefore, no reason to complain of exceptional treatment.
Reference is made to purifying the gas.
For your information, this matter has been under consideration for some time past, but the difficulty has been to make the connections without a stoppage of the gas supply.
The present stoppage affords the opportunity of adding another purifier if we can secure a sufficient supply of cement, which like many other things, is a very scarce commodity at present.
Every effort will be made to install the purifier during the enforced stoppage.
In conclusion, let me add that running a gas and electric light works is no easy proposition under existing circumstances, especially when it is remembered that during the past twelve months there have been, about six months of shipping strikes, with all their disturbing influences – as only those engaged in running plants or manufacturing can adequately appreciate.
All credit is due to our staff for the way they have worked under most trying conditions.
Yours faithfully,
JOHN DITCHBURN.
Managing Director.
Melbourne, February 18, 1920.
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LAST Saturday the town was gay with bunting in honor of the return of Corporal Bray, of Petrie Street, after several years’ active service abroad.
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A NUMBER of interesting items dealt with by the Frankston Progress Association at its meeting held on Tuesday last will be given space in next week’s “Standard.”
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FRANKSTON is entering on its third week minus a light supply. In the meanwhile the Gas Company’s representative spills good ink in a futile endeavor to justify his position.
Can he name another town in Victoria that was deprived of its lighting facilities during the strike just ended?
Frankston’s hope lies Melbourneward.
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WEDNESDAY nights in Frankston are now vested with special interest, and large crowds gather weekly to witness pictures screened under the able management of the lessee, Mr W. L. Hooper.
The increasing attendances is sufficient proof of the excellence of the entertainment offered.
Next Wednesday night the two big star features are “Fighting for Gold,” with Tom Mix in the chief role, and “The Suppressed Order” said to be a really capital drama.
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MRS Dalman, secretary, desires to acknowledge a donation of £1 1s from Dr. Maxwell, to the funds of the Frankston Tennis Club.
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MISS Nellie Thomson, milliner and draper, of Young Street, who is about to visit Queensland, where her relatives reside, desires it to be known that her business establishment will be closed from the 2nd till 27th March.
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THE Gloria Light comes to Frankston with an Australasian record, and harassed householders will welcome it as a reliable and economical illuminant. Messrs G E Rogers and Son are the local agents, and the light is to be seen at their establishment in Playne Street.
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MR A. T. Walters announces in another column that he has purchased the baking and catering business of Messrs Burton and Law, Frankston.
Mr Walters comes from the flourishing town of Leongatha, where he resided for seven years.
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LADIES of Frankston and district will welcome, the announcement that Mr R. A. Innes, practical mechanic, is available to repair sewing machines, etc.
Full particulars appear in advertisement.
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ON the occasion of last week’s visit the Governor-General’s Party was met at the Frankston railway station by cars from the Peninsula Motor Garage.
Despite the extremely sandy nature of the unmade roads the two powerful Buicks accomplished their task in fine style under the skillful management of the Company’s expert chauffeurs greatly to the astonishment and delight of His Excellency.
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THE building at Somerville known as the old school, has just been removed. The dismantling of this old landmark, erected in the early sixties revived memories of happy school-boy days in the minds of more than one of our old residents.
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THE members of the Frankston Branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. intend entertaining the members of the Mornington Racing Club at the Mechanics’ Hall to-morrow evening, when Mr Herbert Downward will submit a financial statement to the Memorial Committee in connection with the recent benefit race meeting.
A cheque for £200 on account has already been received by Mr A. G. Wilcox, president of the local branch and when the final settlement is made it is expected that the amount raised for the Frankston fund will exceed £300.
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FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 27 February 1920
First published in the Mornington News – 3 March 2020
