TRAGIC results followed the wandering of two little twin boys, Bertie and Jackie Guy, aged 4½ years, from Frankston on Wednesday.
The sons of Mr and Mrs A. Guy, of Berry Street, Richmond, they had been on a visit to their uncle, Mr Ahrens and his wife at Frankston.
The children had recently been patients at the Infectious Disease Hospital at Fairfield.
During Wednesday afternoon they were missed from their uncle’s house.
A search in the neighborhood proved unsuccessful, and at 5.30pm police aid was sought.
The fire bell was rung, and the greater part of the male population of Frankston formed into search parties, which, led by Senr. Constable Bray and Constable Dyball, set out in all directions.
All through the night which was bitterly cold and wet, the search continued, men going for miles out into the country, but without success.
At day-break fresh parties took up the work, and the search continued until at 2pm Mr J. Bradbury, with a party of volunteers on a motor lorry, found one of the children lying prostrate on the side of a roadway 2½ miles out of the town.
The child was in a very low state from exposure of the cold, driving winds and sleety showers of the previous night, which was said to have been the worst of the season.
The second little child was found lying dead near some bushes a short distance away.
No time was lost in taking the surviving child to St Pancras Hospital, where, under the treatment of Dr. Maxwell and Nurse Campbell, he is recovering from the effects of the terrible night’s exposure.
Good work was done by members of the Fire Brigade, in common with many others. Captain Petrie desires all who were supplied with torches to return same to him.
A gallant band of ladies supplied refreshments to the searchers at the Fire Station during the night.
The funeral will take place tomorrow (Saturday), leaving Mr Ahrens’ residence, Frankston, at 3 o’clock for Frankston cemetery.
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LETTER to the editor
Sir,
Arising out of the distressing tragedy which occurred in our midst this week, I have been approached by numerous citizens who are desirous of showing practical sympathy with the bereaved parents.
Subscription lists are now open, and are lodged with Cr. Oates, and Cr. Wells, and will you, Sir, kindly open your columns for the receipt of amounts, which may be also left at my office.
W. P. MASON, Shire President.
(“The Standard” will gladly receive and acknowledge amounts. – Ed.)
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THE Shire Council take over the electric light concern from the Frankston Company next Monday.
More concern than light, judging by recent experience.
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THE annual municipal elections will be held on Thursday, 25th August.
Candidates must be nominated not later than Thursday, August 11th.
It is time some move was made by the ratepayers to see that the vacancies in this shire are satisfactorily provided for.
It is understood that all retiring councillors, with the exception of Cr. Griffeth (Centre Riding), intend seeking reelection. Mr Joseph Unthank has been mentioned as his successor.
Cr H. E. Unthank retires in the East Riding, while Cr. Howell announces his intention of again offering his services to Seaford ratepayers. If he is to have opposition the fact has not been definitely announced, but it is known that Mr H. J. McCulloch’s friends are urging him to come forward.
The creation of the new Mount Eliza riding necessitates all three sitting councillors in the Frankston Riding going to the poll. For the three vacancies in the Mount Eliza Riding only two candidates can at present be definitely named, viz.. Mr George May, the well known orchardist, and Mr Chas Gray, J.P., late Commissioner for Fair Prices, of William Street, Frankston.
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THE concert and dance held at the Mt. Eliza Post Office Tea Rooms last Friday night was a great success.
Captain Davies generously placed his spacious apartments at the disposal of the numerous guests, and, with Mrs Davies, entertained over 100 visitors in right royal fashion.
The genial host presented the gross proceeds to the committee of the hall building fund.
A bright and varied programme interspersed the dancing, which was directed by Mr C. Wood to music supplied by the Frankston orchestra.
Songs were rendered by Misses Stephens, Mitchell, Lila Baldrin, and Messrs Thomas, Barney Bradford, D. Dodd, Kennedy (Melbourne) and Brean; recitation, Miss Bell. A ‘cello solo by Mr Goodman was encored.
Cr Stephens thanked Captain and Mrs Davies for providing such a splendid entertainment at their own cost for the benefit of the new hall, and his remarks were endorsed by the hall secretary, Mr Alf Davey.
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AS the outcome of the combined deputation from the Frankston Shire Council and the Seaford Progress Association, which waited on the Minister for Forests on the 18th ult., representatives of the Forests Commission, the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and the Public Works Department visited the Seaford Pine Plantation on Thursday, July 21st, to investigate the complaint made by the deputation that considerable damage was done to farms on the low lying country, upon which the plantation drainage had been concentrated.
The party was joined by Mr Sambell, the shire engineer, and was met at the plantation by Crs Latham, Howell and Armstrong, and Messrs Martin, Stewart, Macnamara and Klauer.
After inspecting the country, Mr Horsfield, one of the visiting officers, said no doubt the considerable volume of drainage which came from the plantation would do considerable damage when simply allowed to find its own course, and the Government would doubtless assist in alleviating the trouble.
He said the Narre Warren Progress Association had been agitating to have a drainage system carried out in their district, and upon an investigation of the levels, it seemed quite possible that a combined drainage scheme could be carried out which would trap water from reaching the Carrum and Seaford lowlands.
He also said it would be quite practicable to combine this scheme with the Kananook Creek improvement scheme, because water could be dropped into the creek from perhaps, 6ft. above tides, thus ensuring a thorough scour.
The further improvement of creek would consist of dredge grading from the inflow of this water, somewhere near present pipe culvert at Martin’s to Carrum and Frankston outlets.
A new outlet would be made at Carrum and Mr Horsfield explained that the flow would be under a proper system of control, and the Government would contribute liberally to the scheme.
The whole of those deriving benefit would be loaded with the cost, including residents along the creek at Seaford and Frankston.
Mr Horsfield was assured by those present that his scheme seemed to provide the solution of two very great difficulties and expressed the hope that the preliminary survey would be proceeded with immediately.
Mr Horsfield said he would report to his Department, and more will be heard of the matter at an early date.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 29 July 1921
First published in the Mornington News – 3 August 2021
