SOMETHING of a sensation was caused in the town of Somerville on Tuesday morning, when it was discovered that burglars had visited two of the local places of business during the early hours of the morning.
Mr George Keast was awakened at about two o’clock by the noise of someone endeavoring to open the back door leading into his shop.
Finding that someone was on the premises, the burglars decamped, Mr Keast hearing the fast trot of a pony on the road towards Frankston.
It was then discovered that the thieves had previously paid a visit to Westaway’s News Agency, gaining access by breaking a window at the rear of the premises, and getting away with a quantity of cigars, tobacco, etc, to the value of £20.
The till, which fortunately contained only coppers, was emptied – but it is thought the thieves must have been disturbed, as a lot of valuable stock was left untouched.
***
CAN nothing be done to secure in future a reasonably fair sideway when roads are undergoing repairs?
I refer particularly to the bad state of things recently existing on the Point Nepean Road, near Mount Eliza.
It was positively dangerous to pass along the section when it was in the hands of the contractor.
It would appear that the trouble arises in all such cases from the practice of breaking up and dealing with too great a stretch of road at the one time.
There are patches of ploughed road, then patches of rough metal, then a patch of rolled metal, and then another patch of ploughed road.
Why don’t the contractors tackle a short section at a time, finish it off, and then go on with another short section?
If this were done there would be the minimum of inconvenience and danger. It may appear to be ungracious to complain in view of the splendid prospect which the improvement of the much used Point Nepean Road opens, but the Country Roads Board authorities might well insist upon more consideration being shown for the motor traffic.”
***
“THE Argus” has been complaining about the failure of contractors undertaking the construction of main roads to keep the thoroughfare open to traffic with passable side tracks.
It is alleged that during the last week in September, at a point midway between Frankston and Mornington, 27 cars were bogged in two days, and the owners were compelled to pay £1 each to get pulled out of the bog !
“It is almost a case of blackmailing,” says the report, “and the Country Roads Board officials, or those in charge of our shire engineering works, should see that there is no such extortion practised.”
***
MR A. E. Lasslett, manager of the State Savings Bank, Frankston, left today on a fishing expedition to the Snowy River.
He will return on Nov. 4th. Mr Haley is relieving officer.
***
MRS Barclay returned to “Osborne” for a few days during the week, but has since returned to Geelong.
***
ATTENTION is directed the advt on the front page, in reference to the sale at “Cora Lynn,” Lewis Street, next Friday.
***
SEE page two, today’s issue, regarding S. S. Gault’s auction sale at Mr Broughton’s residence at Somerville to-morrow.
***
BRODY & Farmer advertise in to-day’s issue particulars concerning an auction sale at Clyde Street, Frankston, on Oct 29th.
***
TWO dances are advertised for this month in to-day’s issue. The Fire Brigade are holding a dance on the 20th, and the Tennis Club have arranged an evening for the 28th inst.
***
THE Carrum trainer, Mr H. Farmer, considers Tangalooma unbeatable.
***
MR Mark Brody reports that 4.06 inches of rain were recorded at Frankston last month.
***
TWO more robberies have been reported – one at The Heights and the other in Nolan Street. The police are investigating.
***
ASPROS Ltd have a special advt on the supplement today, where some Carrum news and picture notes are published.
***
THE late Mr Alfred Farmer, who died recently at Richmond, was the father of Mr Bert Farmer, of Bittern.
***
THERE will be no Pictures next Wednesday night at Frankston.
***
AN influential body of leading musical people have successfully initiated a movement to give a stimulus to music.
A musical festival is to be held throughout Victoria from Nov. 6th to Nov. 13th inclusive, and the people of each town and village are asked to enlist the services of the leaders of music in their districts to make the week a great success.
Mr Frank Tate, I.S.O (Director of Education), recognising the educational value of the movement, has given his teachers permission to set apart one afternoon of that week for the rendition of “music and songs of genuine merit.”
Mr J. D. Jennings, headmaster of the Frankston State School, has secured the afternoon of Thursday, Nov 13th for the local school, and he cordially invites the active co-operation of the many talented musicians and singers resident at Frankston.
***
A VERY pleasant social evening was spent by the members and friends of the local Presbyterian Church on the 29th ult, when a presentation was made to Miss Dorothy Thornell in recognition of her services as organist of the church.
Mr J. F. Bell made the presentation – a silver cake dish – and spoke of the good and efficient services rendered by Miss Thornell for some time past.
He said she had come to their assistance when they were in a fix and they felt deeply grateful for the help she had so cheerfully given them.
The social also took the form of farewell to the departing minister, Mr Bell, and the welcoming of the incoming one, Mr Watkins.
On behalf of the congregation, Mr Watkins spoke of the good and strenuous work that had been done by their departing pastor; they felt they could not let him pass from their midst without marking the event in some way, and on their behalf he had much pleasure in handing to him a small token of their esteem in the form of a silver sweet bowl.
Mr Bell sincerely thanked them all for the memento; he would ever remember their kindness to him and cherish pleasant memories of his term amongst them.
Mr Bell then, on behalf of those present, said it afforded him much pleasure to extend a welcome to his successor, Mr Watkins.
He assured them that they were extremely fortunate in securing him as their pastor, and he prophesied a bright and successful time, both for pastor and people.
Mr Watkins suitably responded, and said he would do his best to bring about the fulfilment of Mr Bell’s prophecy.
Refreshments were served at the close of the meeting.
***
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 14 October 1921