THE Railway Commissioners’ Messrs Clapp, Miscamble and Shannon, paid their periodical visit of inspection to the stations on the Frankston–Stony Point and Mornington lines yesterday.
They were met at Frankston by Crs Oates Mason, Wells, May, Mr J. E. Jones, shire secretary, Colonel Lazarus, shire engineer, Messrs Jas. Lambie and Young, (Progress Association.)
In reply to a request that a certain area near the entrance to the sub–way should be reserved as a cab stand, Mr Clapp replied that provision had been made by the department in the direction indicated.
He declined emphatically, to render financial assistance to the council in constructing the road from the goods shed to Beach Street, and could not agree to improve the facilities for, trucking stock at the Frankston cattle yards.
He told Mr Lambie that the question of preserving the trees near the sub–way would be considered later, and the same answer was given to a request that a dock be provided at the Young Street entrance for loading produce and other perishable goods.
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THERE was a large attendance at the meeting of the Frankston Progress Association held on Tuesday evening last, the president, Mr. J. D. Jennings, in the chair.
Messrs. Jas. Lambie and Jas. Haggart were proposed as new members, and Mr. Haggart responded in reply to the President’s welcome.
The President expressed satisfaction at seeing such a large attendance, and extended a hearty welcome to the visitors, who included several old residents.
Correspondence was read relating to the subway at Frankston railway station, in which the Commissioners indicated that the original plan for carrying the subway right through would be adhered to. (Applause.)
HIGH SCHOOL
The Hon. A. Downward wrote, stating that the old cricket ground was a temporary reserve, and forwarded plan showing area proposed to be made available for High School.
The President said it could be accepted as a fact that unless the Education Department was given control of the whole of the area, Frankston would not get its High School.
Mr. Wheeler said if the reserve was only a temporary one the Lands Department should transfer to the Education Department.
He referred to the splendid High School at Hamilton which he had recently inspected.
The building alone had cost £10,000, and the residents had provided 20 acres of land in a town where land was selling at £100 a foot.
The people there realised the value of having a High School in the district.
Mr. Joseph McComb said Frankston had four other reserves independent of the old cricket ground and the park.
They were situate one near Deane’s, one near Coxall’s, one at Baxter’s and Humpheries’ reserve.
Why not sell one of these, and purchase Mr. O’Grady’s property on Melbourne road for the High School.
Mr. L. J. Ward said if the Department could not secure the old cricket reserve, the High School would probably be lost to Frankston for all time.
Cr. Wells said a special meeting of the Shire Council was being held on Thursday, 29th inst., when the question would be again debated.
OLD PIONEERS’ MEMORIAL
Cr. F. H. Wells introduced the matter of erecting a memorial to the old pioneers of Frankston, and suggested an arch over the cemetery gates to cost from £40 to £50, with names engraved on brass plate.
Messrs. Legge, Oliver, Lawrey, and others did not favor the cemetery proposal.
Mr. Wheeler thought if anything was to be erected at the cemetery it should be in the form of a latch gate.
In discussion, it was pointed out that the old pioneers referred to were all dead, some of the names mentioned being Messrs. William Davey, John Davey, Willie Davey, John Court, Ritchie, Petrie, Croskell, Box, Oliver, Sage, Baxter, Patterson, McComb, Bentick, Lawrey, Renouf, Thompson, Carr, Dean, McMahon, and others.
The President jocularly referred to Messrs. Tom and Jos. McComb, Renouf, Wells, and others present at the meeting as “the boys”.
Cr. Wells moved, and Mr. Jos. McComb seconded, that a suitable memorial be erected in Frankston to the memory of the old pioneers.
Carried.
Mr. S. Lawrey thought it would be advisable not to start collecting till the Soldiers’ Memorial was provided for.
Mr. Young favoured this, and moved that a sub-committee be appointed to select suitable site, suggest form of memorial with estimate of cost, and report at next meeting of Progress Association.
Seconded by Mr. Lowrey, and carried.
The following were appointed a sub committee: Cr. Wells, Messrs. Jos. McComb, S. Lawrey, S. Oliver, T. McComb, M. Brody, Jennings, Young, Renouf, Colonel Lazarus and Wells sen.
TREE PLANTING IN PLAYNE ST
The Secretary said he had been asked by Mr. Lambie to bring forward the matter of planting trees down the centre of Playne street.
Mr. Lambie suggested that the Council should be approached by petition.
Mr. Lawrey said it was not 12 months since a large petition was sent to the Council protesting against a rockery in Playne’ street.
Mr. Wheeler said that the rockery as proposed was 10 or 12 ft. wide.
A row of trees would not occupy much more than 1 ft.
It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs. Young and Hoggart, that the question stand over till next meeting.
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MR and Mrs A. K. T. Sambell were the guests of their Excellencies at the State Government House, last week.
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MISS D. Gregory, whose marriage to Mr C. Pike, of Peechelba, takes place on the 8th July, is to be entertained at a public social in the Frankston Mechanics’ Hall on Wednesday night, 5th July.
A cordial invitation is extended to all friends and well-wishers.
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THE opening of the Jumble Fair, in aid of the funds of the Frankston Football Club, takes place tonight at 8 o’clock, in the Masonic Hall, in Young Street, and will be continued tomorrow (Saturday’ night), at the same hour.
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AN indication of Frankston’s progress is supplied by an announcement in our advertising columns this week to the effect that the local branch of the National Bank of Australasia will in future be open daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday noon.
Residents will no doubt show their appreciation of this forward move in a practical way.
“The Standard” has been hammering at the question of giving Frankston proper banking facilities for the past 3 years.
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MR Geo Farmer, who had his finger caught in the belting at the Frankston Electric Light works early this week, is making satisfactory progress, after several days spent in hospital.
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THE members of the Frankston Branch of Returned Soldiers invite the Dads and Mums to a social in the Mechanics’ on Monday evening next.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 30 June 1922