MR W. Crawford Young, who is a candidate for the seat in the Frankston Riding of the Shire Council, in opposition to Cr. W. J. Oates, the retiring representative, addressed a large meeting of ratepayers in the Mechanics’ Hall on Friday night last.
Mr. T. J.. McMurtrie presided, and seated with him on the platform were Messrs. H. Gamble, A. Bailey, F. Bartlet and L. J. Ward.
Mr. Young, who was well received, explained that he was new to platform speaking.
As a citizen he claimed that he had a perfect right to offer his services to the ratepayers.
Perhaps it was not an enviable position he was seeking, as the testimony of some shire councillors seemed to indicate that in return for their services they received more kicks than half-pence. (Laughter).
Despite that assertion it seemed somewhat peculiar that retiring councillors fought very strenuously to retain office. (Renewed laughter).
Personally, he regarded it as a good sign when citizens vied with one another for such honors, so the municipality had to bestow.
It was, he thought, a sign of –an indication that ratepayers were alive to their own interests.
It was not desirable, from the public viewpoint, that retiring councillors should be re-elected unopposed year after year.
Such a condition did not necessarily mean that ratepayers were satisfied with the retiring representatives. It too often meant that ratepayers were too lacking in energy and enterprise to hunt up an opposing candidate.
He claimed that he or any other ratepayer had a perfect right to contest the seat for the Frankston Riding and it was quite unfair of the opposition to say that he was out to “down” Cr. Oates. (Hear, hear).
No councillor should be afraid to have his place in the confidence of the ratepayers challenged.
PROGRESS WANTED
Frankston ratepayers on the present occasion had given unmistakable evidence of reviving interests in municipal affairs.
The feeling was that a more progressive spirit should be infused into our local governing body.
There was a feeling abroad that Frankston was not keeping pace with the times.
Evidences of private enterprise were apparent on every side and only the Shire Council seemed to be dragging behind.
MUNICIPAL NEGLECT
The candidate said the footpaths were not a credit to Frankston; many of the by-streets were a disgrace, and one particular lane at the rear of buildings at the top end of Bay St. was an undoubted menace to public health.
This lane had been under the notice of the Council for years, but action had been delayed until now the medical officer of health had lodged a report, which could not be ignored.
It was unfair to citizens that such a disease-breeding spot should have been allowed to exist so long. The health of the community should be protected at any cost. (Cheers)
There was a lack of civic pride in Frankston which could only be attributed to the apathy of ratepayers themselves.
If ratepayers were alert and vigilant, the Shire Council would show corresponding activity.
Mr Young indicated one case of neglect, which, although perhaps small in itself, served to show the lack of pride taken in the appearance of the town.
He referred to the old notice board between Deane’s corner and Frankston House. Prior to last Christmas the limb of an adjacent tree had been dislodged by a high wind and fell across the board, breaking the stand and causing the sign to fall half-way to the ground.
It was a municipal sign erected by the Council. Instead of repairs being effected immediately, the thing was allowed to remain in its broken and disreputable condition throughout the holidays, until the fallen tree withered as the whole turnout became an eyesore and a reproach.
This incident served to indicate the lack of civic pride and lack of proper municipal supervision that existed.
Frankston was essentially a seaside residential area and holiday resort, and it should lay itself out to please and attract visitors.
OUR GREATEST ASSET
Frankston possessed no industries in the sense the term was usually applied.
It depended for its existence to a very large extent on its popularity as a residential and seaside resort.
It was, therefore, of the utmost importance that the town, the foreshore and the beaches should be kept clean, bright and attractive.
If elected to the Council he would move for the appointment of a Foreshore Trust.
These Trusts consisted of three councillors and five citizens.
The beaches and the foreshore were their especial care, and the very fine work performed by the Trusts in other places was sufficient guarantee that Frankston would benefit by the appointment of such a body.
BUNGLES OF THE PAST
Mr. Young said the Council had to thank the Electricity Commissioners for extricating them from a very difficult position regarding the electric light supply.
The fact that the Council was unable to produce any contract with the Frankston Gas & Electric Light Company showed a deplorable lack of business method, and it was fortunate that Mr. Ditchburn, representing the Frankston Company, had not raised any obstacle to the Council against obtaining control of the position.
The stone quarry was another instance of lack of proper business method.
He doubted if any councillor was in position to say what the financial position of the quarry really was at the present time.
The candidate’s view was that a special committee of the Council should be appointed to keep strict supervision over the affairs of the quarry.
About £15,000 had been expended on the enterprise and it was due to the ratepayers that every reasonable provision should be made to protect their interests.
GOVERNMENT BY THOSE ELECTED TO GOVERN
The candidate if elected would expect to take his full share of responsibility in connection with the working of the Council.
He would not expect to delegate his duties to the officers of the Council.
In Government departments as in Shire Councils there was too often a tendency on the part of the people’s direct representatives to shirk responsibilities by placing the onus on the shoulders of officers.
The particular status of the working foreman would be enquired into by the candidate if elected.
The working foreman held a responsible position and frequently had the oversight of three or four road gangs in different portions of the Riding.
The road foreman should keep in close touch with works in progress, and the candidate considered there was something wrong with the system that kept the employee referred to so frequently in the vicinity of the Shire office.
The road foreman had been engaged in taking around petitions for new Riding, and the Shire Hall when he should have been engaged on the roads.
The candidate would be in favor of supplying the foreman with a bicycle to enable him to keep in closer touch with works under his supervision.
HONOR AVENUE
The candidate considered that the Council had failed in its duty in connection with the Honor Avenue.
Little if any care had been bestowed on the plantation, many of the trees were dead, dying or missing altogether, and brass plates which should have been supplied long ago were still missing.
He understood that a committee had money in hand for the purchase of the name plates and yet nothing was done.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 16 August 1922
First published in the Mornington News – 16 August 2022
