EXCITEMENT ran high at Frankston yesterday when Cr. Oates, the retiring councillor for the Frankston Riding, was opposed by Mr. W. Crawford Young.
The contest was the keenest seen in Frankston for many years.
Both sides were well organised, with the result that a high percentage of ratepayers recorded their votes.
Out of 793 votes on the roll 338 were accounted for.
Mr. Young who was contesting the seat on the High School question, on the grounds that Cr. Oates had not taken sufficient interest in the matter, polled exceptionally well considering the strength of his opponent’s support in the country districts.
The final figures gave Cr. Oates a majority of 55 votes.
The Returning Officer, Cr. W. P. Mason, was exceptionally prompt in announcing the result. He was assisted at the poll by Mr. J. E. Jones, who acted as poll clerk.
Mr. Norman Clements was scrutineer for Mr. Young, and Mr. Hugh Cameron acted in a similar capacity for Cr. Oates.
Cr. Oates in returning thanks to the ratepayers, said he was very pleased with the result of the local vote.
The fact that the postal vote was against him was, he considered due to the misrepresentation that had taken place through his opponent’s committee.
He would see to it that Frankston got its High School.
(Cheers).
Mr. Young also addressed the electors.
He thanked all who had worked so hard in his interests. They all knew that he contested the seat against Cr. Oates in order to uphold a principle.
He considered that Cr. Oates had not worked to secure a High School as he should have done.
Cr. Young then formally moved a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, which was seconded by Cr. Oates and carried.
***
A MISHAP which occurred at Chelsea on Tuesday morning was very near to being a tragedy.
A down train had just pulled into the station when a hard-driven milk cart turned to cross the level crossing on to the Frankston road, at the north end of the station.
Meanwhile an express engine and guard’s van was approaching to pass through without stopping.
This train was hidden by that already in the station.
When the engine whistled before entering the station, Mrs. Dodd, who was there with her cab, saw the danger and shouted to the driver of the cart.
He did not hear her, however, and was on the down rails just as the light engine dashed past.
The horse reared at the sudden pull on the reins and part of the engine caught the side of its heard a glancing blow and broke one of the shafts.
Later a vet attended the horse, when he found that its cheekbone was fractured in two places and its tongue cut.
He expects, however, with careful treatment, to save the animal.
At all times when there is a down train in the station this crossing is a blind one and most dangerous.
Special precautions should be taken by the railway people to ensure safety at the crossing when the view is obstructed by a train standing at the down platform.
***
THE first semi-final in the Mornington Peninsula Football Association will be played at Frankston, on Saturday afternoon.
Mornington and Hastings will be the opposing teams.
As Hastings have improved 100 percent during the past few weeks, they should seriously challenge Mornington’s right to remain any longer in the contest.
Mornington have a strong side selected and the game should therefore be well worth the watching.
League officials entirely will have charge of proceedings, the officials appointed being: Umpire, McKenzie; goal umpires, Bartlett and Bell; boundary umpires, Compton and Morgan.
***
A EUCHRE party and dance was held by the Somerville Stars Football Club Thursday night last.
A good crowd was present and greatly enjoyed the euchre.
The prizes were won by Miss Nell White (ladies), Mrs. Gomm (booby), Mr. W. Ballantyne; and Mr. Geo. White (booby).
After the cards, dancing was indulged in until midnight.
The evening showed a profit of £1.
***
SOMERVILLE Tennis Club is going ahead nicely.
At a meeting held last week the club decided on quite a lot of improvements.
The tennis club is doing its best to back up the efforts of the Shire Council in improving the park.
It is expected that tennis will be in full swing in the next two months.
The club is also trying to form an Association amongst the other tennis clubs in the district.
When the new court is finished we will be well equipped for some fine afternoons’ sport.
***
AT the conclusion of the function held in honor of Mr. W. Crawford Young, proprietor of “The Standard,” held on Saturday evening last, the chairman (Mr. J. D. Jennings) announced that advantage would be taken of the opportunity offered by such a large and representative gathering to make a presentation to the Governor of Pentridge, Major Conder, O.B.E.
The presentation, the chairman said, should have been made months before, and had been unavoidably delayed, was in the form of an illuminated address from the people of Frankston.
He called on Mr. T. J. McMurtrie to make the presentation.
Mr. McMurtrie said it afforded him very great pleasure to carry out the duty entrusted to him. He had been in close touch with Major Condor at Langwarrin, and knew the magnificent work carried out by him there.
This little presentation was simply a small token of appreciation from the residents of Frankston to convey their gratitude to Major Conder for all he had done for their little town.
His departure from the district was a distinct loss. His numerous friends wished him success in his new sphere of labor. What he had done to trans-form Langwarrin was sufficient guarantee that he would prove successful in his new task.
People who lived in cobwebs always cried out when the cob webs were swept away. (Laughter and applause).
Major Conder, who was received with loud applause, said he regarded it a sort of privilege to “blow in” amongst his Frankston friends occasionally.
It was particularly pleasing to be present that evening when Frankston citizens were doing honor to Mr. Young.
In all his movements initiated at Langwarrin the late proprietor of “The Standard,” Mr. Young, senr., had been one of his best, keenest and brightest supporters.
“The Standard” newspaper was a credit to the district.
Major Conder, in referring to his new appointment, said he did not resent criticism – fair criticism – but when a man was faced with unjust criticism it was something very difficult to combat.
The speaker concluded his speech in happy vein.
He said he was always happy when in the Frankston district.
“God bless you,” he added, “but if you get into my hands. God help you.” (Laughter and applause).
***
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 25 August 1922
First published in the Mornington News – 23 August 2022
