FRANKSTON, in common with other towns throughout Australia, refused to get excited on Saturday last over the Federal elections.
The return of the Commonwealth Treasurer, Capt. S. M. Bruce, for the Flinders electorate, was regarded by his friends as a certainty, and as there was no visible sign of activity on the part of the opposition the conclusion arrived at was that almost everybody was voting for the retiring member.
Very many electors, not only in Frankston, but, throughout the electorate, did not record their votes.
Many voters argued: “Oh, Bruce is safe enough; he can do without my vote,” and they left the job to the other fellow.
The result was that Mr. Thompson, the Liberal candidate, made a remarkably good showing, as the appended figures show.
The Frankston polling booth was in charge of the veteran, Capt. S. Sherlock, who, with his competent staff, carried out the duties of the day in a highly efficient manner.
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THE children of the Frankston State school, in response to Lady Forster’s appeal for the Relief Fund for Stricken Europe, raised the nice sum of four guineas amongst themselves only.
Acting on Mrs. Pownall’s suggestion, they brought in fresh eggs for the Children’s Hospital for Christmas use.
So generous were their donations that about sixteen dozen eggs were despatched.
Two very commendable little efforts, showing the right Christmas spirit.
Owing to the early closing for the Christmas vacation the Christmas tree was not held, but the rooms were nicely decorated and the blackboards filled with appropriate drawings, in which Santa Claus figured prominently.
A large tin of lollies was much appreciated by the juniors.
The head master, Mr. Jennings has promised the school a treat on the 29th March, the Thursday before Good Friday, and, as the Qualifying and Merit pupils obtained such good results, and practically every child in the school received promotion to a higher grade for January, 1923, he has promised that it will be a very good treat.
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WELLS ROAD. Large Expenditure Needed. Cr. Armstrong Suggests Concerted Action.
The Council discussion on the above subject recorded in last Wednesday’s issue of the “Standard” has attracted considerable attention, and people who know the requirements of Wells Road best and are anxious for its improvement are not at all sure that the Council did a wise thing in deciding to expend a paltry £100 or so on this important highway.
They argue that the road is one of the most important thoroughfares in the Shire, and as such requires a Government vote of several thousands of pounds to put it in proper order.
When interviewed on the subject yesterday, Cr. W. Armstrong, the Shire President, said he had been fighting hard to induce the Country Roads Board to take over Wells Road as a developmental road.
He realised the importance of the road, and said he was keenly disappointed when the letter was read from the Country Roads Board, stating that owing to lack of funds they could not take over the road at present.
Cr. Armstrong was of the opinion that the Council should not let the matter drop.
It was his intention at next meeting to again refer to the matter, as he was afraid that the few pounds voted at last meeting for improvements would convey the idea that all had been done that could be done.
He was not satisfied that this was the case.
He favored a deputation to the Minister, backed up by the residents of the district, to see to a comprehensive scheme for the formation of the road from end to end could not be arranged.
He thoroughly agreed with the views of some of the settlers that £100 would not do more than fill in a few holes and could effect no lasting benefit.
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MR. and Mrs. P. Wheeler returned to Frankston yesterday, after several weeks spent in New Zealand.
Mr. Wheeler visited the Dominions to assist at the installation of Lord Jellicoe as Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge.
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COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. Langwarrin Robbery Case.
At the Frankston Police Court on Monday last the man, Herbert Jones, who was remanded from last week’s court, appeared to answer the charge of having stolen property to the value of £15 from the residence of Mrs. Holley, of Langwarrin.
The Bench was occupied by Cr. W. Armstrong and Messrs. C. W. Grant and Brown, J.sP.
Accused, who came to the district about three months ago to work for Mr. Griffiths of Langwarrin, was committed for trial.
Mrs. Holley gave evidence as to accused’s movements on the day of the robbery, and “acting on information” Constable Mahoney, of Frankston, placed Jones under arrest.
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ONE of “Strathmore’s” acquaintances has a particularly fine taste for delicacies, and delights in raspberry puddings, tripe cutlets, stuffed oysters and the like.
He is a personality whose presence is one of Frankston’s assets.
Naturally, a man gifted with an appetite of this variety is addicted to dreaming, and, although Melba declares dreaming is inspirational, this friend of mine declares it to be the very opposite.
He had a terrible dream the other night.
As an Anzac he had swam in the waters of the Bosphorus – whilst in Egypt he had splashed in the Nile.
In France he bathed in the Somme, and had washed his august presence in the Avon.
Thinking of those vivid days the other night, he slept on that raspberry pie and dreamed of pleasant incidents in those distant days of tragedy.
After a while, he screamed and spluttered.
“Save me!” he shrieked.
His wife ran to the rescue. When he awakened he explained, “Blime, I thought I was drowning in the Kananook Creek!”
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MR. David Unaipon, the Australian aboriginal evangelist, conducted the Presbyterian services at Frankston, Baxter and Somerville on Sunday last.
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ON Saturday next, December 23, a new amusement venture will be commenced at “Melisande,” Melbourne Road, Frankston.
Miss Rene Melisande has fitted out the grounds in front of her house for the purpose of an open-air entertainment of a high-class character.
The management is in the hands of Mr. Phil Dowding, who has had a wide experience of a similar nature in various parts of the Commonwealth.
Miss Melisande proposes to present pictures equal to any shown in Melbourne with the additional attraction of being in the open-air.
A tarpaulin will be fixed which will provide ample protection in the event of inclement weather.
The “Melisande” orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Herbert Sutton, A.R.C.O., etc., will provide the music, and it is intended that this will be of a very high standard.
The pictures will be changed twice weekly; likewise the musical programme.
On Saturday nights the first half of the programme will take the form of a concert and the second half pictures.
For the opening night the vocalists will be Mr. John D. Brownlee (baritone), who is going to London to enlarge his musical career on the recommendation of Dame Nellie Melba, O.B.E., and Miss Alice Wood, the well-known mezzo-soprano.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 20 & 22 Dec 1922
First published in the Mornington News – 20 December 2022
