THE Rev. C. Angwin, of the Mordialloc Methodist church. (late of Frankston) had a thrilling experience and most miraculous escape on Sunday night last on the Point Nepean Road, between Chelsea and Edithvale, at about 6.40, when riding his bicycle to take the evening service at Edithvale.
He was run down by a motor car, the occupants of which were young men.
He was lifted from his seat, thrown on the guard of the motor car wheel, projected on the road, and after being whirled from one side of the road to the other he regained his feet, feeling dazed, but having escaped with slight scalp wound, abrasions, sprains and sundry bruises!
He insisted on keeping his appointment, commenced the service punctually, preaching to a full church, few present knowing what had happened.
The bicycle was totally wrecked and the motor car, slightly damaged. The rev. gentleman was compelled to rest on Monday, but in the evening he attended the annual meeting of the Protestant Federation.
The occupants of the car rendered every assistance, even taking charge of the wrecked bicycle, which they promised to deliver at the Mordialloc station; but, alas it was recovered in the back yard of a camper’s home at Aspendale by the police.
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FRANKSTON is having fires in plenty. Last week, a house in Yuille Street, owned by Mr. E. T. Smith, was burned to the ground in a few minutes.
Again on Saturday night the fire bell clanged out its message, and the brigade hurried to the scene of activities in George Street, where a house, owned by Mr. Stephens, was on fire.
Every effort was made to save the house, but the flames had too good a hold on the building, and it was completely destroyed, leaving only the chimney standing.
It is understood the house was vacant at the time.
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THE death of Mr. Robert Howie, of Denbigh Street, Frankston, occurred on Monday last at his residence, the cause of death being lung trouble.
The late Mr. Howie was a man of kindly disposition and was well liked by all who knew him during his many years’ residence at Frankston.
He was 67 years of age, and leaves a widow and two sons.
The remains were interred at Frankston on Tuesday afternoon.
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A MEETING of the Frankston Park Improvement Committee was held at the Mechanics’ Hall on Monday evening. Cr. Oates occupied the chair, and others present were Crs. Mason, and Wells, Lieut.-Colonel Lazarus, Messrs. W. W. Young, Hector McComb, W, M. Hanton, W. C. Young, H. Gamble, J. L, Pratt, W. Lind and R. Fairnie, hon. sec. Lieut.-Col. Lazarus placed on the table rough sketch plan of proposed improvements to the park, including regrading of oval, erection of grandstand, and other matters.
Cr. Wells suggested that a working bee be held immediately to clean out the lagoon.
The idea was a good one, and it was resolved that a working bee be arranged for Monday next the Council to supply three drays and other drays to be secured.
It was resolved that a deputation wait on the Council at 2 o’clock on Friday next to ask that a sum of £2000 be borrowed to improve oval, erect grand-stand, extend track around lagoon and fencing.
Mr. H. Gamble was appointed leader of the deputation, and all clubs and organisation are expected to send representatives.
Cr. Mason spoke strongly in favor of bringing the park right up to date and making it worthy of the town and district.
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Frankston Police Court
Monday, 30th April. Before Mr. W. G. Smith, P.M. and Messrs. C. W. Grant and Brown, J.sP.
SELLING MILK WITHOUT A LICENSE.
Anthony Lucas was proceeded against for selling milk without a license.
Mr. Beckwith, who conducted the prosecution, said it was the duty of every dairyman disposing of milk to hold a license.
Frederick Johnston, Government Supervisor of Dairies, said that 20 cows were milked on defendant’s property. He had advised Lucas’s manager, Lewin Ferguson, that it would be necessary for him to secure a license.
To Defendant: Your man told me he never sold milk.
Defendant: Why did you not speak to me?
Witness: I did not see you.
Frank Taylor said he purchased milk from defendant on one occasion when he was short supplied. Witness bought the milk from Ferguson.
Defendant: How often did you purchase milk from him.
Witness: Only once. That was when I asked you if you could oblige me one weekend, as I was short.
Defendant said that the last witness once worked for him, and he remembered Taylor asking him one week and he (defendant) could oblige him with some milk.
If milk had been sold from defendant’s property on any other occasion it was without his knowledge and authority.
P.M.: I think if you were defended you would get off. Fined 10/- with 10/- costs.
RAILWAY PROSECUTION.
Edward E. Stone was charged with travelling in first-class railway carriage with a second-class ticket.
Defendant said he boarded the train at Caulfield. All the second-class carriages were full, and he could only find accommodation in a first-class compartment.
P.M.: There are so many of these cases, I don’t know why people take the risk; they must like paying fines.
A fine of 10/- with 7/6 costs was imposed.
WAGES BOARD PROSECUTION.
Inspector J. T. Howard conducted a prosecution under the Factories and Shops Act, the defendant being W. A. Hunter was charged with employing G. R. Coombes in his fibro-plant factory at Chelsea at a lower rate of wages than that provided for under the Wages Board Award.
Mr. A. Leslie Williams appeared for the defence.
G. R. Coombes, aged 23, claimed that he was employed as a table hand and entitled to receive £4/16/3 per week. He was only paid £4.
Inspector Howard stated that when he interviewed Hunter re the matter he claimed that Coombes had not had the experience as prescribed by the Wages Board.
In reply to Mr. Williams, Coombes stated he was born at Carrum in 1906. He was serious in stating that he was employed on the date in question as a full plaster-sheet hand. His position in the factory was not similar to that of a bricklayer’s laborer.
For the defence, Mr. Williams stated that technically Coombes was entitled to 86/- per: week. The determination of the Wages Board provided that a five years’ experience was necessary.
Coombes only entered the factory towards the end of October last.
Inspector Howard said the rate of wage was fixed by age, not the degree of skill possessed by the workman.
Defendant deposed that Coombes was only engaged in cleaning bars and preparing tables for the experts.
Coombes was not occupied in the actual making of the fibro sheets.
Coombes worked under the direction of the foreman. Witness described in part the process of manufacture.
After consultation the P.M. stated that he was inclined to think that Coombes was engaged in the manufacture of the articles. His colleagues, however, thought otherwise.
Mr. Williams admitted there had been a technical offence in paying £4 instead of £4/6/- per week. He urged that a small fine would meet the case.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 2 & 4 May 1923
First published in the Mornington News – 2 May 2023
