LAST Monday evening, Thomas Lyons, motor car driver, called at the Frankston police station and told Senior-Constable Cullaine a sensational story of how he lost his motor car.
He said he was driving for Vickery’s garage, Melbourne. When at the top of the hill the car stopped and he walked to the back to examine it.
Suddenly the car began to move, and before Lyons could reach the brakes, it was careering backwards down the hill. Swerving, it dashed over the steepest part of the cliff, and fell into the sea.
The car was badly damaged. Its framework was buckled considerably, and mudguards were torn off.
Fortunately, there were no passengers.
On Sunday night another car crashed into the fence about 70 yards from the scene of last night’s accident, and tore it completely away.
Up to the present the driver or owner of that car is unknown.
***
ON May 6 quite an historic event, from both the medical and the public point of view, occurred in Frankston.
During the voyage from Sydney to Melbourne, Mrs. Hyland, whose daughter, Mrs. W. Bartlett, is a well-known resident of Frankston, fell on the deck of the “SS Canberra.”
Mrs. Hyland was unable to obtain medical attention on board and was conveyed to Frankston by ambulance, where it was found that she was suffering from a fractured hip.
This was treated at Nurse Creswick’s private hospital, and a further examination by the X-ray was made, which confirmed the nature of the fracture, and the fact that it was in good position and doing well.
This is worthy of note, and is of special interest to the Eletricity Commission, because it is the first X-ray examination made in Frankston, and probably the first on the Peninsula.
It was highly successful, and was only possible because of the efficient electric current obtainable at Nurse Creswick’s hospital in the day time.
Dr. C. Maxwell, who has the case in hand, is naturally pleased to find that the resources of Frankston as regards electric current have improved so materially, and residents will be equally gratified that medical science can be as effectively applied in their home town as in the large institutions of the metropolis.
***
LAST Friday the Acting Minister of Public Works had consented to receive a deputation from the Frankston and Hastings Council.
Cr. Wells was on the spot, and Mr Downward again accompanied him, and their relief was considerable when they found Lieut.Col. Lazarus (Shire Engineer), Mr. W. P. Thompson (Long Island), and two members of the St Kilda Yacht Club waiting for them.
Frankston hopes to become a favorite yachting resort, but there is no shelter to protect the boats at the long pier.
A substantial breakwater would cost about £5000. If the Government will provide about £3000, as it has alone in other cases, the residents and yacht clubs of Frankston will subscribe the balance.
This was the gist of a proposal made to the Acting Minister for Public Works. (Mr. Pennington)
Mr. Pennington promised that the chief engineer for public works (Mr. Kermode) would inspect the site and prepare a report for the consideration of Cabinet.
***
THE residents of Hastings for some time past have been endeavouring to induce the Shire Council to modify the regulations relating to wandering cattle.
Public meetings have been held and petitions largely signed, all designed to impress the Council with the view that the new by-law operates too harshly on the householders, who being the owner of one milch cow may desire to depasture his animal on the wide stretch of foreshore surrounding Hastings.
On Friday last a deputation, consisting of Messrs. J. D. Hodgins, Herb. Knox, Claude Moffitt and James Bradley, waited on the Council at Frankston and presented the above view.
They were introduced by Cr Unthank.
Mr. Hodgins spoke impressively and said that while the Council had already heard a lot on this matter, he had not heard quite enough.
The Local Progress Association was with the Council in trying to put down the wandering cattle nuisance, but the regulation now adopted was too drastic, and ratepayers were not co-operating in having it carried out.
It was desired that permission should be given to graze milch cows on the foreshore during the day time.
There was a lot of marshland there suitable for the purpose. During dry weather and with water very scarce it was impossible to keep cows locked up day and night.
Cr Jones: Do you propose to limit the number of cows one owner should turn out?
Mr. Hodgins was opposed to one owner turning out four or five cows.
Cr. Alden said the Council had already considered a modification of the regulation.
The shire secretary read the draft of a resolution tabled at last meeting which provided that one owner should be allowed to turn out one cow to graze during the day time. All animals to be yarded at night.
This resolution had not been carried, because it was necessary to first rescind the motion now on the books.
Cr. Unthank said he was in agreement with the deputation. He was opposed to young stock and bulls being allowed to roam at large.
Cr. Wells said that stock grazing on the roads was a curse. He preferred to see a grazing fee of 2/6 per head charged, with a ranger in charge.
In the interests of the travelling public he could not support the request.
Mr. Hodgins: We are asking that the cows be allowed on the foreshore not the roads.
Cr. Mason: If Hastings is given this privilege, will it stop there? What about Frankston?
Cr. Gray: Have you a common at Frankston like they have at Hastings ?
Cr. Mason: We fenced our foreshore.
Cr. Wells said that only recently Mr. Trehare narrowly escaped an accident on the Somerville road through a stray horse getting in front of his motor car.
The rescinding of previous resolution was then discussed. It was stated that if councillors were unanimous the recision could take place at once.
Cr. Wells: I can’t agree to the proposal.
Cr. Jones: That settles it; notice of motion will have to be given for next meeting.
Cr. Wells said he could not vote against his convictions. Wandering stock was a menace to the travelling public. He intended voting against the motion to rescind when it was brought forward. If anyone was killed the blame would not rest on his shoulders.
The deputation then withdrew, Mr. Hodgins thanking the Council for the patient hearing given.
***
AT the last meeting of the Shire Council held on Friday last Cr. Mason and Gray moved: “That this Council place on record the very fine work being done by the members of the Frankston Fire Brigade. The Council recognised the arduous and honorary work done by its members, and feel that the good work lately done whereby their efforts have resulted in considerable property being saved, especially the saving of the pine trees in the Frankston park, and in other directions.
Cr. Gray said he moved some time ago that a piece of land be granted the brigade to practise on. He asked the officers to go into the matter.
Crs. Wells and Oates supported the motion, which was carried unanimously.
***
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 9 & 11 May 1923
First published in the Mornington News – 9 May 2023
