AT a recent social gathering of members of the Frankston Cricket Club the question cropped up as to why cricketers were not permitted to use the Frankston Park.
There seemed to be absolute unanimity of opinion that cricket matches should be played in the park, and a resolution was passed instructing the secretary to convene a special meeting of the club for the purpose of fully discussing the question and taking steps to bring the matter before the Shire Council.
This meeting eventuated last Saturday night, at Frankston House.
The attendance, however, was very small, only nine members being present.
The president (Dr. Maxwell) sent a phone message, stating that he was prevented from attending at the last minute and various apologies were received from other members, including Cr. F. H. Wells, who, however, intimated that he was in sympathy with the movement.
Cr. Oates, one of the vice-presidents, was voted to the chair. He speedily made it clear that he did not view the proposal favorably. He said he did not know why he had not been invited to attend the social function.
He had read the report of the proceedings in “The Standard,” and noticed that he had been picked out by one of the speakers as a councillor who was against giving up the park to cricket.
He did not know why he had been singled out, considering that he was not alone in his opposition.
Another speaker had said that the Melbourne picnics only benefitted three houses in Frankston. It was simply foolishness to talk like that. When Mr. Vicars was in the Pier Tea House he told him (Cr. Oates) that he looked to the picnics to pay his rent.
As a matter of fact many of the business people benefitted considerably by the picnics and he quoted specific cases.
It was not so very many years ago that Frankston sent a deputation to Melbourne to try and secure railway picnics. It was not correct to say that Mornington had cut out picnics.
Cr. Oates then drew attention to the fact that the Council had expended £10 in putting down a concrete pitch on the Cranbourne Road reserve and it was time cricketers made up their minds what they really did want.
The ratepayers would be up against a proposal to incur similar expense in the park. Someone had suggested a turf wicket, but that would interfere with the Show and other sports gatherings.
Cr. Oates reminded the meeting that the Council was just launching a big loan for the improvement of the park. They were relying on the revenue received from picnics to pay part of the liability incurred.
If the cricket club persevered with its demand to use the park he would have to seriously reconsider the position, as he would not feel justified in going on with the loan if a certain source of revenue was cut off.
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BAXTER HALL. ASSISTANCE REQUIRED.
At the recent public meeting which adopted the report of the sub-committee appointed to draw up plans and estimates of cost of a hall, it was decided that a strong committee of local gentlemen should be formed to co-operate with the sub-committee in the carrying out of the project.
Invitations to join in this were forwarded to practically all residents, and a second meeting was specially called to give a further opportunity to any who may have been prevented by the inclement weather from attending the first meeting.
The apparent lack of interest on the part of some who did not attend seemed to act merely as a stimulant to those who did, for both meetings disclosed a welcome determination to push forward with the project.
Mr. J. Marshall very generously promised that, whatever amount it may be necessary to raise by way of loan, he would, failing any better offer being received by the committee, guarantee to find the amount at not more than 6 percent, providing that a few residents would undertake, with him, the responsibility of seeing that the re-payments of principal and interest were made in accordance with the terms of the loan.
In a like public-spirited manner, this responsibility was immediately undertaken by four gentlemen present, and it is hoped that one or two others will join in and thus more equitably distribute the risk that should after all be borne by all, instead of the few.
It was unanimously, agreed that an appeal be launched for the purpose of raising a sum sufficient to allow of the construction of the hall being proceeded with almost immediately, and a draft of the proposed appeal was adopted.
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MR. J. Hanton, who has been on the influenza list, is now out and about once more.
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WE regret to state that Cr. C. A. Jones, of Hastings, and father of Mrs. H. Golds, of Frankston, has been taken seriously ill with heart trouble and is now a patient in a private hospital in Melbourne.
His condition is critical.
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IN “The Standard’s” last issue it was stated that Mr. J. M. Watt, J.P., of Hastings, was seriously ill. This is incorrect, as, happily, Mr. Watt is in the best of health.
The mistake occurred in that Miss Marjorie Watt, his daughter, should have been referred to.
She has been seriously ill with pneumonia for some time, but is now improving.
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MRS. Arthur Hay, of Frankston, who is seriously ill, is now at Nurse Creswick’s private hospital, where she is making good headway towards recovery.
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MISS Ethel Julian, aged 27 years, who was admitted to Melbourne Hospital on Wednesday evening suffering from fracture of the base of the skull and other injuries, died on Friday afternoon.
Miss Julian was a passenger in a double-seater car, driven by Mr. Lewis L. Myers, which was struck by a fast moving electric train at the Aspendale level crossing on Wednesday of last week.
Miss Julian, whose parents live in Candover St, West Geelong, was the manageress of Herbert Adams Ltd.’s branch cake shop, at Port Melbourne.
Mr. Myers, the other victim of the smash, is progressing satisfactorily.
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Residents of Mt. Eliza met in the hall on Monday evening to express their regard for Miss Poultney, who is resigning from the Education Department after having been in charge of the local school for the past seven years.
There were about seventy present, and the proceedings took the form of a social and kitchen tea.
Mr. C. E. Wood, the chairman of the school committee, presented to Miss Poultney on behalf of the school children, a case of afternoon tea spoons, and on behalf of residents and friends, a fine collection of useful articles for a kitchen tea, which were set out on a table in the hall.
Mr. John Moseley, vice-president of the hall committee very aptly expressed the sentiments of the meeting towards the guest of the evening, who, in addition to having been an excellent teacher, had taken a foremost part in public and patriotic movements during her stay in the district.
Mr. Leeland Davey, on behalf of Miss Poultney, returned thanks for the presents and good wishes.
Songs were sung by Mrs. Livingstone, Miss Poultney, Miss Mitchell and Mr. Smethurst. The accompanists were Mrs. Neilson and Miss Livingstone, and the music was supplied by Miss Mitchell, Mr Moseley and Mr. E. Stone. Mr. Will.
Thomas made a good M.C.
The usual excellent supper supplied by the ladies was done full justice too, and there seemed to be general satisfaction with the accommodation provided in the new hall.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 6 & 8 Jun 1923
