MR. J. D. Jennings (president of the Frankston Progress Association), and Mr. J. Bradbury, jun., waited on the Council last Friday in support of the proposal of the Progress Association to place bowling greens and tennis courts on the road reserve alongside Mornington road on the town side of The Fernery.
Mr. Jennings said the scheme, if given effect to would supply a longfelt want.
The site chosen was a good one, and the bowling greens would be a great asset to the town.
Mr. Bradbury said the plans, drawn by an architect, were before the council and conveyed an idea of the scheme proposed.
The Progress Association proposed to carry out the work.
If the council decided to run the scheme as a municipal concern it would be for the council to say how the money should be found.
Seeing that the council was short of money, they would no doubt prefer the Progress Association to carry the financial responsibility.
The Progress Association would construct the greens and courts, but it was necessary to obtain the consent of the Country Roads Board to the use of the ground.
They would like to go to the Board supported by the council. The greens and courts would be run for the benefit of residents and visitors.
Cr. Gray asked if it was proposed to fence in the greens and tennis courts.
Mr. Bradbury: I advise a ti-tree hedge as a protection from dust.
Cr. Alden: Would the greens and courts be open to the public?
Mr. Bradbury: Yes.
Cr. Jones: It is for the benefit of Frankston. The council’s consent should be given to the Progress Association, who would run it as a club.
Cr. Longmuir: There is no scheme. We don’t know how they are going to run it.
Mr. Bradbury: It will be run on the same lines at the greens at St. Kilda and other places. The greens and courts will be open to the public who will pay a certain charge per game.
Cr. Alden: I move that this council offers no objection.
Cr. Oates seconded. He said he advocated this spot for a bowling green when the other agitation was on.
Cr. Mason said the site was not suitable. The scheme should be carried out on the reserve occupied by the Pier Tea House.
Cr. Walker spoke in favor of the motion. The site proposed was most suitable and the hill at the back could be beautified and transformed into an ideal place.
The foreshore reserve opposite should be put down in lawns, as was done in other famous seaside resorts.
Cr. Gray favored the motion. He asked if people would have access to the hill without payment.
Mr. Jennings said the hill would be terraced and provided with seating accommodation.
The public would have free access to same, also to the lawns and courts. They would only pay when they played games, the same as people did in a billiard room.
Cr. Gray wanted to make certain that the pathway from William street would not be blocked.
Mr. Bradbury: The plan shows that a zig-zag path will be taken down from William street for the use of the public.
Cr. Gerrand congratulated the Progress Association on being game enough to tackle such a big job without the assistance of the council.
It was a citizens job designed for the benefit of citizens. He wished the Progress Association every success.
Cr. Wells also spoke in support.
Cr. Jones: It is the best thing that ever happened to Frankston.
It was decided that a deputation from the Council and Progress Association wait on the Country Roads Board on Thursday next, 12th Inst., at 2.30 p.m.
Cr. Mason said that one point had been overlooked, and that was the possibility of the reserve in question being required for other purposes.
There was a strong movement on foot to secure an electric tramway between Frankston and Mornington. It would be an accomplished fact before many more years, and when it came the road reserve would be required for the tram line. It would be well to provide for such a contingency.
The motion was carried, and the president congratulated the Progress Association on the forward move it was making for the benefit of the town.
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MISS Ethel O’Grady is at present the guest of Mr. and Mrs. L. N. R. Utber, of Frankston.
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MISS O’Grady, who has just concluded a tour of Japan, China and India, has many friends in Frankston.
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MR. W. Stott, who recently underwent an operation in Dr. Maxwell’s private hospital, is progressing favorably.
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MR. J. Martin, of Seaford, who was thrown from his vehicle while driving to church last Sunday week, fortunately suffered no ill effects beyond a severe shaking.
He was able to attend church as usual last Sunday, but this time he came in a motor car.
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A MEETING of the Frankston High School committee was held on Wednesday night last when concern was expressed concerning the rumors that were abroad concerning the likelihood of Frankston losing the High School after all.
Dr. Maxwell, who occupied the chair, emphasised the need for continued activity on the part of the committee. “If we don’t ask we won’t get.” His remarks were applauded.
There was a large attendance, including Mr. A. Bailey, vice-president; Mesdames Rogerson, James, Amor, Morris, Lewis, Cr. Wells, Cr. Gray, Messrs. Wheeler (treasurer), Legge, Bartlett, A. B. Morris, James, Jennings, Wright, Lind, and W. C. Young (acting secretary).
Apology was received from Mr. L. J. Ward. A visitor to the meeting was Cr. Oates.
Great enthusiasm characterised the proceedings, and it was evident that the good old fighting spirit evinced in the past is still burning brightly.
It was as the result of the meeting that Crs. Wells and Gray took an early train to Melbourne yesterday morning with a determination to secure an interview With Sir Alexander Peacock.
They succeeded. Cr. Gray is an old friend of Sir Alex., and it was a case of “Charlie” this, and “Charlie” that when they met.
The outcome was that Crs. Gray and Wells were able to arrange with Sir Alex. to receive a deputation from Frankston later in the day.
Hon. A. Downward was unable to be present owing to a prior engagement.
At 3.30 yesterday afternoon the following deputation was received by the Minister: Crs. Gray, Wells, Oates, Longmuir, Alden, Messrs. Bradbury and W. C. Young.
The Minister: Well, what is it you want; the site question, I suppose?
Cr. Gray: No, Sir Alex.; not the site; we understand that is settled.
We want to know when you are going to start building the High School at Frankston?
The Minister: Oh; that’s it. Well, let us see where we are.
The outcome was that the Minister stated emphatically that the question of site was definitely settled. The school would be built on three acres.
He had agreed on that point with the Minister of Lands. There was some talk of a committee being appointed to govern the remaining 10 acres.
Sir Alex. did not know much about that, but it was a detail that could be settled later.
Cr. Gray: We can then take it that we have your definite assurance that the school will be built at Frankston?
Sir Alex. replied in the affirmative – the only thing that might block it was in the event of the Government being turned out of office. (Laughter).
The deputation retired well pleased with their interview.
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From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 11 & 13 Jul 1922
