Compiled by Cameron McCullough
A LARGE deputation waited on the council on Friday last with the request that action be taken to provide adequate drainage for the residential area from Beach Street to Overton Road, Frankston.
Cr. Gray read a letter from Mr. E. A. Evans, asking him to introduce the deputation of residents affected by the recent floods, and it was evident from the commencement that the deputation had the sympathy of the whole council.
Under the circumstances it was extremely unfortunate that Mr. W. Milvain, who was absolutely “straining at the leash” in his eagerness to address the council, should have had the opportunity of abusing a privilege.
His attack on one of the council’s officers was unwarranted and extremely spiteful. It is due to the other members of the deputation to say that they greatly resented the false position in which their co-deputationist’s excess of rancour placed them, and many of them afterwards personally apologised to the councillors and officers.
Messrs. Robt. Burnside and E. A. Evans, who spoke after Mr. Milvain, must have felt their position very keenly, and they repaired as far as possible the unfavorable impression created by the intemperate remarks of the first speaker.
Mr. Milvain, in the course of his speech, attributed the cause of the flooding partly to the golf links drainage, and his concluding remarks consisted of a vicious attack on the Shire Engineer.
Mr. Burnside put the case very clearly and with convincing reasonableness. He did not hold the council blameless, but at the same time made no direful threats as to what would eventuate if relief was not forthcoming.
He contended that if existing drains were cleaned out and culverts enlarged the result would be satisfactory. He specially mentioned the culvert at Overton Road as requiring immediate attention.
He urged that the reputation of Frankston as a tourist resort would be seriously jeopardised if something was not done immediately to prevent a recurrence of the recent floods.
Mr. Evans said if the drain at Overton Road was enlarged there would be no backing up of water such as was experienced within the last few days.
The drain there should have a 4ft. outlet at least. Provision should also be made to make full use of the Beach Street drain.
The president (Cr. Unthank) assured the deputation that there were hundreds of acres of cultivated land on the Peninsula inundated as the result of the recent abnormal rainfall.
Cr. Oates said he agreed that Mr. Milvain had put the position correctly.
He was prepared to do all he could to help the people who had suffered, and the council would have to meet the position. He had already spent three days down about the parts that were affected by the flood waters and had told the people that the council would do something to relieve them.
Many of these people were quite surrounded by water, and could not get out of their houses.
Cr. McCulloch was of the opinion that the bridges over the drains required lifting and the drains cleaned out. The Beach Street drain now carried a vast volume of water from as far back as Cranbourne Road. Seaford also was flooded just as much as Frankston. It was apparent that larger outlets would have to be provided to give the water a quicker getaway.
Cr. Gray said he had inspected the Beach Street drain, and he did not spend three days in doing so. If it was considered necessary to attach blame to someone he might as well blame the Frankston riding councillors. He was not going to do so, although there was a motion put on the books two months ago authorising them to inspect the Beach street drain.
SOME time between Friday evening and Monday morning an entrance was effected by some person or persons into the Frankston State school.
Lockers and drawers were forced open, and the contents scattered about the floor. It is not known exactly how an entrance was effected, but it is surmised that either a window or door was not securely fastened and once inside the building a thin person could easily get through a hole in the head teacher’s office door where the keys of the other lockers are kept.
It is not known what really has been taken, but it is believed that only about 1/3 rewarded the thieves.
When interviewed on Monday the head teacher (Mr. J. D. Jennings, B.Sc.) said that apparently the intruders were after money as they had lifted out of his box a very valuable microscope and left it on the table; also a case of mathematical instruments and a gold locket. The matter has been placed in the hands of the local police officers, and it is hoped that the perpetrators will be speedily found.
WE are requested to notify the general public that where the main entrance to a building is, via the recognised pathway from the street thereto, more than twelve feet from the street the building faces, a letter box must be provided on the street alignment in such a position as to allow the postman to deliver correspondence therein from the street.
However, where the main entrance door is twelve feet or less, a slot for the reception of mail matter must be provided in the front door; or if a slot is not provided at box must be erected on the street alignment in the same manner as before described.
This regulation has been framed to meet the increasing demand for early delivery of correspondence by postmen, and it is imperative that householders and others should assist with this.
The regulation comes into force as and from July 1, 1924, and when the foregoing paragraphs have been given effect to, delivery of mail matter will have to be taken at the post office under the conditions applicable to “Poste Restante” correspondence or through a private letter-box thereat.
MR. P. O. Gray, who has been appointed to the Frankston post office in place of Mr. Emerson, commenced his duties this week.
RAY Baxter, the popular young footballer, has received an offer from both the Melbourne and Geelong football clubs to play with them during the forthcoming season.
However, Ray has decided to stick to Frankston.
Frankston Police Court
Tuesday, April 15. Before Messrs. P. Wheeler (chairman), C. Gray and J. Brown, J. P.
H. Gale was charged with having driven a vehicle after sunset on 22nd March without a light. There was no appearance of defendant, who was fined £2 in default seven days.
H. J. Kendall was charged with riding a motor cycle at an excessive speed, which was dangerous to the public.
The chairman said this was a most dangerous practice and must be stopped.
Defendant was fined £3.
J. Mitchell was charged with being drunk. Fined 5/-.
Two cases of not sending their children to school a sufficient number of times were dealt with, and fines of 2/6 in each case were imposed.
Several debt cases were also dealt with and orders made for the amount claimed with costs.
A case of being under the influence of liquor while in charge of a motor truck was also dealt with, it being pointed out that the defendant was not driving but was trying to effect some repairs. Fined £2 and 10/- costs.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 16 & 18 Apr 1924
