Compiled by Cameron McCullough
DURING the Great War of 1914-18 many soldiers – typical Britishers in every sense of the term – found themselves on the “mat” facing the O.C. and his tribe.
Incidentally, it may be mentioned that on Thursday night last, at the Frankston Palais, some of the local councillors were forced to face the music on another kind of mat before a righteously indignant body of representative ratepayers.
Further, and while the conflagration in the European area was making history, Court Martials were of frequent occurrence. Sometimes it transpired that an astute N.C.O., in defence, cited King’s regulations, non-existent.
“Good luck to him,” exclaimed his comrades-in-arms, because it was realised that in the actual field of hostilities he played the game and went “over the top” with the rest.
On the evening under present review, none of the civic fathers, one of whom, Cr. Oates, boasts upon every conceivable occasion that he has been fifteen years in office, i.e., approximately 5475 days too long; got over the top of what constituted a record audience of their past misdeeds.
No, they went under, and had to retire to a dug-out. The prologue to the first act was presented by the president of the Shire (Cr. May) who at the commencement of the proceedings explained the specific objects for which the meeting had been convened by him in response to a requisition, signed by fifteen prominent ratepayers.
Naturally it had been anticipated that when the Shire President read the requisition in question, he would leave it to “John Citizen” to appoint a chairman. However, and to the very evident amazement of the ratepayers, he asked the various speakers to adhere to facts and to refrain from personalities.
He (Cr. May) did not know who the selected speakers might be, but would leave the meeting in their hands.
In support of his claim to preside, Cr. May did not quote King’s regulations.
Had he done so George the Fifth might have kicked. Instead, and as will be seen hereinafter, it fell to the task of a medium, notably Mr. Joseph R. McComb – the party machine candidate for municipal honours last August, but who was defeated by a returned soldier (now Cr. Pratt), when he went over the top with a thumping majority – to cite a clause in the Local Government Act, apparently in order to block the issue at stake, and the reasonable demand of those present that the meeting be conducted from the chair by an independant ratepayer.
The mere fact that Mr. McComb showed himself to be prepared, at the psychological moment, to spring to his feet like a Jack-in-the-box, and quote a portion of the Act, would appear to substantiate the soft impeachment of rehearsed effect.
Of course, it may have been a case of the long arm of coincidence at work, more particularly in view of the chronicled circumstance that Mr. McComb has for years employed his leisure time making, so we are informed, an exhaustive study of the Act, the ruling of which is too often abused at the council table.
But “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” Cr. May with a misguided conception of impartial procedure in the initial instance, flatly contradicted himself when he said: “I will leave the meeting in your hands.”
Ostensibly he crossed the line of demarcation pertaining to the prerogative limitations of a Statute which, in so far as he and his confreres in office is concerned is prostituted at every sitting of the Frankston Council.
Council Vacancy – Resignation Of Cr. Longmuir – Extraordinary Election, 3rd December 1924
The many friends of Cr. Wm. Longmuir, who for several years has represented their interests in the Centre Riding, will regret to learn that, in consequence of indisposition he has, acting under medical advice, tendered his resignation.
Cr. Longmuir was at one period president of the Shire.
Notice is given in our advertising columns that an election of one councillor for the Centre Riding, will be held on Wednesday, December 3rd next, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement from the municipal arena of Cr. Longmuir. Cr. J. Unthank, returning officer, announces that every candidate at such election must be nominated at his residence, “Merrivale” Nursery, Somerville, between the hours of 10 o’clock in the forenoon, and 4 o’clock in the afternoon, on or before the 19th November, 1924.
Personal
The friends of Mr. Underdown will regret to hear that he has taken seriously ill, but trust that he will regain his health in South Australia, where he has gone to recuperate.
Life-Savers! Are You A Dummy ?
The recent sad drowning fatality at Carrum brings home to one the important query: “Why don’t we all take a few simple lessons in the Schafer method of resuscitation?”
We don’t necessarily have to swim to save life. After a fellow-mortal has been brought ashore, someone is needed with a knowledge of practical resuscitation methods. Where are you, dear reader, on such occasions?
Are you ready; fully equipped with even the rudiments of the method, or are you merely a “dummy” who looks on and, in fact, hampers those who do know what to do?
If you are a “dummy” the fault is all your own!
The Royal Life-Saving Society is ready and all too willing to teach you.
See the instructor at the local Life Saving Club. Whether you are young or old, you can do it. He will take you in hand gladly These fine fellows have a passion for life-saving work and they want to make you proficient.
Get busy! Any resident of bayside districts like ours must realise it is his or her duty to be ready for any emergency.
Do it now! See the local instructor or write to the secretary of the Royal Life-Saving Society, Melbourne.
Bereavement Notice
MRS. JOHN JOLLY and Family desire to convey their heartfelt thanks to their numerous friends for deep expressions of sympathy, by cards, letters, telegrams and floral tributes received during, their recent sad bereavement; also to Mr. R. T. Picking (Frankston), Mrs. Watson, of Beach street (Frankston), the Vicar of Frankston (Rev. A. P. McFarlane), and for the unremitting attention shown to his late patient by Dr. Maxwell.
The Late Mr. J. Jolly – A Motion of Sympathy
At the Council meeting last Friday Cr. Gray asked the Shire President to grant a brief suspension of standing orders for the purpose of moving a motion of sympathy to Mrs. Jolly and family in their recent bereavement. The president acceded to the suspension accordingly, and the resolution was put and carried amid an impressive silence.
Oliver’s Hill – Its Dangerous Condition – C.R.B. Inspect
Yesterday Mr. A. E. Callaway, of the Country Roads Board inspected Oliver’s Hill, Frankston. He was accompanied by Cr. Bradbury and Muritz (shire engineer).
Mr. Callaway admitted the truth of Cr. Bradbury’s contention that improvements were urgently required and it is understood that he will commend the Board to expend £1000 on the work immediately.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 12 & 14 Nov 1924
