MR Mark Williams, who for many years acted as handicapper to the Frankston Athletic Sports Club, was the victim of a stupid joke at the A.N.A. sports on Monday last.
In a spirit of jocularity, a man pointed a starter’s revolver at Mr Williams and pulled the trigger.
Luckily, it contained only blank cartridges. However, the cartridge exploded and the wad hit Mr. Williams in the right eye.
It is feared that he will lose the sight of the eye.
As “The Age” says, the same thing has been done so often with such lamentable results that it is hard to imagine how any sane person with any worldly experience could perpetrate so stupid a joke without thought.
***
THE many friends of Mr Barber senr will be pleased to learn that he is making a satisfactory recovery after the recent operation he underwent for appendicitis.
***
A FAIR amount of excitement was caused on Saturday last, when the first aeroplane to land in Somerville alighted in Mr Arthur Thornell’s paddock.
It was piloted by Captain Fullarton, who started business right away.
Passengers were soon forthcoming, quite a number of residents making the 10 minute trip especially on the Sunday, when one enthusiastic local “flighter” made four ascents!
It is said that over £40 was netted by the aviator.
***
THE slump in the wholesale prices of fruit has somewhat affected the industry here. This is expected, however, to be temporary only.
Most growers are cool storing their early fruits awaiting better returns.
***
QUITE a number of properties have changed hands in this district, resulting in the advent of fresh citizens to our growing community.
***
W. Clarke, the Young Street butcher, supplies sides mutton at 8d per lb – prime mutton too.
***
THE War Service Homes Commission are about to erect a war service home in Craigrossie Street, Mornington.
***
AT a recent general meeting of the Tyabb Methodist Bible Class, the Rev C. Angwin, on behalf of the members and friends, presented a chaste silver teapot to Miss Lily Thornell on the eve of her marriage, and wished her every happiness in her new sphere.
***
AT the recent Quarterly Meeting of the Frankston Methodist Circuit at Tyabb, reference was made to the death of Mr J. J. Corlett and his long and honorable connection with the circuit, and sympathy was expressed with members of the family.
The quarterly Methodist report also makes the following reference to the late Mr Corlett:— “He was a fine type of a Christian gentleman. He belonged to a class of men and women, our indebtedness to whom we cannot too highly estimate, whose memory we cannot too much honor the pioneers of our church.”
***
IN conjunction with Brody and Mason, on Saturday last, Arthur Tuckett & Son, the Melbourne subdivisional experts, conducted a subdivisional auction sale on the Warringa Estate.
The attendance was not very large, owing doubtlessly to the excessive heat, but several attractive blocks were sold at satisfactory prices.
Warringa Estate is situated in the same locality as the Baxter and Plummer’s Estate – on one of those lofty elevations rising from the Mornington Road and overlooking the widest expanse of Port Phillip Bay.
***
THE secretary, Mr L. Prosser, states that the Frankston Orchestral Society has decided to admit honorary members on payment of 5s – entitling members to all performances given by the Orchestra.
It is proposed to give musical programmes in the Melville Rotunda on Sunday afternoons and evenings, weather permitting, as soon as the rotunda is ready for use.
Two professional artists, Messrs Cowan and Goodman, with Messrs Ings and Bawden, have been added to the musical strength of the Orchestra.
***
MR A. J. Ross, of Brunswick, who won the £75 event the last Frankston Sports, ran unplaced in the principal event at Kyneton on Monday last.
But Mr A. J. Davis, who performed only moderately here, captured the Sheffield Handicap at the A.N.A. sports on the same date.
Mr J. J. Healy, whose sensational race with Mr H. R. Smith in the 220 yds event at Frankston, will long be remembered, won the principal race at the Warragul meeting.
The nippy Carlton cyclist, Mr A. Abrahams, who had a spill at Frankston, won the A.N.A. Wheel Race whilst Mr A. D. Box (the winner of the wheel double at Frankston two years ago) filled a place on two occasions.
***
AS reported in “The Standard” last issue, the Royal Hotel, Hastings, has changed hands, the price paid for the lease running into substantial figures.
The new boniface is Mr Joseph Jacobson. Mr Jacobson comes to the Hastings district with a good business and personal reputation, and in welcoming Mr and Mrs Jacobson to the district, we take the opportunity of wishing them every success in their new undertaking.
The late licensee, Mrs Mary Dalton, has returned to Melbourne to reside.
***
FOR some time past, we have heard complaints made to the effect that the Somerville district was somewhat neglected by “The Standard” in the matters of news.
This has not been entirely the Editor’s fault, as great difficulty was experienced in getting the services of a suitable correspondent.
Fortunately, we have now secured the services of one of the most widely respected gentlemen in the district to act in that capacity, and we feel sure the arrangement will be mutually satisfactory to the Somerville people and ourselves.
A prominent Balnarring resident has also decided to contribute district notes at intervals, so that in future with the local correspondents at Seaford, Langwarrin, Hastings, Tyabb, Crib Point, Moorooduc and elsewhere spurred to activity, the readers of “The Standard” in the neighboring district should be exceptionally well catered for in the way of news.
***
MR E. Barrett writes: – Will you kindly give me space in your widely circulated journal to make a brief reply to the letter from the Somerville Branch of the R.S.S.I.L.A. published in your last issue.
In reply, I have to say that no one would regret more than I should any remark of mine be construed into casting a reflection on those who fought for our country or those who kept the “home fires burning,” and I thank the Somerville Returned Soldier’s League for giving me the opportunity of saying that my remark was never meant to convey that meaning.
Cr Murray’s “well-known sentiments” had led him to try and show that Cr Oates, who was elected to the position by a big vote, should not sit on a Repatriation Committee.
My remark was made with the object of showing how dangerous it was to throw bombs at your enemy from a glass dug-out – even though you make your advance from behind the respected name of Returned Soldier.
***
FROM the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 4 February 1921
First published in the Mornington News – 9 February 2021
