Compiled by Cameron McCullough
ABOUT 3 o’clock on Sunday afternoon, Mr. John Sloan, J.P., of Orrong Road, Toorak, was driving a Benz car along Playne street, Frankston, in a westerly direction, when he observed another car, driven by Mr. Kenneth Harper, from Mordialloc, proceeding eastwards on the Melbourne road.
At the somewhat dangerous intersection the cars collided head on. Both were badly smashed, the estimated damage being £170.
Fortunately, the occupants of the respective cars escaped without sustaining injury.
Later, Mr. Sloan, J.P., made the following signed statement to the local police. “At about 3pm, I was driving along Playne Street in a westerly direction, and saw a car going along the Melbourne Road in an easterly direction. Under the impression that Mr. Harper’s car was going to continue along the Melbourne road, I went over on the wrong side with the full intention of giving Mr Harper’s car a good clearance, and then the latter, turning suddenly, I was too far over to get out of the way of the incoming car. The collision was purely accidental.”
Mr, O. J. Olsen, proprietor of the Frankston Motor Garage, was early on the scene of the accident. He quickly requisitioned two horses, and the damaged cars were quickly taken to his well-known garage in Melbourne Road.
A DEPUTATION, organised by the East Frankston Progress association waited on the Minister of Public Works last Friday, and urged that a special grant be made for the construction of Beach Street.
The deputation consisted of Messrs. Robt. Holt, Daly, Angus, Thomason, Martin, L. J. Ward, J. L. Pratt, Crs. Wells, Gray, Bradbury, McCulloch and Oates.
Owing to the illness of Mr. Jones, Minister for Public Works, the deputation was received by Mr. McNamara, Minister for Mines and Forests.
The Hon. A. Downward, M.L.A., introduced the deputation, and Cr. Oates, who was the first speaker, made it clear to the Minister that the state of the Shire’s finances would not permit of the council undertaking the work.
Mr. R. Holt, president of the East Frankston Progress League, produced two photographs showing the condition of the road, and he graphically described the hardships suffered by residents in the locality.
Mr. L. J. Ward emphasised the fact that the road in question was the main artery to the properties of people engaged in dairying, poultry raising, etc.. It was essential that the producers, should have reasonably good roads, otherwise they would be forced out of business.
Cr. Wells endorsed the views of the previous speakers, and urged the Minister to afford immediate relief.
The Minister, in reply, expressed sympathy with the deputation. He was surprised that an important road, so close to the Frankston railway station, should be in such a deplorable condition.
He promised to place the facts before his colleagues.
CRS. Longmuir and Hutchinson brought under the notice of the Minister the bad state of Jones Road, Somerville.
Cr. Hutchinson said the road had been cut up by the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, and, although that department had promised to effect repairs, nothing had been done.
Cr. Longmuir said an officer of the Water Commission had definitely promised to have the road repaired, and although the council, at his suggestion, had furnished a detailed statement setting out particulars of damage, the matter had been neglected year after year.
The Minister promised to make enquiries regarding the matter.
PERSONAL
Miss Leete, of Malvern, is relieving Mr. P. Wheeler, who, with Mrs. Wheeler, and Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Merrie, of the State Savings Bank, is holidaying in New South Wales.
Mr. Murdoch is the relieving officer at the bank.
We regret to record, the death of Mrs. Bray, wife of Sergeant Bray of Windsor, and late of Frankston. The sad event took place yesterday.
THIS week Mr. Norman Clements, the successful contractor for improving the oval in the Frankston Park, commenced operations, and the whole of the area is now under the plough.
The total cost of improvements to be effected is £350. Of this amount, the Park Improvement Committee has £225 in hand, leaving a balance of £125 to raise from various sources.
In an advertisement appearing in another column, Mr. P. S. McGovern, the hon. secretary, notifies that a public meeting will be held in the Mechanics’ Hall, on Friday next, 22nd inst., at 8 o’clock, for the purpose of receiving suggestions for the best means to be adopted to raise the balance of the funds necessary for regrading and setting in lawn the oval in the park.
Citizens of Frankston will no doubt gladly co-operate in this movement to create a valuable asset to the town, and a large attendance is expected at Friday night’s meeting.
Mr. McGovern requests members of the committee to meet at 7.45 sharp on the night of the public meeting to arrange necessary final details.
A Drawn Game – Frankston v Somerville
In good ,weather the Frankston team journeyed to Somerville on Saturday last. There was a fair attendance of supporters of both sides.
Frankston were without the services of S. Ormsby, Gray Gamble, and A. Bray, while Somerville also had a weak team in the field, and included the genial East Riding councillor and an old-time champion, in the person of Cr. W. Hutchinson, who showed glimpses of his old-time form.
After a great tussle in the last quarter the match resulted in a draw.
The game was rather slow throughout. Frankston never seemed to get warmed up, but the game was fairly interesting, being evenly contested throughout, with the visitors more than holding their own up to half time.
The scores at quarter time were Frankston, 4 goals 3 behinds; Somerville, 1 goal, 4 behinds.
Frankston’s goals were scored by Bert McComb, Kidgell, Johnson, whilst Somerville’s goal was kicked by Thornell.
During the second quarter the goal kicking was very accurate, not a minor point being registered by either side.
G. Keast, for the home team, kicked 3 goals and B. Grant 1; while Frankston’s were scored by Reg Coxwall (2), and W. McComb: the scores at half time being Frankston 6.3 to Somerville 5.4.
After the interval the Somerville boys had the upper hand, scoring 2.1 to Frankston’s 1 point, and the scores at three quarter time were: Somerville 7 goals 5 behinds; Frankston, 6 goals 5 behinds.
The final quarter was played without Somerville adding to their score.
Reg Coxall, in his usual dashing style, kicking the only goal for Frankston.
The visitors were in a goal scoring position when the final bell rang, after only 16 minutes play for the last term, the time-keepers making an error to the extent of about 9 minutes.
The final scores were:
Frankston, 7 goals 5 behinds.
Somerville, 7 goals 5 behinds.
The umpire was very strict on throwing the ball, and Frankston were penalised often for that breach.
From the pages of the Frankston and Somerville Standard, 20 & 22 Aug 1924
