100 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK...
Captain Bruce’s speech plunged into darkness Compiled by Cameron McCullough PERHAPS no community in the State has suffered greater inconvenience, and annoyance through inadequate lighting than the town of Frankston. The grievance is one of long standing and although repeated assurances have been given that cause for complaint would be remedied the users of electric light are still minus a satisfactory service. The experience at Capt Bruce’s meeting in the Frankston Hall last Tuesday night was not one calculated to reflect credit on the town. When the candidate was about half way through his speech the electric light suddenly failed and the hall was plunged into absolute darkness. Capt Bruce, showing no sign of being disconcerted, continued to address his large audience and his hearers showed approval by encouraging cries of ‘Carry on’. The chairman made the best use of a box of matches, and when these became exhausted someone handed up an electric bull’s eye which served to make the darkness visible. Then Capt. Sherlock endeavored to light the gas jets, but the mantles appeared to be missing and the light did not penetrate further than the stage. It is contended that no blame attaches to the Electric Light Co for the failure on Tuesday night. The theory is advanced that a wire “fused” – a mishap likely to happen to the best regulated supplies. Perhaps this explanation is the correct one. But it is not the first time that audiences in the local hall have had similar experiences and the repetitions is becoming tedious, not to say intolerable.
The Progress Association intend to bring the matter under the notice of the Shire Council. *** MR. M. J. Canny, who has been appointed Outdoor Traffic Superintendent at the Railway Department, is well known in Frankston, and spends much of his time here in the summer months. His many friends offer congratulations on his appointment to such an important post. *** IT is not generally known that Mr. George Shepherd, of Somerville, has submitted his resignation as a justice of the peace to the Attorney-General. His action will be regretted by all who know him and are acquainted with his long and honourable career in the public life of the district. *** THE flags were flying in Frankston on Tuesday to welcome Pte. Bert Wilson who has just returned from abroad, bringing his bride with him. He is a brother of Mrs. D. Pietrie and Mrs. J. Williams. *** MR. James Grice. J.P. (president of the Frankston Agricultural and Pastoral Society ), is anxious that the Lieut.Governor (Sir William Irvine) who at one time represented this district in the House of Representatives, should open the show on the 15th January next. The unanimous wish of the committee was that the ceremony should be carried out by Mr Grice, but in deference to his expressed desire, it is likely that the Lieut.-Governor will be asked to attend the function. *** TONIGHT (Friday) a welcome home to
a number of the boys recently returned from active service will take place at Frankston and tomorrow night a similar function will be held at the Recreation Hall, Langwarrin. *** ON Saturday 6th December a sale of gifts will be opened in the Recreation Hall, Langwarrin in aid of the Church of England Building Fund, commencing at 3 o’clock. In the evening an attractive programme will be submitted to conclude with a dance. See advertisement. *** HIGHLY satisfactory progress is being made by the Frankston Brass Band under the leadership of Bandmaster Blaskett. Practices are well attended and the players are all showing great interest and enthusiasm. New instruments costing something like £30 have been secured and with this addition the equipment is considered to be quite up-to-date. The band’s first appearance in public will be awaited with interest. *** THE monthly meeting of the Seaford progress association will be held tomorrow (Saturday) night when an interesting list of subjects will be submitted for debate. *** LAST Saturday evening a rare musical treat was afforded Frankston residents when the Richmond Presbyterian Church Choir rendered Maunder’s Cantata “Penitence Pardon and Peace” in the Frankston Mechanics’ Hall. The choir consisted of about 20 voices under the direction of Mr H. Da-
BoB Dylan, Roy oRBison, GeoRGe HaRRison, Tom PeTTy anD Jeff lynne caPTuReD THe woRlD wiTH THis music
vis and the principal parts were taken by Miss D. Earle and Mr R. Grant. *** MR J. Wyatt announces that he is commencing business as a butcher at Seaford and solicits a share of public patronage. Mr Wyatt who has erected new concrete premises on the main road near Howell’s Stores, intends running the business on up-to-date lines, and will stock small goods of every description as well as dairy produce. *** MR. James Grice presided at the fiftieth annual meeting of the Old Colonists’ Association of Victoria, which was held in the Town Hall on Monday last. At a special meeting prior to the general meeting Mr James Wright was elected as a trustee in place of the late Mr Herbert Power. Rule 40 of the association was amended so as to give donors of cottages prior to November 23, 1893 the right of nomination similar to that enjoyed by donors after that date. Messrs James Grice, Bland Holt, T. H. Payne, C. Salter and W. G. Sprigg, the five councillors, were re-elected. The balance sheet showed that the permanent and endowment funds amounted to £45,000 and from other sources the association would benefit to the extent of £20,000. It was stated that the association had invested in the Commonwealth War Loans. *** NOW that water is being supplied to the naval base Flinders, the Water Commission has been able to concentrate on the supplies to towns that will be served by the Mornington Peninsula scheme.
It is probable that the main parts of the reticulation along the foreshore from Frankston to Mordialloc, and also, at Mornington will be ready for use before the close of the summer. The commission is now considering the advisability of meeting the requests for an extension of the scheme to a number of towns beyond Mornington. Preference, however, will be given to those centres where the local authorities have already agreed to take supplies. The chairman of the commission (Mr Cattanach) stated on Saturday that the scheme when completed will be one of the most extensive urban systems of supply. It will embrace twenty townships divided by long distances, but drawing supplies from the one source. The Bunyip River and its neighboring creeks are showing splendid flows, and there is no doubt that in the head waters there is a supply that will serve the present population of the Peninsula many times over. *** ON Monday last Frankston was visited by a large party of railway officials, including Mr Gilchrist, Chief Engineer, and Mr Moloney, Metropolitan Superintendent, who inspected the Frankston station and yards in connection with the electrification of the Frankston line. It took four motor cars to accommodate the draftsmen, and other members of the staff attending the officers above named. A stop was also made at Seaford where it is proposed to construct a sub-station. *** FROM the pages of the Mornington Standard, 28 November 1919
Attention Schools, sporting clubs & community groups
AVELING WILBURYS the music of THE TR
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Frankston Times
26 November 2019
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