IURP WKH 1HZVSDSHU )LOHV 100 years ago

- The Gazette, October 20 1922 FATAL FIRE

A very old resident of this district named Dinnie Sullivan met a tragic death on 13 October when at about 5 p.m. smoke was seen issuing from his hut on vacant land in Queen Street West, The fire brigade were summoned by the ringing of the bell, but before anything could be done the hut was burnt to the ground. Later on the old man’s remains were found in the debris, and were taken to the hospital morgue.

The old man had become very feeble, and it is surmised that he fainted, or had a seizure and fell into the fire, being burnt to death without regaining consciousness.

BREAKING THE LAW Bar door open

At the Warragul Police Court on Tuesday, 10th inst, before Mr J.W. Freeman P.M., J.B. Laracy of the Commercial hotel was proceeded against by Inspector McCormack for having his bar door open after hours on the 2nd September. Mr Davine defended, and defendant pleaded not guilty.

Constable Higgins gave evidence to the effect that he went to the Commercial hotel about 11 p.m., on Saturday 2nd September, andheard men’s voices inside. While he was waiting, a man sought admittance and when asked who he was, replied, “Jack from Neerim South.”

Witness tried to get in, but the door was closed in his face and locked. Witness saw through the window, and noticed that the bar door was open. He asked defendant why this was as it was after hours. Defendant replied that he was coming out of the bar. Afterward several men left the hotel.

Defendant did not give or call any evidence, and the magistrate said that under the circumstances he had no alternative but to record a conviction. Defendant was fined £7, and £1 costs.

FIRE AT DROUIN

Another disastrous fire occurred in Mainstreet Drouin, last week when owing to the lack of water supply several shops were destroyed. The fire started at about 1 p.m. on Tuesday and resulted in the total destruction of the business premises of Mr Peter Faragher, and the premises, with residence, of the “Independant and Express” printing office, owned and occupied by Misses Brown.

The fire broke out in the Eastern end of Faragher’s buildings , which comprised four shops, two of which comprised four shops, two of which were occupied by the owner as an undertaker’s and an ironmongery and musical instrument shop. The other two were occupied by Mr H. Shadgett, bootmaker, and Mr W.H. Mappin, tailor. A

ll the stock in these shops was lost. The fire spread to the printing office, which was only separated from the other building by 4ft. The whole of the printing plant and stock was consumed. The residence at the rear of the office was cleared of practically all the furniture before its destruction.

Had the town possessed a water supply it is probable that the printing office could have been saved. A bucket brigade did good work at the shop occupied by Mrs Myers as a tearoom, the verandah for which ignited several times. The buildings destroyed were covered by insurance, as were also Faragher’s stock and the plant and stock at the printing office.

THE NATIONAL PARTY

Speaking at Sale on his visit to Gippsland, the Prime Minister (Mr Hughes) said: “The National Party had enjoyed the confidence of the people. It had not gone to extremes or adopted reactionary tactics to put back the hands of time and reduce the wages of workers. On the other hand, they did not agree with the Bolshevists and red raggers, and they stood for the Union Jack and Australian Flag. The great majority of people in Australia had no time for those who did not. The gospel to be preached in this country should be the gospel of work, and high wages were only possible when men did a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay, and were undeterred by outside influences.”

50 years ago

- The Gazette, October 24, 1972

Sun tour car puts us in the field

Warragul Shire has a grandstand view of the 1972 Sun Tour… through the eyes of an official Warragul promotional unit travelling with the field of cyclists and attendants.

The car, a Valiant, has been provided by Hotchkin and Boyer Pty. Ltd.

The presence of a Warragul car in the Sun Tour convoy for the first time adds even greater district interest to the classic cycling event which ends at Warragul Showground next Sunday.

It is the third successive Sun Tour finish at Warragul.

Organisation of the Sunday finale to the event is in the hands of the Shire President, Cr. N.O. Cottrell, who made arrangements for the extremely successful gala finish three years ago.

With the co-operation of sporting groups and other organisations, Cr Cottrel has organised a packed day of activity, ranging from little athletics competition to square dancing, with 100 members of the Victorian Square Dancing Association.

From about midday, the program will provide entertainment for a growing crowd of spectators awaiting the arrival of the Tour riders at about 4pm.

The cyclists will ride 24 laps of the Showground track, with a sprint every three laps.

On hand to greet the winner will be Miss Sun Tour Carnival Showgirl, who will be chosen earlier in the afternoon.

LOCAL GOVT. WANTS “MAN IN CANBERRA”

Municipal Councils throughout Victoria have been asked to support a call for appointment of a Federal Minister for Local Government.

Newly elected president of the Municipal Association of Victoria, Cr S. A. Hawken of Cranbourn, made the call at the Association’s annual conference.

Cr Hawken said he believed the appointment was necessary so that problems of Local Government would always be in front of Federal Government, and the State Local Government would have its views brought to her more positively. He said the move would also go a long way toward ensuring that Local Government in Australia would be given correct priority in all matters - especially in allocation of tax revenue for the services and community benefits.

“Since we have had a Minister for Local Government in Victoria, our ability to work with the State Government has improved tremendously, and because of this we have achieved much,” he said.

“We should show strength with our State Government to get a better deal for municipalities in this - and also support it in its efforts to obtain additional financial assistance.

“This way, we will ensure better living standards for all and the burden being more equally shared.”

Minor injuries

A Dandenong man received minor injuries in a road crash near Picnic Point, Longwarry North, early yesterday.

Gordon Ellis, of Pinewood Ave., Dandenong, received a fractured nose when his car ran off Princes Highway and crashed into a tree.

The accident occurred at about 4am.

Ellis was taken by ambulance to West Gippsland Hospital.