General, Sir John Monash, Personal Files Book 21, 3 October - 24 November 1918 - Part 3

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Subject:
  • Documents and letters
Status:
Open for review
Accession number:
RCDIG0000638
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 8

CHY OF MELBOURNE N e 2. TE5 No. 29 Ftank Staplep, Toro Abapor, 1917-18. MINUTES Spechal Meetng of Ciy Counch HELD ON WEDNESDAY,944 OCTOBER. 1918, AT TWELVE OCLOCK NOON. TO BE CONFIRMED AT MEETING OF THE COUNCL TO BE HELD ON 28TH OCTOBER. IO18. PRESENT: The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor; Aldermen Bunton, Cabena, Crichton, Davey, Gardiner, and Sir Henry WVeedon ; Councillors Aikman, Allen, Atkins, Bell. Brunton, Cockbill, Crespin, Cuscaden, Davidson, Elliott. Ferguson, Gardiner, Hardy, Levers, Morell, Panris, Shillabeen, Smith, Swanson, Thonemann, Treadwell, Ward, and Westley. Apologies for non-attendance were reseived from Aldemmen Si David Hennessy and Jeffries. FIRST ORDER OF THE DAY ELECTION OF LORD MAYOR. PRESIDING OFFICER, APPOINTMENT OF--The Council proceeded, in accordance with the provisions of the Act 6, Vic. No.7,to the appointment of a Member of the Council to preside at the election of Lord Mayor: Resolved, on motion of Alderman Sir Henry WVeedon,seconded by Councillor WVard- That Alderman Burton beappointed the Presiding Offcer.
SORUTINEERS,AFFouvrR vrov-Ihe Cbunclals poceeded tothe appoinment ofwo Scrutineers at such elect members of the Counch to bbe the d by Counc ard, seconded by Councillor Smich-That Aldemmen Davey and Sir Henn don beapp Scrutineers. Aldemman Davey dechned to act Moved by Councillor Aikman, seconded by Councillor Swanson - That Alderman Gardinen beappointed. oved by Councillow Ward, seconded by Councillor Alen- That Alderman Davey be appointe pon a ballot being taken, a majority of votes was found to be in favor of Alderman Gardine Aldemmen Gardiner and Sir Henry WVeedon thereupon took their seats with the presiding offcer cwih the YOR, ELEOT Councd to l provisi u theof ttwent paed hi¬ vere fou uing year, su r a e eee Minutes. Minutes of meetings: of 23rd September were confrmed on moton of Councillor Alen, seconded by Councillor levers. Minutes of meetings of the several Committees were also laid upon the Council table. Correspondence. CLERKI CI S OFFICE, QUESTION OF APPOIVTME ENT OF-I Dat from Saplors' and ng Secretary Returne ers Asso Soldie aniegan addtüonal cderk inthe geane Engim Reports. mittee. Counch Publie Works EMiort brought up the Reports of the Pubüc Works Commi Vos. 181 to 100 Neallh Committee--Coumcinkor Smich browght up the Reports of the Piealth Committee, Nos To5 Fhance Cr -Counchhor Bell brought up the Reports of the Finance Committee, Nos. 72 Markets Committee. — Councillor Parris brought up the Report of the Markets Committee, No. 60. Ltbee Corummtt Generc ikman brought up the Report of the iLegislative( age Committ Nackne Councillor Morell brought up the Report of the Hackney Committee,) ply Commitee. Akderman Cabena brought up the Report of the Electic Supply iittee, No. I14. sand Catt! s Commitee -- Councilor Parris brought up the Reports of the Abattolr battoirs an arkets Committee, Nos. 39 and 40. ind Bathe Commätee. — Councillor AHen brought up the Reports of the Town Hah Saths Commnittee, Nos 60 and 61. Parks and Gardens Commüttee.- -Alderman Sir. Henry Weedon brought up the Reports of the Nos. 44 and 45. Parks and Gardens Comn Reports severally received,and ordered to be taken into consideration with the Orders of the Day owhich they relat Orders of the Day. oUßLIC wORKS. COMMITTES- SECOND ORDER OF THE DAY. ACCOUNTS-Resolved, on motion onded by Councillor nending payment of a egten i n t e ono Works sportof the beadop oiAS77Is THIRD ORDER OF THE DAY. o An or aoe ncillor Gardin Dtange of the folowing Gen derer et the Pubho Works Commmlttee, No. 182, r mending ac Extension of drain,Smühfeld-road, £306--The Standard Quanies Ltd, the costto be charged against loan moneys provided by Finance Commuittee, be adopted. FOURTH ORDER OF THEDAY. Yyor--Resobe: TRAVANCORE ESTA CEOF TI on möh Thatth ort of the Publo Works Committee, No. 183, red e e e n aene e e eoe bowing te Construchon of stormwater drain on Travancore estate, Flemington, £670- HHam Lord, cost to be cha against the Committees estimates, as provided by Finance ee, and the balan e paid by the owner of the estate (Mr. Henry Madden), be R FIFIH ORDER OF THE DAY IDDITIONAL--Resolved, on motion of Councillor EHII e In Domain-street Three 200-watt lamps. be adopted. SIXTH ORDER OF THE DAY REET, ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER TO! LAYGHSON iVING IV-Resolved. of nded by Councillo or Cockbill- mars or Elliott, s e Pubho Mttee, No. 185, mend S e e n e e corme midee s estinates obe charged agai¬
SEVENTH ORDER OF THE DAY. iTIG OHS, PURCHASE OF--Resolved, on motion of Councillor EHiott, seconded Ae Eu Brunto ot the ranee o 186, asa ey plac pils, rep em oen e ee 12 mon Engine Oll, 80cases, at 4d. per gallon naor 4) Mesrs Ramsay Tregand otor On GE gade saa a re gehen gra avy On (BB frases at5e te 24 Repmme Ol Co. Grease (dark), I2 cwt, at 2Is. 9d per cwt. [3— Vacuum Ol Co. Pty. andrecommending approval, be adopted. EIGHTH ORDER OF THE DAY USE IN-Resolved JRCHASE OF SANITARY lt modon Nor En the e e Aoped NINTH ORDER OF THE DAY a ee e erding . beador TENTH ORDER OF THEDAY CLERK IV CTTY ENGINEERS OFFICE, APPO OF-Up on of the mitte wich the us Se proposals Moved by Coumcillor Elliott seconded by Councillor Smith-Thatthe Report beadopted. nt moved by Councillor Bell, seconded by an Sir Henry Weedon-That ee he e e ene ee with the viev der consideraton being given Amendment put and negatived. DIVISION THEREON. Ayes-73 - Aldern and Sir Henry WVeedon; Coun s Aikman, vers, Thoean Treadwell, and Bell, Cockbill, Crespin,( s15- The Right Honorable dand, der Cabena andb y;Councillo Alderneren, Pardis, Sm ins, Bruntonn, Elliott, Fergus Swanson, an Moton thereuppon put and carried. ELEVENTH ORDER OF THE DAY STONE F PURCHASE OF-Resolved, on motion of Councillor Elli oworks e ) years reguirern e necesary for maintenance work, be Motion of which Notice had been given. nwurg ENERAL er 3 UNDER HIS e oie Henyy hesplendid care Sohn Mo sst e. this Coun de proud of the galim ops under Sir o at Gallipo purt. Bapaume, Pozieres, Hamel a herein France. s Counch re sts the Le or to cable to the distinguished ctory i ogs e eng wil play a dsünguishd and, s and anal of heart norable pa Moton putand canried. POSTPONEMENT OF REMAINING BUSIESS. Resolved,of of Alderman Sin y Weedon, seronded by Councllor Crest business o ders of ihe Day Nos Twebveg Driuy etm Adjournment The Counch adjourned at L.S0 oclock pm, the members present being: The Right Honorable the Lord Miyor; The Lord Miyor-elect; Aldermen Burton, Davey, Gardiner, and Si Henry WVeedon; Councillors likman, Alen, Atkins, Bell, Brunton, Cockbill, Crespin, Cuscaden, Davidson, EHiott, Ferguson, Gardiner, Hardy, Levers, Morell, Panis, Shillabeer, Smith, Swanson, Thonemann, Treadwel, Ward, and Westey T. GEO ELLERY, TOWN CLERK. TOWN HALL, MELBOURNE, Sth October, 1918. Modern Prinding Ca Fty, Lid, 19 te 23 Ledennter eireet Mielhe- Mos
Gergn Sint Samat Sa Tremah V65 U) Gommardng Austaea Ur Soh 10
Stiute ligh e dt tett A.Rirgte Sitnidlid + 5.1.2. 5? And now one word about Australian Headquarters and the man who is acting for the moment as a kind of Commander-in-Chief--- General Monash. I found the General a man of no remarkable height or physical display, but a finely well balanced personality with a head of singular strength and virility and intelligence, and with a good sense of humour. I found him with a capacity for explanation and terse description almost dnique: -- no fumbling, no lack of logic or subtilty and with a most striking memory. One noticed that his staff had profound respect for his ability, and I never heard a word of criticism of his powers or fitness from any source whatever. He is a Jew, and though the: Israelite; is not generally believed to be hazardously courageous, it is well known that General Monash is as brave as he is able. It was due to him that Amiens was saved and Mont St. Quentin taken,for he held out at first at Amiens till supported, and he:took Mont St. Quentin against the: belief of all who knev the place: Let credit be given where it is due: It seemed so strange to think that this scientific engineer in civil life: should be what he is in military life, a true soldier with the imagin- ation which big men must have: if they are really to succeed, with a soldierly instinct and a gift for making that instinct a successful and powerful agent of Imperial purpose: Is it not curious to remember that the most socialistic people in the Empire, -- the Australians --are as Imperial as the most conservative Briton, and does it not speak worlds for our system of Colonial Government that we can give men their civic freedom, and yet hold them by ties of duty and belief and affection only in the, days of our tribulation ? Such men as Gerald Monash rightly interpret the spirit of their fellow countrymen, and combine a flashing subtilty with a sense of houmour.
"When will the war be over, General, will it be over this year"? I asked daringly for I had it in mind that a high placed official in the: British Army had said it would be over in January of next year. sct "Oh! remarked the General with , this year's war will be over on Dec. 31st." and so escaped from committing himself; but I gathered nevertheless that he did not think that the war would bejover by January 1919. Here was the man who had great affairs to deal with, and who was in the midst of a prodigious military movement,pausing to talk just before: we said goodbye with a charming, high-placed Australian about school-days and doings with the simplicity of a boy. And that is characteristic of the Australian: he is simple and natural even at the biggest moments of his endeavors, living up truly to British custom and no doubt improving There were no signs of flurry in General Monash or in any of on it. the officers of the Australian forces that I saw. They were no ascetics, and the General could empty a plate with the same calmness and gusto that he would send a division into action and watch its certain success. I regret that I could not have spent more time with éeneral Monash, but every moment of our conference had in it the spirit of a live; fearless, intelligent soldiery, and I left him with a greater faith than ever in the:indomitable future of our Imperial Army. In this the world is now believing, and properly believing, and what Great Briton has done: in all parts of the world is at last impressing our worst critics. It has won from old enemies like the French and the Americans the due meed of praise, for France and the U.S. would both have been lost at the very beginning of the war had it not been for the British Navy.
Major Genera! J.MONASH,
e Vie T6/FITE SNIDERS and ABRAHAMSPS Ud. Cigarand Cigaret? Manufacturers Sole Proprietors of the follow- ing high class brands of CIGARETTES MILO KINGSOWN PETER PAN STANDARD CIGARS ESCUDO CLUBHOUSE PANDORA ARISTO Special Lines made up for the Trade. 270 Lonsdale St. Melboume oscoeauut

187
CITY OF MELBOURNE

No. 29
Frank Stapley, Lord Mayor, 1917-18.

MINUTES

OF

Special Meeting of City Council

HELD

ON WEDNESDAY, 9TH OCTOBER, 1918,

AT TWLEVE O’CLOCK NOON

TO BE CONFIRMED AT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL TO BE HELD ON 28TH OCTOBER, 1918.

PRESENT:

The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor; Aldermen Burton, Cabena, Crichton, Davey,

Gardiner, and Sir Henry Weedon ; Councillors Aikman, Allen, Atkins, Bell, Brunton, Cockbill,

Crespin, Cuscaden, Davidson, Elliott, Ferguson, Gardiner, Hardy, Ievers, Morell, Parris,

Shillabeer, Smith, Swanson, Thonemann, Treadwell, Ward, and Westley.

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Aldermen Sir David Hennessy and

Jeffries.
FIRST ORDER OF THE DAY.
ELECTION OF LORD MAYOR. 

PRESIDING OFFICER, APPOINTMENT OF.-The Council proceeded, in accordance with the

provisions of the Act 6, Vic. No. 7, to the appointment of a Member of the Council to preside at

the election of Lord Mayor :

Resolved, on motion of Alderman Sir Henry Weedon, seconded by Councillor Ward-That

Alderman Burton be appointed the Presiding Officer.

 

188

SCRUTINEERS, APPOINTMENT OF.-The Council also proceeded to the appointment of two

members of the Council to Ibe the Scrutineers at such election.

Moved by Councillor Ward, seconded by Councillor Smith-That Aldermen Davey and Sir

Henry Weedon be appointed Scrutineers.

Alderman Davey declined to act.

Moved by Councillor Aikman, seconded by Councillor Swanson-That Alderman Gardiner

be appointed.

Moved by Councillor Ward, seconded by Councillor Allen-That Alderman Davey be

appointed.

Upon a ballot being taken, a majority of votes was found to be in favour of Alderman

Gardiner.

Alderman Gardiner and Sir Henry Weedon thereupon took their seats with the presiding

officer.

LORD MAYOR, ELECTION OF.-The Council then proceeded, in accordance with the

provisions of the 35th Sectiion of the Act No. 178, to the Election of a member of the Council to fill

the office or LORD MAYOR for the next Municipal year :

At twenty minutes past twelve o'clock p.m. the Presiding Officer placed his ballot card in

the box, and, the whole of tthe members of the Council not being present, the ballot remained

open for an hour, at the exxpiration of which the votes were found to be in favor of Alderman

William Whyte Cabena, Allderman for Bourke Ward, who was thereupon declared elected, and,

as the Lord Mayor-elect forr the ensuing year, subscribed declaration of his intention to accept

the office of Lord Mayor off the City.

Minutes.

Minutes of meetings; of 23rd September were confirmed on motion of Councillor Allen,

seconded by Councillor Ievers.

Minutes of meetings of the several Committees were also laid upon the Council table.

Correspondence.

CLERK IN CITY ENGINEER'S OFFICE, QUESTION OF APPOINTMENT OF-Further letters

from Sailors' and Soldierrs' Fathers Association and Acting Secretary Returned Sailors and

Soldier's Imperial League, relative to the proposed appointment of an additional clerk in the City

Engineer's Office.-Taken into consideration with the Tenth Order of the Day.

Reports.

Public Works Committee. -Councillor Elliott brought up the Reports of the Public Works

Committee, Nos. 181 to 190 inclusive.

Health Committee.-Councilllor Smith brought up the Reports of the Health Committee, Nos. 105

and 106.

Finance Committee.-Counciillor Bell brought up the Reports of the Finance Committee, Nos. 72

to 76 inclusive.

Markets Committee.-Counccillor Parris brought up the Report of the Markets Committee, No. 60.

General Purposes and Legisllative Committee.-Councillor Aikman brought up the Report of the

General Purposed and Legislative Committee, No. 19.

Hackney Carriage Committtee.-Councillor Morell brought up the Report of the Hackney

Carriage Committee,, No. 56.

Electric Supply Committee.-Alderman Cabena brought up the Report of the Electric Supply

Committee, No. 114.

 

189
Abattoirs and Cattle Markets Committee.-Councillor Parris brought up the Reports of the

Abattoirs and Cattle Markets Committee, Nos. 39 and 40.

Town Hall and Baths Committee.-Councillor Allen brought up the Reports of the Town Hall

and Baths Committee, Nos. 60 and 61.

Parks and Gardens Committee.-Alderman Sir. Henry Weedon brought up the Reports of the

Parks and Gardens Committee, Nos. 44 and 45.

Reports severally received, and ordered to be taken into consideration with the Orders of

the Day to which they relate.

Orders of the Day. 
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE-

SECOND ORDER OF THE DAY.

ACCOUNTS.-Resolved, on motion of Councillor Elliott, seconded by Councillor Smith-

That the Report of the Public Works Committee, No. 181, recommending payment of accounts,

amounting to £4,377 1s. 11d., be adopted.

THIRD ORDER OF THE DAY.

STORMWATER DRAIN, SMITHFIELD-ROAD, ACCEPTANCE OF TENDER FOR EXTENSION OF-

Resolved, on motion of Councillor Elliott, seconded by Councillor Gardiner-That the Report of

the Public Works Committee, No. 182, recommending acceptance of the following tender :-

Extension of drain, Smithfield-road £506-The Standard Quarries Ltd.,

the cost to be charged against loan moneys provided by Finance Committee, be adopted.

FOURTH ORDER OF THE DAY.

STORMWATER DRAIN, TRAVANCORE ESTATE. ACCEPTANCE OF TENDER FOR.-Resolved,

on motion of Councillor Elliott, seconded by Councillor Smith -That the Report of the Public

Works Committee, No. 183, recommending acceptance of the following tender :-

Construction of stormwater drain on Travancore estate, Flemington, £670-

William Lord,

half the cost to be charged against the Committee's estimates, as provided by Finance

Committee, and the balance to be paid by the owner of the estate (Mr. Henry Madden), be

adopted.

FIFTH ORDER OF THE DAY

LAMPS, ADDITIONAL.-Resolved, on motion of Councillor Elliott, seconded by Councillor

Atkins-That the Report of the Public Works Committee, No. 184, recommending that authority

be given for the erection and lighting of the following additional public electric lamps, viz.:-

In Domain-street             ..           Three 200-watt lamps.

be adopted.

SIXTH ORDER OR THE DAY.

BOURKE-STREET, ACCEPTANCE OF OFFER TO LAY GILSONITE PAVING IN.- Resolved, on

motion of Councillor Elliott, seconded by Councillor Cockbill-That the Report of the Public

Works Committee, No. 185, recommending acceptance of the offer of the Sim Paving and

Roofing Company to take up the existing Westrumite paving in Bourke-street and lay in lieu

thereof Gilsonite paving 2in. in thickness, at a total cost of £1,067 11s. 4d. (less a sum of

£380 2s. 10d. forfeited to the Council under the original contract with the American Westrumite

Co.), to be charged against Maintenance in the Committee's estimates for the current year, be

adopted.

 

190

SEVENTH ORDER OF THE DAY.

LUBRICATING OILS, PURCHASED OF.-Resolved, on motion of Councillor Elliott, seconded

by Councillor Bruntton - That the Report of the Public Works Committee, No. 186, informing

the Council that, as a matter of urgency, they placed orders for lubricating oils, representing a

12 months' consumpttion, as follows, viz.:-

 

Approx.

Total Cost

  

Heavy Engine Oil, 80 cases, at 3s. 4d. per gallon ..

Cylinder             "     10 casks, at 4s. 4d.        "            .. 

Refrigerator      "       3    "        at 3s. 10d.       "            ..

Light: Motor Oil (E grade), 8 cases, at 4s. 9d. per gallon

Medium      "       (A grade), 3     "       at 4s. 9d.         "

£106

    87

    23

    15

      6

Messrs. Ramsay and

Treganowan

Medium Heavy Oil (BB grade), 6 cases, at 5s.        " 

Heavy Oil (B grade), 12 cases, at 5s.                           "

Dark Marine Oil, 12 cases, at 3s.                                  "

     12

     24

     14

 Neptune Oil Co.
Grease (dark), 12 cwt., at 21s. 9d. per cwt.                 "      13

-Vacuum Oil Co. Pty.

Ltd.,

and recommending approval, be adopted.

EIGHTH ORDER OF THE DAY.

PUBLIC CONVENIENCES, PURCHASE OF SANITARY PAER FOR USE IN.-Resolved, on

motion of Councillor Elliott, seconded by Councillor Brunton - That the Report of the Public

Works Committee, No. 187, informing the Council that they have placed an order with the

Modern Printing Co. Pty. Ltd., for the supply of sanitary paper, for use in the public

conveniences, representing six months' requirements, at a total cost of £96 17s. 6d., and

recommending approval, be adopted.

NINTH ORDER OF THE DAY.

ST. KILDA-ROAD, LIGHTING OF.-Resolved, on motion of Councillor Elliott, seconded by

Councillor Cockbill - That the Report of the Public Works Committee, No. 188, submitting

revised schedule showing proposed amended scheme for the more efficient lighting of St.

Kilda-road, at the annual cost for lighting of £1,068, and recommending approval thereof,

subject to agreement with the South Melbourne Council, and that authority be given to proceed

with the work accordingly, be adopted.

TENTH ORDER OF THE DAY.

CLERK IN CITY ENGINEER'S OFFICE, APPOINTMENT OF.-Upon consideration of the

Report of the Public Works Committee, No. 189, submitting memorandum in connection with the

appointment of Clerk in the City Engineer's office, and recommending adoption of the proposals

contained in such memorandum :

Moved by Councillor Elliott, seconded by Councillor Smith- That the Report be adopted.

Amendment moved by Councillor Bell, seconded by Alderman Sir Henry Weedon-That

the Report be referred back to the Committee with the view to further consideration being given

to the claims of officers on active service.

Amendment put and negatived.

DIVISION THEREON.

Ayes-13-Aldermen Burton, Gardiner, and Sir Henry Weedon ; Councillors Aikman,

Bell, Cockbill, Crespi n, Cuscaden Davidson, Ievers, Thonemann, Treadwell, and Westley.

Noes 15-The Right Honorable the Lord Mayor; Aldermen Cabena and Davey ; Councillors

Allen, Atkins, Brunton, Elliott, Ferguson, Gardiner, Hardy, Morell, Parris, Smith, Swanson, and

Ward.

Motion thereupon put and carried.
ELEVENTH ORDER OF THE DAY.

STEEL STONE FORKS, PURCHASE OF-Resolved, on motion of Councillor Elliott, seconded

by Councillor Gardiner-That the Report of the Public Works Committee, No. 190, recommending

acceptance of the offer of S. Cohen, Sons & Co., to supply 12 dozen 10-tine Steel Stone Forks,

at 10s. 7d. each, equivalent to two years' requirements necessary for maintenance work, be

adopted.

 

191

Motion

of which Notice had been given.

LIEUTENANT-GENERAL SIR JOHN MONASH, K.C.B., AND AUSTRALIAN TROOPS UNDER HIS

COMMAND, CONGRATULATIONS TO.-On behalf of Alderman Jeffries, Alderman Sir Henry

Weedon moved, pursuant to notice, and the Right Honorable the Lord Mayor seconded -

That this Council expresses its great admiration of the splendid career of Lieut-General Sir

John Monash, K.C.B., V.D., Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Troops on Active Service in

France, and desires to place on record its appreciation of him as a Victorian and an intrepid

military leader, whose skill, resourcefulness, and valor have earned for him an everlasting fame

in the Great European War, now happily ending in the triumph of Righteousness and the cause

of the Allies.

Furthermore, this Council feels proud of the gallant Australian Troops under Sir John

Monash's command, who have won a world-wide and imperishable renown at Gallipoli, in

Mesopotamia, in Palestine, and Bullecourt, Bapaume, Pozieres, Hamel, and elsewhere in France.

And this Council requests the Lord Mayor to cable to the distinguished Australian

General its fervent expression of heartfelt wishes for a glorious and final victory in which the

Australian Heroes of every rank will play a distinguished and honorable part.

Motion put and carried.
POSTPONEMENT OF REMAINING BUSINESS.

Resolved, on motion of Alderman Sir Henry Weedon, seconded by Councillor Crespin-

That the remainder of the business on the Notice Paper (Orders of the Day Nos. Twelve to Thirty

inclusive) be postponed until next meeting of the Council.

Adjournment.

The Council adjourned at 1.50 o'clock p.m., the members present being : The Right

Honorable the Lord Mayor ; The Lord Mayor-elect ; Aldermen Burton, Davey, Gardiner, and Sir

Henry Weedon ; Councillors Aikman, Allen, Atkins, Bell, Brunton, Cockbill, Crespin, Cuscaden,

Davidson, Elliott, Ferguson, Gardiner, Hardy, Ievers, Morell, Parris, Shillabeer, Smith, Swanson,

Thonemann, Treadwell, Ward, and Westley.

T. GEO. ELLERY,    

TOWN CLERK.

TOWN HALL, MELBOURNE,

 9th October, 1918.
Modern Printing Co. Pty. Ltd., 18 to 32 Leicester-street, Melb.-106265

 

Boronia

Lieut. General, Sir. J. Monash K.C.B., V.D

Commanding

Australian Army Corps

9/10/18

 

37

Rec - 10/10/18

These two pages are what has to be

Submitted to G. H. 2.

G.P.

And now one word about Australian Headquarters and the man who is

acting for the moment as a kind of Commander-in-Chief----- General

Monash. I found the General a man of no remarkable height or physical

display, but a finely well balanced personality with a head of singular

strength and virility and intelligence, and with a good sense of humour.

I found him with a capacity for explanation and terse description almost

unique :-- no fumbling, no lack of logic or subtlety and with a most

striking memory. One noticed that his staff had profound respect for

his ability, and I never heard a word of criticism of his powers or fitness

from any source whatever. He is a Jew, and though the Israelite is

not generally believed to be hazardously courageous, it is well known

that General Monash is as brave as he is able. It was due to him

that Amiens was saved and Mont St. Quentin taken, for he held out at first

at Amiens till supported, and he took Mont St. Quentin against the belief

of all who knew the place. Let credit be given where it is due. It

seemed so strange to think that this scientific engineer in civil life

should be what he is in military life, a true soldier with the imagination 

which big men must have if they are really to succeed, with a

soldierly instinct and a gift for making that instinct a successful and

powerful agent of Imperial purpose. Is it not curious to remember that

the most socialistic people in the Empire -- the Australians -- are as

Imperial as the most conservative Briton, and does it not speak worlds

for our system of Colonial Government that we can give men their civic

freedom, and yet hold them by ties of duty and belief and affection only

in the days of our tribulation ? Such men as Gerald Monash rightly

interpret the spirit of their fellow countrymen, and combine a flashing

subtilty with a sense of houmour.

 

"When will the ware be over, General, will it be over this year"?

I asked daringly for I had it in mind that a high placed official in the 

British Army had said it would be over in January of next year.

"Oh! remarked the General with houmour ^satire, this year's war will be over on

Dec. 31st. "! ! and so escaped from committing himself ; but I gathered

nevertheless that he did not think that the war would be over by January

1919.

Here was the man who had great affairs to deal with, and who was in

the midst of a prodigious military movement, pausing to talk just before

we said goodbye with a charming, high-placed Australian about school-days

and doings with the simplicity of a boy. And that is characteristic of

the Australian: he is simple and natural even at the biggest moments of 

his endeavours, living up truly to British custom and no doubt improving

on it. There were no signs of flurry in General Monash or in any of

the officers of the Australian forces that I saw. They were no ascetics,

and the General could empty a plate with the same calmness and gusto

that he would send a division into action and watch its certain success.

I regret that I could not have spent more time with General Monash, but

every moment of our conference had in it the spirit of a live, fearless,

intelligent soldiery, and I left him with a greater faith than ever in

the indomitable future of our Imperial Army. In this the world is now

believing, and properly believing, and what Great Briton has done in all

parts of the world is at last impressing our worst critics. It has won

from old enemies like the French and the Americans the due meed of praise,

for France and the U.S. would both have been lost at the very beginning

of the war had it not been for the British Navy.

 

Photo - See original document

Major-General J. Monash,

C.B., V.D.

 

[[Per?]] Vic - 18/5/18

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ESCUDO CLUB HOUSE

PANDORA ARISTO

Special Lines made up for the

Trade.

270 Lonsdale St., Melbourne

O & CO. PRINT 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Jo-Anne GJo-Anne G
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