RIWAKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 25 November 1938, Page 2

RIWAKA

SOCIAL AND DANCE SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION MR C. F. SKINNER M.P. AND MRS SKINNER WELCOMED (From Our Own Correspondent] At a social and dance, held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, last evening, an official welcome to Riwaka was tendered to the member for Motueka, Mr C. F. Skinner, and Mrs Skinner and family by about 150 residents. The hall was decorated for the occasion, with red, white and blue streamers; and on the stage were tastefully arranged bowls and vases of sweet peas and Arum lillies.

Spirited music for the dancing was supplied by Mr E. Tong and Mr 11. Stebbings officiated as M.C. At intervals between dances Messrs Howard Fowler, C. Gard and Miss T. Barnett rendered popular selections on their guitars, Mr Benny Morgan gave a clever entertainment entitled the “Magic L'an and Misses Jakauui Moigan and Ruiha Bailey delighted the audience with l‘oi dances, with guitar accompaniment (Messrs H. Fowler, C. Gard and B. Morgan). The spontaneous applause with which the items were greeted indicated how much they were enjoyed by the audience. Games, organised for the young folk, also found favour with the older patrons and created much merriment. Mr J. Martin, chairman of the Riwaka branch of the Labour Party, in extending a welcome to Mr and Mis C. F. Skinner and family, said that it might be news to some people to know that Mr Skinner’s grandmother was one of the first white children to be born in the Motueka district, 91 years ago. Prior to her marriage she was a Miss Goodman. Mr Martin expressed the hope that Mr and Mrs Skinner’s stay in the district would be of many years' duration. The electorate Mr Skinner represented was unique in that it embraced the timber, iron and cement industries as well as all the agricultural pursuits found ia other

parts in New Zealand. He thought that the locality in a few years would be one of the most prosperous in the Dominion. Mr Skinner was part and parcel of a great co-operative government and had a great work to carry on. ,

Mr A. Rowling, president of the Motueka L. R.C., in associating himself with the welcome, said he believed that Mr Skinner had won the Motueka seat for Labour through his personality and the way in which he had conducted his election campaign. Mr Rowling extended sincere thanks to all those who had helped the L.R.C. prior to and throughout the campaign.

Two little girls—Betty Creswell and Janice Duncan—at this juncture presented Mrs Skinuer with a beautiful bouquet of roses.

Mr Skinner, in returning thanks for the splendid welcome Mrs Skinner and he had received, said that the more he saw of Riwaka the better he liked it. He had visited most parts of New Zealand but did not think the people of Riwaka realised what a wonderful locality they were living in. He would, he said, be quite happy to spend the rest of his days in Riwaka in furthering its interests. In reference to what Mr Martin had stated in respect to the expansion of Onekaka, it was, said Mr Skinner, the hope of everyone that Onekaka would go ahead ; and, personally, he believed the iron works would be built and that the place would progress. Should the deposit of ore at Onekaka come up to expectations there would arise a city as large as Nelson, and the whole district would benefit. The Motueka electorate was rich in minerals. Every mineral found in New Zealand could be found in this electorate, as well as all types of farming including some unknown to other parts of the Dominion. He was confident that the organisation built up in the Motueka electorate had been responsible for winning the seat for Labour. Thanks, he thought, were due to those who had paved the way in previous elections and had made sacrifices to help. Included among them were Messrs Mark Fagen, P. C. Webb and It. J. L. York. Mr Skinner expressed the hope that the social that evening, would be the first of man yto follow. Mrs Skinner and he would be always pleased to attend. He added that his object in life would be to justify the friendship that had been extended to them.

Musical honours were accorded the guests of the evening and three hearty cheers enthusiastically given.

PRESENTATION TO POLLARD AND R. CRESSWELL

Mr Skinner said he had, on behalf of the members of the Riwaka branch of the Labour Party, a pleasing function to perform —the presentation of gifts to Mesdames Pollard and. R. Cresswell in appreciation of their services in regard to funds for the campaign, and for the splendid way they had worked in connection with the formation of the Riwaka branch.

Messrs Pollard and Creswell suitably replied on behalf of their wives.

Mr Martin announced that an apology had been received from Mr K. J. Holyoake, who was unable to attend, as he was at present in Wellington.

A delicious home made supper was dispensed by the ladies’ committee and a very happy evening concluded shortly after midnight with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem.