RIVERTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1583, 25 March 1882, Page 13

RIVERTON.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRBSPONDBNT.) March 21st.

The weather Bince my last has chanced from summer to winter ; but luckily our holiday passed over without any rain, although it threatened very much. On Monday it rained off and on all day, and in the evening we had a very violent thunderstorm. St. Patrick's Day, tho 17th March, was observed here as a general holiday. The first thing on the list was tho champion sculling match, for a gold medal and £10 a-aide. Tho competitors were Harrington and Boniface. The outriggers used were both imported, and were perfect in everything. I think they weighed about 401b each. They were made in the same style as the one that Trickett rowed the championship of the world in ; but, I believe, of the two Harrington's boat is the best. Both men have met before ; but Harrington always had the best of it. He held the medal before the race, and if he holds it now 12 months longer it becomes his property. The race started at 11 o'clock, tho course was about four miles, and the time about 23 minutes. Harrington led off, and was never passed, coming in winner by about 200 yards. The next diversion was the County of Wallace Jockey Club races. There were eight races, all of which were well competed for. Oar Eiverton horse Paddy ran second for tho Cup, and won tho District Handicap. I told you in my last that our horses hero would take something to wipe them out; so I was not far astray. There were three or four spills, one of them being a serious one. A lad named Harvey, having come into contact with one of the poles, he was thrown from his horse, and before he could recover himself the next horse, coming up, struck him on the head, inflicting a nasty wound. He was removed at once to the Hospital, where he remained unconscious till noxt day, when he regained his censes. ,He is now in a fair way of recovery. Everything passed ,off quietly, there being not oven a "drunk" to answer to his name noxt morning. Next came the bazaar in aid of tho Roman Catholic Church. There was a debt owing on tho building of about £200, and about five weeks ago it was announced that a bazaar was to bo got ready by the 17th March. The matter was left in the hands of Mrs Galloway and Mrs Taylor, and they immediately set to work, the rogult being that tho affair was a perfect; success, something over £100 being raised towards Clearing off the debt. Too much praise cannot be given to the ladles of other denominations, who not only gave goods but also assisted in clearing them off again. The bazaar was opened at half-past 2by our worthy Mayor (Mr Mills), who, after a few appropriate remarke,- declared the bazaar open for business. It shows the good feeling that exists between the different denominations in Riverton to see them ono and all assisting tto clear of! the debts of their churches, and I trust it will always remain so. There was a brisk business done all tho forenoon of Friday and also on Saturday, when it was brought to a close by Mr P. Grant holding an auction sale of all goods Jeff; unsold. The Courthouse was burnt down on the 15th. It is still a mystery how it got on fire. It seems that the last person known to have been inside was the magistrate, who left about 9 o'clock. Different people had passed the building between 1 and 2, and about 3, i as a lad was proceeding to work, he saw a flame through the window, when he immediately gave the alarm. From this it will be seen that six solid hours intervene between the time that the magistrate left until the lad saw the flame. There is no one living »n that side of the road but the postmaster, and he did not Bleep in the post-office that night, having shifted hlB family two or three days before owing to alterations In the building. On the other side is thepolice camp, about two and a-haU chains away. How the fire I originated no one can even give a guess at. I suppose there will be an inquest, when some light may bo thrown on it. . . , Our Liberal Association, although only started some little time ago, la still adding to its members. The | rules and regulations of the Dunedin Association have been received, and I believe the secretary has called a meeting for Saturday night to consider them. There is no doubt that a great many members will attend, as the infection seems to have been caught by the working class hero. I Bhall attend the meeting and see how things go, and give some particulars in my next. The Licensing Bench hare come out of their shell and had a meeting. There was no business of importance done, and they adjourned till the 13th June for the granting or refusing of licenses. I hear that Mr James Hay, of Jocob's River, received i a smack from one of his young bulls on Sunday last.. ' The bull gave him some roughhandling. I believe he broke one of his ribs and hurt hia shoulder, but the wounds are fortunately not of a serious nature, so I suppose we shall Bee Mr Hay about again in a day or two. 1 forgot to mention that Mr A. Clode, of the Railway Hotel, got a nasty blow from a lemonade bottle on the day of the races. It seems that one of the barmen had a dispute with a man over some change ho was giving him, when, without any provocation, the man took up a lemonade bottle and threw it at the barman. He missed him, but Mr Clode was not so lucky ; he was just in the act of turning round for something when he caught it full in tho face, giving him a very nastj wound. 'As a court case will eventuate, I refrain from saying anything more about the 'affair till after the trial. I saw Mr Clode this morning, and I think in a few days ho will be all right again— minus half a dozen teeth which he has lost by the transaction. There is nothing now from Round Hill or Orepuki. Tho railways works are in full swing, and are progressing favourably.