Riverton.

Southland Times, Issue 4860, 11 February 1884, Page 2

Riverton.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The inhabitants of this district hare been thrown into a state of -excitement" for some days past owing to a leprous Chinaman being brought ■ into their midst. It had been known for some time back that there was a case of leprosy at Round Hill, and permission was asked of the Hospital Committee to Jbiave the man removed to that institution. This was naturally enough refused, owing to the nature of th© disease. Nothing more was thought of the matter until a few days ago, When it was found that he had been brought to a cottage at the north end of the town, through the action of the County Council, they having, through their chairman,tried to obtain his admission to the Dune.-* din Hospital, without success. A cottage was then engaged , on the Native Reserve,the leper being removed to it on Monday last. It is needless to say that the affair has caused a deal of indignation among the householders living in the neighborhood, and unless some steps are taken to. meet the difficulty it is the intention of some of the parents to remove their children from school ; so as to avoid their coming into contact with children living near the cottage in question. One little fellow has already been boycotted because he cut some firewood for the unfortunate Chinaman. V ;' The Salvation Army appears to be making groat headway in this district, crowds of people flocking from all parts to their meeting. The Sunday evening- service is: never attended by less than 400 persons. The converts to the cause number over 80, some very noted characters having joined the ranks. The procession through the town last Sunday was quite an imposing sight, being composed of the prisoners captured here within the last two or three weeks. A Bible class in connection with' the army has been started, and is well attended by the converts. Despite their many failings they appear to have done some good during the short time they have been stationed here, and if they continue as they have begun we shall have no reason to complain of their advent. ' v. Professor Lio Medo has just concluded a very successful trip here. On Saturday evening his lecture was. but poorly attended — people, doubtless, putting him down with the usual run of phrenologists that infest the up-country towns. Tha few that were there, however, spoke in such high terms of his elocutionary powers, ibe., that a good house was the result on Monday night. The Professor is, without doubt, the best lecturer in his own special line that has ever stood before a Riverton audience. On Thursday and Friday he appears at Orepuki, returning to Invercargill next week ; after which he intehr's giving another lecture here with readings from Dickens. 6th February, 1884.