COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 18970, 18 June 1923, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS

RIVERTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) After a long ani severe illness, Mr Alex. Provan. well-known in bowling circles, passed away at Riverton on Thursday. He was a keen follower of practically every racing club in Southland. He was one of the bowling team v ho visited Britain two years ago, He was a keen breeder of White Leghorn fowls, his stock being well known all over the province. The heartfelt sympathy of a large circle of friends will be accorded his wife, Mrs Provan, and sister, Mrs Rodgers in their sad bereavement. The Rev. C. Webb has received word that the Rev. L. Brocks is indisposed in Dunedin. Only one service was held in the Riverton English Church on Sunday in consequence. The Rev. Fordyce will be inducted into the Riverton charge of the Presbyterian Church on Thursday next. This function will be hailed with delight by the members of the church who have been without a minister for many months. Two accused came*before Mr Jno. Geary, J.P., during the week. One was charged with stealing a saddle at Tuapeka Mouth, and was remanded to Dunedin, and the other, who is a stranger to the town, was convicted of drunkenness and was ordered to leave at once. Rapid strides are being made with the electrification of the Seaside Resorts and by the time this sees print the business portion of the town will be brilliantly illuminated; the wires are practically all erected on the south side and The Rocks, and when the lights are turned on in this area it will be a great boon. A very successful social in aid of the Anglican Church, was held in More’s Hall on Friday evening when, despite the unfavourable weather, there was a fairly good attendance and the Church funds benefited appreciably thereby. Mrs C. A. Gray, who has resigned the Presidency of the Riverton branch of the P.W.M. Union, but who has kindly consented to remain a member of the Union, was the recipient of a gas cooker in recognition of her past valuable services on Friday afternoon. The members assembled in the vestry of the Presbyterian Church and Mrs Patrick, on their behalf, made the presentation, mentioning specially the long term during which Mrs Gray has held the chief position. Mrs Gray, in a few choice remarks, suitably replied, thanking the members for their handsome present and for the kind words expressed. On Wednesday afternoon a hockey match between the Kia Ora Club, (>lac4iay and the Riverton District High School Club was played on the local Recreation Ground. The game was won by the visitors by two goals to nil, and was a very exciting and interesting one. The visitors were entertained to afternoon tea at the school. RIVERTON DISTRICT PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. The Annual General Meeting of the League, held in the Town Hall, Riverton, on Friday evening, was attended by Dr Gordon (President!, Mesdames Gordon, J. Crawford, W. S. Hunter, C. E. Johnstone, H. Johnstone, Misses Hunt and Brown, and Messrs R. Stevens, J. Crawford, J. B. Hunter, W. S. Hunter,. G. R. Berndtson, G. Kerr, T. King, P. Bull, Ashley, D. M. Rae, W. R. McNee, J. A. Martin, A. F. Webb and H. E. Philp. The balance sheet which showed a credit balance last year £164 7/-; receipts £lO6 9/-; expenditure, £259 6/-, and a credit balance at date of £ll 10/ The President in moving the adoption of the balance sheet, said that the very best use possible had been made of the money on hand. He was pleased to see such a large number present. Mr R. W. Stevens, in seconding the motion, supported the Chairman in his remarks, and displayed optimism in connection with the future activities of theLeague. Mr W. S. Hunter, who gave a lengthy and interesting address in support of the League, said he was not satisfied with the attendance. The fifteen members of the executive promised him that they would each bring with them at least five extra persons. Those promises had not been sub stantiated. He had not, at the commence ment of the League, intended to take an active part in its affairs. He, however, hu been converted by the great amount . gcod work which had been done by t)

Otautau Progressive League and which had been detailed by Mr J Wesney, President of that league, at the formation of the Riverton one. He had hoped to convert many by inspiring them as he had been inspired and to greatly increase the membemhip of the League. He deplorefl tba fact that Local Bodies had not worked amiably with leagues in almost all cases, including this League. The objects of tho lieague were to assist in making the town happier, brighter and better for those who reside in it and more attractive to strangers. There are two bodies in Wallace, the Otautau and Riverton Progressive Leagues,

which consist oof the thirty finest puNicspirited people in W T allace and he wished every person in Riverton to join the League and give it his or her support. The following were a samples of the activities of the league. The league were largely instrumental in obtaining:—The visits of the Plunket Nurse, the erection of a pavilion on the Bay Road, the provision of a letter box near the Hospital the installation of a telephone in the goods shed at the Railway, erection of finger posts on main roads, ' the raising of funds for the school by anting with the Bazaar, the re-institution of the District High School, installation of a light at the post office, planting of Marram grass, and the erection of swings and seesaws at the beach and the lighting of thn town by electricity at Easter. Dr Gordon, in vacating the chair, thanked the members of the Executive who had worked so earnestly, very often giving up their half-holiday, on behalf of the League. He would speciaßy thank Mr Jno. Crawford, bon. secretary. Mr L. W. Petr hell, hon. auditor, and the ladies who had aesisted the league. The following office-bearers were elected: —President, Mr D. M. Rae; vice presidents: Messrs E. B. Gee and W. S. Hunter; Executive: Messrs R. W. Stevens, Dr Gordon, J. A. Martin, T. King, H. E. Philip, P. Bell. W. R. McNee, J. B. Hunter, G. Kerr, W. Scobie, Ashley, H. Johnstone, H. Akhurst, J. Black, A. F. Webb, A. McDonald, G. R. Berndtaon. J. Crawford and Rev. C. Webb; Secnetary and Treasurer: Mr Jno. Crawford. Auditor: L. W. Petchell.

A very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Dr Gordon, the retiring President, and this vote of thanks was recorded ia the minutes of the League.