COUNTRY NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 19278, 24 June 1924, Page 2

COUNTRY NEWS

RIVERTON A PIONEER PASSES. (From our Correspondent.) One of the links conecting Riverton with lhe old gold mining days was severed on Saturday by the dsath at Round Hill of Lye-Yep, commonly known as “Dukie.” He was a venerable old Chinaman, who was known to practically every person in Riverton and also to a great number in the Western District. Lye-Yep came to this district about 50 years ago, at the time when the railway to Orepuki was being constructed. After gold was found in the Longwoods and a number of his countrymen had congregated at Round Hill, Lye-Yep started to pack the supplies in from Riverton by packhorses. Then after the railway to Orepuki was opened, he packed the supplies in from Colac Bay. He continued this up till two or three years ago. Since then he used to bring vegetables to Riverton by means of two Chinese baskets earned on the balancing pole, as the custom of the Chinese is. He had been ailing for the last six weeks, and on Saturday morning he passed away. He was interred in the Riverton Cemetery on Monday. Lye-Yep, at the time of the founding of the Riverton Hospital, did a great amount of work in canvassing the district and also collecting for the Hospital. This quaint figure will be greatly missed from the streets of Riverton. WINTON. OPENING OF RADIO THEATRE. (From our Correspondent.; The Radio Theatre which has just been completed, was officially opened by Mr P. de la Perrelle, M.P., on Friday evening last, the occasion being the combined Jockey and Trotting Clubs’ ball. Mr Perrelle in his remarks, said that it gave him great pleasure to officially open the fine and commodious building, which was henceforth to be known as the “Radio Theatre.” Some three years had elapsed since Winton possessed a hall suitable for the present or similar functians, and the need of such a building was greatly felt. About 12 months ago the Winton Borough Council considered the question of erecting Municipal Offices, and Town Hall, and although the money could have been borrowed at the time, the rate of interest on the £BOOO, which was the amount required, was regarded as likely to be too heavy a burden on the ratepayers and the proposal was dropped. No prospect of a suitable hall being built then appeared to be forthcoming, but the Misses Thomson undertook the erection of the present theatre, which was *2ot only a credit to them, but also a boon to the town. He heartily congratulated the Misses Thomson on their enterprise and felt sure he was expressing the sentiments of the people of both the town and district, when he hoped that they would be handsomely repaid for their heavy outlay. The dimensions of the building were: Hall proper, 116 feet by 52 feet; gallery (equipped with folding chairs and capable of accommedating 200 people), 20 feet by 52 feet; stage, 20 feet by 52 feet (including two anti-rooms each 10 feet by 14 feet). The Hall was capable of accommodating 1200 people and when finally completed would be second to none outside the large centres. This was the opinion of Mr Porter of Wellington, who had visited other halls in many parts of New Zealand. The workmanship w . first-class and reflected great credit on the contractor, Mr Norman Nicholson, and his staff. Mr E. Fletcher Roberts, the engineer for the building, was also deserving of special mention. Mr Perrelle then declared the theatre open and called for three cheers for the Misses Thomson, which were given with a will.

Miss C. Thomson, on behalf of her sisters and herself, in a neat reply, said that she desired to thank Mr PerrelTe and those present for the kind wishes expressed, which they much appreciated. They looked upon a building of the kind as essential for an important town like Winton, and hoped that the theatre would serve the requirements of the town for many years to come. Above all they thanked those present fcr their good wishes for the future of the Hall and trusted that the interest taken in the work from its commencement and the enthusiasm shown that evening would be maintained. They would then be fully recompensed. Miss Thomson’s remarks were warmly applauded. KENNINGTON. -PADDY’S MARKET’.” (From Our Correspondent.) On Wednesday last a very successful ‘Taddy’s Market” was held at Kennington in aid of the local school funds. For some weeks an energetic committee had been canvassing the district, with the result that the various stalls had their entry lists full with produce, pigs, poultry, and, in fact, most of the things one would expect to find for sale at a “Paddy’s Market,” even in the Emerald Isle.

The market was officially opened in the afternoon by the Rev. Mr Thomson, who, during a short and humorous address, outlined the objects for which the market had been organised. Good business was done during the afternoon, and in the evening session, the hall was filled to overflowing. During the afternoon and evening proceedings were enlivened by the following vocal and dancing items: —Songs, School Children;. sword dance by Misses V. Crosbie and B. Diack and Master N. Diack; song by Mr W. Neas; Seann Triubhais and Irish Jig, Miss V. Crosbie; song by Mr D. F. Leckie. Piper J. Murphy played for the dancing, while Miss V. Rose and Mr Horder were at the piano. Besides the stalls, competitions, with entry fees from one penny upwards, and games of skill, afforded plenty of variety and interest to patrons. The following comprised the Market Committee and helpers: —Chairman, Mr B. J. N. Clarke; joint secretaries, Messrs G. Hender son and D. F. Leckie; tea-rooms, Mesdames G. Henderson and W. Dawson, Misses Moncur, E. Henderson, E. Lyall, N. McLew, A. Henderson; quoits, Messrs R. McLew and W. Dawson; dart-throwing, Mr Wm. Swale; sheep-guessing, Messrs G. Warren and A. McLean; produce stall, Mr A. Bulling; sweets’ stall, Mesdames W. Philpott and G. Warren; sewing and jumble stall, Mesdames Mclntyre and Philpot; surprise packets, Misses M. Clarke and G. Parry and Mr W. Neas; nail-driving, Mr A. Hain; bran dip, etc., Miss Winnie Robertson; scallywag, etc., Miss Eva Robertson; candlelighting, Messrs G. Henderson and Hain; bean-guessing and wool-winding, Miss Mona Henderson; doll competition, Miss B. Peters; boys’ competitions, Messrs W. Moncur and L. Lyall; Dutch auction, Messrs A. Hain and Swale. The takings for the afternoon and evening amounted to £65, which will leave a profit of some £52, with which the School Committee, aided by the Education Board a-übsidy, will be enabled to carry out proposed improvements to the school, the gjx'unds, and the teacher’s residence.