RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 19460, 27 January 1925, Page 8

RIVERTON NOTES

PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE. MONTHLY MEETING. (From our Correspondent.) | The monthly meeting of the Riverton Progressive League was held on Friday ■ evening, when there were present: Mr E. 18. Gee (chairman), and Messrs J. Craw- ; ford. Kerr, G. Dickson, J. A. Martin, H. [ Philp, H. Johnstone, A. E. Willett, J. In- ! stone, F. Ashley, P. Bell and Dr. Gordon. I Apologies for absence were received from I Messrs R. Wilson, and W. S. Hunter. i James Ingram, secretary Mataura School committee, wrote stating that the picnic i would be held at Riverton on January 28. ! He asked if the League would make the . necessary arrangements for procuring hot I water for the excursionists.—The chairman ■ said all necessary arrangements had been i made, and be hoped they would enjoy the i outing.—Received. ; Wm. Cochrane, Roxburgh, wrote stating : he was . thinking of starting in Riverton as : a violin teacher, and asking the League for its support.—He intimated that he had been teaching for some time.—k was dei cided that thd chairman and secretary reply • to the letter. Leonard Paterson, secretary Waikaka School committee, wrote stating that the picnic would be held at Riverton on January 29. He asked to be supplied with all particulars as regards hot water and milk. There would be about 600 excursionists.— The secretary intimated that particulars had been forwarded.—Action confirmed.

Chief Postmaster, Invercargill, wrote stating he was in receipt of a petition in which the citizens of Riverton were protesting against the alteration in the postal delivery service between Riverton, and Waipango. When tenders were called, no tender on due date was submitted by present contractor. As there was only one tender, and it was of a composite character the Department had no alternative but to accept it. The retention of the present service time-table, cannot, therefore, be considered. In order to meet the convenience of the settlers concerned, he had arranged with the incoming contractor to convey a daily mail to and from Gummie’s Bush and Waipango, commencing on 2nd prox. This is the best arrangements that can be made.—Letter received.

j The manager Fleming & Co., Invercargill, wrote stating the firm was pleased to note ! that the fence and seats were now complete l on their sector, and to have been able to { contribute in some small measure in improv--1 ing that portion of the town. They in- | tended planting trees in the proper season : to provide shade at the back of the seats. — Received.

i The secretary, Waianiwa School comI mil tee, wrote intimating that they intended ; holding their picnic at Riverton on Februj ary 6 th. They would arrive by motor , service. The writer wished to be supplied I with particulars regarding hot water.— i Luft with the secretary. ! The secretary, Riversdale School, intim- ! ated that the picnic would be held at Riverj ton on Friday, February 13. He also asked for all particulars re hot water. —Left : in the hands of the secretary.

j The Railway Department, Invercargill : wrote intimating that the seaside trains were ; being run every Saturday, also giving the I fares from various stations.—Dr Gordon ! considered the running of Saturday trains I was ridiculous, and was not likely to pay. j Had the Department decided on Sunday ■ there was every probability that they would ■ be liberally patronised by those who were I obliged to use the service. There were j many who were unable to get away on | Saturday, as Wednesday was the half- ! holiday in Invercargill. He noticed by the ■ daily Press that Sunday trains were to be j given to the Bluff, and why was the experiment not tried at Riverton ? He thought the League should make representation to the Department asking them that in the future the seaside service should be changed from Saturday to Sunday.—Mr Willett said when the railway representatives were on a visit to Riverton recently in connection with the proposed alterations to the railway station, the deputation was given to understand that if the citizens desired the Sunday trains they would be given a fair trial.—Messrs Akhurst and Crawford favoured running the trains on Sunday, and were of the opinion that if run on that day the Department would have no cause to complain as regards patronage.—lt was

eventually decided to write the Department, asking them in the future to run the service on Sundays. J. J. Hodgson, Riverton, wrote drawing attention to the need of a water supply.— Mr Martin said the idea of a water supply

was a good one. The climate seemed to be changing, and householders w'ould have to erect additional tanks if similar conditions continued. It had been said that the Borough Council should take the matter up, but, as a member of that body, he could tell them that finance was the trouble. They were greatly concerned at present over the bridge, which was going to cost the ratepayers some money. When that was settled, and the roads put in an efficient state of repair, the Council would, in all probability , go into the question of a water supply.— No action taken. —-Other Business.— Mr Crawford reported that as the result of the sale of hot water at the recent regatta, the League netted the sum of £l3 odd. Dr. Gordon said the League should have some recognised place and some one appointed to give all necessary information, as regards site, places of interest, the Pourakino trip, etc. The numbers of visitors were yearly increasing, and Riverton was becoming very popular as a seaside resort. In conversation with a visitor he had told him (the speaker) that they possessed one of the finest places imaginable. The visitor was in a position to speak authoritatively, for he had visited all the chief watering places in the world, and he advocated advertising the facilities offered there. He (the speaker) thought they should have a tourist bureau where all information could be obtained. Mr Martin agreed with the previous speaker. People came to the town, and they were at a loss to know where the information could be had. Photos of different places of interest should be found in all hosteleries. This was the custom in the North Island.—Mr H. E. Philp said the time was ripe when they should boost their town. No one had done more to advertise the place than the late Mr T. R. Carroll. In the railway carriages scenes of different parts of the Dominion were strongly in evidence, and he thought they should get busy and have some of the local beauty spots added. Another thing he would Like 'to bring up, and that was applying for a grant for further snagging the Pourakino.—Mr Crawford announced that he would undertake to give all necessary information to visitors and would also act as bureau agent, without remuneration. —This statement was received with applause, Mr Crawford being suitably thanked.

Mr Martin intimated that the dining tables up the Pourakino had disappeared, and something should be done to have them re-erected.—Left in hands of the chairman.

Mr Philp said they should make application to the Government for a grant for snagging the Pourakino. He moved that they apply for £lOO for the work.—Mr Martin seconded the motion, which was carried.

Mr Johnstone said as the Governor would shortly be paying a visit to Invercargill the League should endeavour to get him to pay a visit to Riverton. —Left in the hands of the chairman, with power to act. Attention was drawn to damage done to shelter sheds on the North shore, and it was decided to offer £lO reward for the conviction of any person damaging or defiling same.

Mr Martin drew attention to the trees on the old railway cutting in South Riverton. He said an accident had been narrowly averted in the locality, through the trees obscuring the view of the motorists. The road was narrow at that point, and they

must guard against accidents. He did not approve altogether of removing trees which were an ornament, but if topped that would answer the purpose.—Mr Willett said the trees hid the view of motorists when taking the hill, and they should be removed, or, if not, lowered. They must protect the public.—A short discussion followed,, and it was decided that the trees remain in the meantime.

A discussion followed on the condition of the Riverton—Orepuki road, and it was decided to take steps to have Ward’s road improved, the member for the district, the Wallace County Council, and the Orepuki League to be written to regarding the matter.

After transacting some minor business, and passing accounts amounting to £5/19/2, the meeting adjourned. HERE AND THERE. GENERAL NEWS ITEMS. After a spell of dry’ weather, rain commenced to fall on Sunday morning, and although welcomed by many, it was not sufficient for requirements. The ground is at present dry and hard, and before any impression can be made it will take 24 hours’ fall to soak in. With the prospects of a wet day, many holiday seekers remained at home on Sunday, and did not venture out to the seaside. Nevertheless, there was a fair crowd on the beach, while some from the Eastern District made the Pourakino trip, and returned delighted with the voyage up the beautiful river. —Rowing Activity. All the local crews were out on Sunday, despite the rain, and should give a good account of themselves at the Invercargill regatta on Wednesday. They have shown considerable improvement since the local fixture and, all going well, should annex a fair share of prize money. —The Bowling World.— The Aparima Club challenged their opponents across the river for the Senior Stars on Friday evening. The green was in good order, and after a good contest, Aparima was defeated by eight points, the scores being: Riverton (Hall, Patrick, Bailey and Beer), 25; Aparima (Philp, Hill Rouse and Little), 17. —The Crops.— Several crops in the Thornbury district have been cut, and are now under cover.. A good return is expected, and the owners are lucky to have them secured before wet weather sets in. Considering the weather, the turnip crops are looking well generally, but grass is going back, and if rain does not come soon, several factories will be obliged to close down earlier than usual. —Matriculation.— Miss May Fordyce, daughter of Rev. J. Fordyce, Riverton, and a pupil of the Otago Girls’ High School, has received official notification that she has gained her matriculation and solicitor’s general knowledge certificate. —Fishing.— The ketch Lilly is being overhauled and painted and being got ready for sea. She is to be engaged in carrying fish from Half Moon Bay to Bluff. —Damage to Property.— At the last meeting of the Progressive League indignation was expressed at the way some people defile the shelters and otherwise damage property. It is a pity some of these miscreants cannot be caught and made an example of. Their practices may appear funny to themselves, but are a source of annoyance and expense to the League, who have done, and are still doing, much to provide necessary buildings for the convenience of townspeople and those who come on a holiday to our shores. —Horticultural Society.

The Horticultural Society’s Show is to be held on the 24 th and 25th of next month, and the Committee is making great preparations for the event. The schedule will be issued shortly, and those who intend competing should secure a copy. The canvassers (Mesdames Mooney, Baxter and Mr E. Stevens) have been very successful, and there is. every indication that the prize money will be increased. The spell of dry weather may cause many of the flowers to be past their best, but some good exhibits will be forward, both in the flower and vegetable sections. It is expected that the school sections will be liberally patronised, as many of the teachers in the country schools have signified their intention of beng among the competitors.

—To Advertise the Province.—

The Progressive League has had a number of folders printed, which they intend forwarding to all schools and places where the tourists may see them. The folders are too small to be of much service, and the plates are very indistinct. The printing was done in Dunedin, but why Southland was overlooked it is hard to say. Much better work has been turned out by those engaged in the trade in Southland, and it would be advisable in the future to give work of a like nature to those residing in our own province. —Painful Accident.—• A nasty accident happened to Mrs D. Macdougall on Monday morning. When returning from the shop to the kitchen she tripped and fell heavily to the floor, her arm going through the glass door in the passage. Medical aid was soon at hand and the injuries attended to, the arm being badly damaged. —Visit to Port Craig.— The launch Wairuna left for Port Craig on Saturday, and returned on Monday morning. She had as passengers two officers of the State Forest Department, who made the trip on business. The arrival of the boat was a fortunate happening for one of the employees at the mill, who had been injured a week ago through a horse falling on him in the bush. The unfortunate man suffered great agony during the voyage across. Mr W. Ashley, who was present when the boat arrived, promptly conveyed the sufferer to the hospital, where his injuries were attended to. Sawmilling matters are reported to be brisk at Port Craig, where over 100 men are employed. —Bush Fires.— The bush fires which have been burning for some time now in the Longwood seem to be dying out, and a good heavy downpour would put all minds at rest. The mill owners and employees have had an anxious time of late, and as one resident in the locality remarked, “They had enough of heat and smoke to last them a lifetime ”