RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 20011, 27 October 1926, Page 10

RIVERTON NOTES

SOCIAL AND PRESENTATION. (From Our Correspondent.) A large number of settlers of Thornbury and district assembled in the Public Hall on Thursday evening, when Mr S. Whelam, who has been acting as clerk at the railway station, and who has been transferred to Oamaru, was entertained at a social and was the recipient of a presentation. Mr. J. B. McLean presided, and after a few well-chosen remarks, called upon Mr Galt to make the presentation. In asking Mr. Whelam’s acceptance of a handsome gold watch, suitably inscribed, the speaker referred to the many good qualities possessed by the departing guest. As a public official, Mr Whelam had won the respect and goodwill of the residents and the farming community at the Junction, and all greatly appreciated the many acts of kindness and consideration shown to those who transacted business with the Railway Department. He hoped the guest would like his new place of abode, and wished him every success. Messrs D. McFarlane, Gill, Logie (station-. master) and C. Webb (permanent way) also spoke in eulogistic terms of the guest. Mr Whelam suitably replied, and a pleasant evening was brought to a close by a dance. SALE OF WORK. The Riverton Theatre was well filled on Thursday afternoon and evening, when the annual sale of work in connection with the P.W.M.U. and Ladies’ Guild of the Riverton Presbyterian Church was held. In the absence of the pastor, Mr E. C. ITewat, 8.A., opened the fair. He congratulated the ladies on the fine display of work, and said that their excellent exhibition pro ed conclusively they had not been idle during the past few months. With the money raised from the sales the different schemes of the church received substantial assistance. In this way missions— Home, Foreign, Maori and the Orphanage—have been greatly benefited. Their annual donations are materially assisting to build up a fund ■ be applied to the erection of a Sunday School and hall. For special objects such as these, apart from the maintenance of the regular church ordinances, special methods, of raising money are perhaps necessary. At any rate the church owes a deep debt to the ladies’ organisations for their steadfast ai)d continued support to missions and benevolences. He would therefore declare the sale open. Business was brisk, and the results are highly gratifying to the members of the Guild, the Girls’ Guild and Busy Bees. The various stalls w r ere presided over by the following: Hain stall—Mesdames J. Kerr, H. E. Philp and E. B. Patrick; Girls’ Guild—Misses Robertson and Armstrong; produce—Mesdames Alex. Provan and J. Crawford; cakes, Mrs G. 0. Cassels; sweets, Mesdames R. N. Wilson and Strang; flowers —Mrs Guise and Miss Scobie; dips—Mrs Alfred Evans; tea rooms —Mesdames H. Calder, W. Scobie and Williams; competitions—Mrs W. Armstrong, Messrs Crawford, Templeton and Little. In the evening a very fine programme was given, there being plantation songs and choruses by members of the choir, pianoforte duet by Misses Marjory Reidie and B. Thompson, solo by Mr R. N. Wilson, violin solo and a recitation by Mr W. Cockburn. quartette by Misses Southberg and Robertson, Messrs Wilson and Scobie, violin solo. Mr George Dickson. The accompaniments were nicely played by Mrs Anderson, Miss Robertson and Mr Gavin Dickson. A playette was also staged, the portion being taken from “The Rivals.” Those taking part were: Misses Southberg. Houston, Todd a- J L. Bell, and at its conclusion the performers were greeted with loud and hearty applause. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. A committee meeting of the Horticultural Society was held in the Town Hall on Friday evening, when there were present: Mr W. A. Scobie (in the chair), Mesdames C. E. Johnstone, S. Ladbrook, A. Gilchrist, H. J. Walden, W. Baxter, Miss Hunt and Messrs J. Robertson and John Geary. The chairman said as regards the dates of the show, that the committee would do well to thoroughly consider the matter before definitely coming to a decision. The season was a late one, and it might be, as well to hold the gathering later this time. Last year the show was held on March. 2 and 3, but the general impression appeared to be that date would be hardly suitable. Mrs. Johnstone thought it would be advisable to hold it on the second Tuesday and Wednesday in March. t Mr. Robertson stated that in former years their annual gathering was held on a Wednesday and Thursday, and these days seem - 1 ed to suit patrons better. In the past, he understood, some difficulty arose over the hall being engaged but, if the management of the theatre were prepared to let them have it on the Wednesday and Thursday this year, he thought the days should be altered. The season was a late one, and an earlier date was impossible. He moved that the show be held on the second Wednesday and Thursday in March*—Mrs Gilchrist seconded the motion, which was carried. It was decided to leave the present account in the post office, and the chairman, treasurer and secretary were empowered to attend to all labour accounts. A short discussion took place with reference to wires being used for the decorated tables, Mrs Baxter said that it was the usual practice to wire the flowers at other shows, and thought it should be permitted here. Mr Robertson said he thought it was hardly fair to the other competitors. They should all be on the same footing. Sonie used the wire, while others did not. He moved that in future no wiring be allowed in the decorated tables.—carried. On the motion’ of Mr. Geary it was decided to ask the following to act as canvassers: Mesdames H. J. Walden, Ladbrook, Miss Brandford and Messrs W. and F. Ashley. It was decided to reduce the prize-money in the garden collection in the school section from £1 first and 10/- second to 10/- and 5/- respectively. The schedule was revised, and the alterations and additions agreed to. TENNIS MATCH. On Saturday on the local ground Tuatapere and Riverton played their first match of the season. The day was fine, and a fair attendance, representative of both clubs, watched the results. The Riverton Club proved too good for the visitors. The following are the results (Riverton names first): — —Men’s Singles.— Jordan 7 v. Johnstone 5. Wilson 7 v. Higgins 2. Little 7 v. Muirhead 1. Helm 7 v. Cook 4. —Ladies’ Singles.— r Miss Guest 6 v. Dr. Gillies 1. Miss Bailey 6 v. Mrs Higgins 2. Mrs Griffiths 6 v Miss Hamilton 4 Miss Butler 4 v. Mrs Laurie 6. —Combined Doubles.— Miss Guest and Jordan 7 v Dr. Gillies and Johnstone 4. Miss Bailey and Wilson 5 v. Miss Hamilton and Higgins 7. Mrs Griffiths and Little 7 v. Mrs Higgins and Muirhead 4. Mrs Guest and Helm 7 v. Mrs Laurie and Cook 3. —Men’s Doubles.— Jordan and Wilson 4 v. Johnston and Higgins Little and Helm 7 v. Muirhead and Cook 6. —Ladies’ Doubles.— Misses Guest and Bailey 6 v. Dr. Gillies and Miss Hamilton 2. Mrs. Griffiths and Mrs Guest 6 v. Mrs Higgins and Mrs Laurie 1. Sets.—Riverton 13; Tuatapere 3. Games —Riverton 99; Tuatapere 56. At the conclusion two Western District ladder challenges were played, Wilson defeating Higgins 6—2, 6-—2. Miss Bailey uJefertedJfaK 3-X

APARIMA BOWLING CLUB. Favoured with ideal weather there was a large attendance at the Aparima green on Monday, when the club officially opened the season. Though early in the year, Mr Walter Russell, the caretaker, had everything looking at its best and this fact was favourably commented upon, not only by the bowlers of the province, but by two northern visitors, who expressed their surprise at the excellent conditions prevailing so far down south. Mr J. A. Martin said he had been asked to officiate in place of their president, Mr W. S. Hunter, who was recovering from a severe illness, and who was not with them that day. All hoped to see Mr Hunter soon back to health and strength. He welcomed the visitors and those hailing from the north would be able to carry away with them recollections of at least one glorious bowling day at the searide. He was also pleased. to see on the green their old friend, Mr J. H. Louden, a gentleman who had done so much for the country clubs and bowling in particular. For the benefit of those residing outside the Riverton district he might mention that £l2OO was collected by means of a queen carnival, and the sporting clubs (including the two bowling ones) had considerably benefited (hereby. The Aparima Club was now enabled to carry out some further improvements and the green and surroundings would receive first consideration. The Mayor (Dr. N. G. Trotter) said he was pleased to be present, and the large attendance and the favourable clim&tic conditions would be appreciated by the members. It was remarkable the transformation accomplished during the course of a few yfcars. Not so very long ago their well-laid out green was nothing but a sandhill, but due chiefly to the instrumentality of the late Mr Alex Provan, great things had been accomplished, and now they possessed a playing area and grounds second to none. He had to congratulate the club on having won the Western District Banner, and the cup would be presented at a later stage of the proceedings. The previous speaker had mentioned the amount received by sporting bodies per medium of the carnival, but he thought most of the clubs should be self-supporting and not a too frequent recourse io the public purse. He referred briefly to the Greater Riverton scheme, and called upon Mrs W. S. Hunter to roll the first ball. Mr J. H. Louden, Southland Bowling Centre, said he was gratified to see such a large attendance of the public and representatives from the many clubs in ' the province. He had to apologise for the absence of the president of the Centre, who had a recent bereavement in the family, and who would have been present with them that day. Referring to the progress made by bowlers he mentioned that there were over 700 in Southland and between 15,000 and 16,000 in the Dominion, which showed the keen interest taken in the game. When the second club was started in Riverton many held to the opinion that disaster would follow as the population was insufficient to support two bodies. Instead, however, a healthy rivalry had been created and the two clubs were pulling together and friendly games were the result. He complimented the prerictent, Mr Hunter, for the support given to the Aparima Club. Mr John Pauli (green ranger) and Mr W. Russell (caretaker). He briefly referred to the Rink Shield match as regards the Eastern and Western District Clubs, and said the proposal would go no further. Mr J. W. Hardley, the president of the Dominion Council, was yaking a visit to the south, and it was expected he would pay Riverton a visit on November 7. He hoped all bowlers would be present, and give Mr Hardley a kindly welcome. He also mentioned that the ne»v rules and regulations would be issued shortly, and there was not one subject governing the game that had not been dealt with. In presenting the cup to Mr Martin, on behalf of the Aparima Club, he complimented him on their win, and in order to encourage the younger clubs he hoped the trophy would go round. Rinks, representative of Eastern, Western snd Invercargill districts were then formed and the day’s play resulted as follows: Joyce, Baxton, Younger, Peterson

A slight shock of earthquake was experienced here about 10.35 a.m. on Friday. The direction was from north to south. No damage is reported, and the rattle of crockery reminded householders that something unusual was happening. A rather daring burglary was perpetrated here early on Friday morning, when Miss I. Johnstone’s confectionery and fruit shop was visited and a few bottles of cordials and sweets were removed, but the safe remained untouched. An entrance was accomplished by the breaking of the plate glass in the door, a piece of concrete having been ised for the purpose, and the bottom bolt of the door then lifted. The main building was occupied up to about midnight, and the thief or thieves must have commenced operations after that hour. It must have required a severe blow to break the glass, yet no one heard the noise. On Sunday evening Constable Fraser arrested the youth George Horsham (who has been misring from his home for over the week) on the Kaik. Accused admitted the offence, and a further search by the police revealed a number of missing articles from Mr. T. Borland’s shop, which had been entered early on Sunday morning. The articles included a rifle, watch, a set of cutlery, eight boxes of cartridges, etc., of a total value of £8 8/2. He was brought before Mr John Geary, Justice of the Peace, on Monday morning and was remanded till Monday, November 1. Mr. S. L. McNeil has presented a handsome cup for the ladies’ golf championship, and this is now on new in his window. The winner is Mrs B. Berndtson, Havelock street. Another old identity has passed away in the person of Mr Daniel Durbridge, whose death took place in Tasmania at the advanced age of 94 years. The family will be well remembered by the older generation and for many years they resided in South Riverton. Mr Durbridge was the first engineer of the Wallace County Council, a position he held for many years, and he laid out and superintended the making of the many highways in the now extensive county. Resigning the position, he was - -pointed inspector, and acted in that capacity for some time, eventually retiring into private life. When the rush broke out in the tin fields in Tasmania, Mr Durbridge was induced by his sons to join them there and he has remained in Tasmania up to the time of his demise. Labour Day passed off/ quietly. The day was fine, but a disagreeable wind made things somewhat unpleasant. Nevertheless a large number visited the searide, and the rising generation enjoyed themselves on the beaches. The Aparima Bowling Club opened the season, the sporting fraternity patronised'the Gore Races, while the smoke issuing from many parts of the bush indicated that many spent the holiday in the open spaces.

(s) 15 — Thompson, Harrison, Harper, Hill (8) — 21 Walker, • Martin, Williams, D. Thomson (») .. 21 — Watson, Alexander, Philp, Willett (s) — 22 Pratt, Steele, Benzie, Waugh (s) 24 — Birch, Crawford, Buchanan, Bailey (s) — 22 Merrie, Roberts, Moir, Clarke (s) 22 — Robinson, Irwin, Louden, Donaldson (sj — 15 Bell, Geary, Hall, Rouse (s) .. 20 — Ross, Jones, Harper, Scobie (s) .. — 13 Milligan, Robinson, McCulloch, Moore (a) .. 19 — Davis, Watson, McNeil, Banham (s) — 21 Loekett, Hawke, Grant, Kerse (s) 14 — Branks, Cassels, Bulman, Little (s) — 21 GENERAL.