RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 20617, 16 October 1928, Page 5

RIVERTON NOTES

BOWLING CLUB. ' (From Our Correspondent.) At the last meeting of the committee of the Riverton Bowling Club, Mr W. Scobie presiding, the following offices were filled Match committee, Messrs Scobie, S. L. Beer and W. Ashley; green ranger, Mr A. E. Willett; assistant, Mr G. Merrie; social committee, Messrs R. Birch, Merrie and J. Church; handicapper, Messrs Beer and J. Instone; green committee, Messrs Willett, Ashley and Instone. Mr Instone was appointed supervisor of all outside competitions; and to act with the match committee in arranging club competitions’. The caretaker (Mr S. Hall) was instructed to put the green in order for the opening day, October 31, when it is expected that a number of visiting bowlers will be present. After a short discussion it was resolved that ladies be permitted to play on the green on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons, not being holidays, of on any such days as the match committee may fix. The members of the Aparima Club meet this week to make arrangements about opening the season, which has been set dow r n for Labour Day. Little has been done to either green so far, due to the wet weather, but when better conditions prevail the work will be pushed on as expeditiously as possible, and everything should be in readiness when the opening day arrives. Croquet Club. The members of the local club were again unfortunate on Wednesday as regards the weather when the season was opened, Mr J. C. Thomson performing the ceremony. In the course of his remarks he said it was pleasing to learn that the club was in an excellent position, having 17 active and five honorary members. Referring to the competitions held last season, Mrs James Green, he said, had been successful in winning the A grade championship and Miss McNaughton the B grade, and they were to be congratulated on their success. The club had participated in four Association matches, and had won two? —those with Otautau and Southland (Invercargill), and lost two with the Invercargill clubs—Waihopai and Northend. In the game with the latter they were one player short, otherwise the score might have been different. Although neither the cup nor the banner had come to the seaside club they had a most successful and enjoyable season, and he expressed the hope that for this season they would be fortunate in the weather, and be able to spend many pleasant hours on the lawn. Mrs John Crawford thanked Mr Thomson for opening the season, and those present sat down to a delightful afternoon tea. The Parking of Cars. Business people and residents are somewhat concerned over the attitude of motorists, who leave their cars generally in the main street, more especially at the intersection of Palmerston and Princes streets. This is usually a busy centre, and is it quite common to see them there three deep. Several accidents of late, not fortunately of a serious nature, have happened to pedestrians, and the general opinion appears to be that some better provision should be made in the interests of the public safety. At its last meeting the league again discussed the matter, and it was eventually decided to ask the borough council to take action. A suggestion was made that steps should be taken to acquire the old flourmill site, and if satisfactory arrangements could be made, the section would be an ideal one for the purpose mentioned, being in the centre of the town, and as it extends from Palmerston to Havelock street, access could be obtained either way. The everincreasing number of cars that come here necessitates better parking facilities, and before someone is seriously incapacitated the local body should move in the ‘matter. For the benefit of motorists who are in the habit of using Havelock street when en route to The Rocks, or out west, it might be. mentioned that to save delay it will be necessary to enter Palmerston street via Napier street or further up, as Jetty street is now blocked to traffic, the Public Works Department having taken up the locality for the accommodation of material in*connection with the erection of the new bridge over the Aparima estuary. The Election. Mr J. S. Mosley, returning officer for the electoral district of Wallace, .has returned after a fortnight’s visit to the outlying parts. Arrangements have been made with the deputies, and 77 polling places have been found necessary. The main roll comprises 8675 names, and with the supplementary, this number will be increased to about 10,000 odd. Messrs W. E. Taylor and Pulley (Otautau), who are standing in the Liberal interests, have already addressed meetings in different parts of the electorate, and Mt Adam Hamilton, the sitting members, started at the end of the week. • Another Richmond has appeared in the field in the person of Mr Robert Howell, a native of the town, who announces himself as a Labour Industrialist, and is out at his own expense. He is also to start on an electioneering campaign. With the date of the election only a few weeks away, the aspirants for the Wallace seat will have to do considerable travelling if they only address the electors at half of the polling places, and this will, in some cases, require speaking twice on the same date at places not far distant from one another. The Regatta. At the annual meeting of the Regatta Club held on Friday evening, some strong comment was made by those present at the | poor financial support given by those who directly benefited by the holding of the annual aquatic carnival, and a .motion was carried that the club hold its annual fixture on Boxing Day, provided sufficient money by way of subscriptions was forthcoming from that quarter. The club after 58 years of existence has had its vicissitudes, and the small balance to credit at the bank will soon disappear should anything in the form of bad luck come their way. According to the balance-sheet the receipts amounted to £l5O 19/7, and expenditure £l4l 18/10, leaving a balance of £lO 0/9. It is generally admitted that it would be a mistake to drop the regatta, but those connected with the management maintain that while they pay their subscriptions and give their time in providing a day’s pleasure for the visiting oarsmen and the travelling public, the people who are the chief gainers are somewhat lacking, and should contribute more to the club’s funds than they have done in the past. Straying Cattle.

The cattle straying nuisance is again causing a great deal of comment, and on both sides of the river “strays” are daily in evidence. A short time back the police and the poundkeeper took combined action against offenders, and for a time the streets and byways were clear, but now the menace is as bad as ever. Ratepayers are continually complaining about the damage done to their property, and are wondering when an improvement can be expected. A herd of ten strong has been much in evidence of late, and one day last week held up the traffic near the south end of the bridge, the services of an obliging pedestrian being necessary to drive them away to permit the cars to pass. Cattle are liable to find weak spots in their enclosure, but for an owner to permit them to be frequently trespassing on the roads looks as if he is quite indifferent to the condition of his fences and cares but little for the safety of the public, not to mention the damage done to other people’s property and the fouling of the footpaths. General. The members of the Rowing Club propose opening the season on Wednesday, when it is to be hoped the weather will be favourable. Word has been received from Mr E. Stevens, junior, Wellington,' that in company with Mr William Campbell, two old members of the Rowing Club, they had paid a visit of inspection to the Star Boating. Club’s sheds, and after examining the boats they recommended their purchase. The local club has decided to buy them and they should be here in the course of a Week or so.

The Brownies celebrated their second birthday party in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Friday evening, when a happy time was spent in games, dialogues and a number of recitations were given by inembers. There were a number of parents and supporters present, the Guides being also represented. In the absence of Mrs L. R. Jordan, Mrs C. Webb filled her position, and delivered an interesting address. Mrs E. Gray also spoke. The cake, which was presented by Mrs Jordan, was cut amidst great enthusiasm, and after an enjoyable supper proceedings were brought to a close in the usual way. The Busy Bees, in connection with the Presbyterian Church, held a most enjoyable function in their halb on Saturday afternoon. Despite unfavourable weather there was a? good attendance, and a pleasant time was spent in games and music.