RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 20641, 13 November 1928, Page 3

RIVERTON NOTES

SALE OF WORK. (From Our Correspondent.) The annual sale of work in connection with the P.W.M.U. was held in the Presbyterian Sunday School Hall when the attendance both afternoon and evening was good, and the financial results most gratifying. Mr J. C. Thomson, who opened the bazaar, complimented the promoters on the outcome of their labour of love. They had all worked, he said, and were still working, for a most deserving cause. It was the first time the sale had been held in their new hall, which was a monument to their labours and an ornament to the town. The proceeds from the sale were to be devoted to missions and other activities of the church, and in this connection the ladies had to be sincerely congratulated on the sums they had from time to time raised for the building fund. The amount usually raised by the annual sale of work was on the average, about £l3O, and looking at the collection of plain and fancy goods, the well-stocked stalls of eatables, and the abundance of beautiful flowers, he felt sure this year’s proceeds would excel those of previous years. Where so many gave such loyal and devoted service it would be invidious on his part to particularize any one for special praise. The highest praise was due to all, and the only reward they sought for their services was the rapid disposal of the well displayed array of wares at satisfactory prices. The following ladies were in charge of the various stalls:—Plain, Mesdames G. Kerr, E. B. Patrick and W. Scobie; Busy Bees and Christmas tree, Mesdames A. Calder, A. Evans and the Busy Bees; cakes, Mrs G. 0. Cassels; flowers, Mesdames E. Gray and J. Guise; produce, Mesdames A. Provan and J. Crawford; sweets, Mesdames Caigou and Pearce; tea rooms, Mesdames J. Fordyce, Buchanan and helpers. In the evening a varied entertainment was given, an outstanding feature of which was a playette made up of nursery rhymes, the performers being little children under the charge of Miss Swap. They acquitted themselves most creditably. Another feature was a junior fancy dress parade, the judge (Miss J. V. Galloway) being a well-known native of the town, but now residing at Dunedin. Her awards were given as follows:—Best pair (bride and bridegroom), Miss Murray and Master Borland; best girl (Stars and Stripes), Miss Macdougall; best boy (page), Master Bruce Patrick. At the conclusion, the Rev. J. Fordyce suitably thanked all who had in any way assisted to make the sale and entertainment such a pronounced success. Ths Regatta. The Regatta Committee has met and drawn up its programme for Boxing Day. When it has received the approval of the Rowing Association it will be issued as soon as possible. The rowing events are the same as last year, with a slight increase in the prize money. Only one motor boat race will be held, the committee being of the opinion that one would suffice. Last year the water events were mainly confined to school children, and due to lack of support they have been eliminated. These contests, however, have not been abandoned altogether, but will be held early next year, when the Rowing Club has signified its intention of assisting and an aquatic carnival will be held probably in February or March. With the object of fostering swimming the Regatta Club intends spending £ll 10/- on Boxing Day and the caretaker of the Invercargill baths has been asked to submit a programme for approval. In past seasons visitors and townspeople took great interest in these contests, and as the committee is aware of the fact, it has decided to include them in the programme, so as to give the thousands of people who yearly patronize the popular seaside on Boxing Day a variety of events suitable for the most fastidious. The rowing enthusiasts, like many others, are anxiously awaiting the arrival of more propitious weather, but are out for a spin whenever the opportunity offers. Great interest centres round the competitions for the Trail Shield, as quite a number of new faces are to be seen in the boats. The following crews are competing: Joyce, C. Beer, McKay, Spencer; J. Beer, Horsham, Eason, B. Peters; Hawke, Bulman, Satchell, Sullivan; A. Beer, R. Whyte, Gray, Anderson ; Campbell, Brigault, Fleck, Leslie; C. Beer, Allison, Russell, W. Moore; Eade, Hancock, Cathcart, L. Spencer; Agnew, Cessford, Ferrier, Tweedie; Rose, Matheson, J. Fleck, Walker. The first-named in each instance is stroke. The Election. As the deciding day draws nearer enthusiasm in the final results increases. Two of the contestants have spoken at Riverton and the sitting member addresses the electors on the eve of the contest. The issue will be fought out between Reform and the United Party candidates, and it is generally expected that the polling will be heavy, and a close finish will be the result. The election for a Maori member for the south takes place on the day preceding the general one, and some of the six aspirants have been in the Riverton district within the last few days interviewing the native voters. A polling booth will be at the Riverton Courthouse. The Progressive League has made suitable arrangements for the posting up at the theatre the returns of the general election on Wednesday evening, and the Plunket Society is arranging for the sale of afternoon and evening tea, the whole of the proceeds going to the society’s funds. The Elements. The spring and early summer of 1928 will go down in the annals of history as phenomenal as far as unseasonableness is concerned ; even the old pioneers cannot recall a season like it, this being; the opinion of one who has resided three score and ten years here. Farmers, especially flock owners, will long remember the heavy mortality' in ewes and lambs, while dairymen are not likely to forget the losses in dairy cows and other stock. Grass is plentiful, but according to a well-known authority, contains but little substance, due to a lack of sunshine. The gardens are in a deplorably backward condition, and the high winds and continual rainfall has had a distressing and damaging effect on them. A visit to the different flower plots readily convinces one of the far-reaching effects of the recent storms, and the beautiful flowers have not been permitted to long adorn these picturesque spots, being severely buffeted and ruthlessly treated. The vegetables have not escaped the visitation and in th more exposed parts have fared badly. Potatoes are not making much headwav. and craps in the rows are manifest. Peas are causing gardeners some anxietv, and they are making slow movement. They come through the ground strong enough, but due to some cause or other make no headway, and gradually disappear. This has been the experience of many growers of this ever popular vegetable. Sunday was ushered in with rain and high wind, reaching a gale at times, and city dwellers who had looked upon spending an enjoyable outing at the seaside were doomed to disappointment. General. The present system of street maintenance, which does not find favour with some of the ratepayers, is to be continued until March when the borough elections take place. This was the verdict of the Works Committee, Councillor Hymers making the announceemnt at last meeting of the council. His Lordship the Bishop of Dunedin will administer the rite of confirmation in St. Mary’s Church on Thursday evening at 7.30. In Messrs Martin and Spears’ window there is an exceptionally good collection of pansies, grown by Mrs S. Watson, “Kintail.” The blooms have come in for great admiration by those interested in floraculture. Sunday being Armistice Day special services were held in the different churches, and hymns suitable to the occasion were sung. Good congregations were present. The local racing tracks are in very good condition at present, notwithstanding the unfavourable weather. There are 23 horses in work at present, and it is reported that this number will be increased before long. Work is being pushed on in connection

with the erection of the new bridge, and the locality is becoming a busy centre. Material of every description is daily arriving, and the punt, recently built, was successfully launched at the end of last week. A number of school children are making too frequent visits to the works and the officials in charge are afraid some one will be getting injured. Parents and school teachers should draw the children’s attention to this. The passing away of Mr J. C. Adams at Christchurch will recall to the ex-pupils of the Riverton High School many happy days during his rectorship. There are still quite a number in business and residents of the town who have not forgotten those times spent in the old school. A fine scholar and strict disciplinarian he was held in high esteem, not only by the brighter pupils but by the dull ones as well, and when the school career was over the sound advice given to the departing scholar and the friendly hand shake lived long with him. A man of many parts he was popular with everyone, and was equally at home conducting divine service or taking part in outdoor sports. He had reached the age of 81 years.