RIVERTON LEAGUE

Southland Times, Issue 21194, 22 September 1930, Page 2

RIVERTON LEAGUE

MONTHLY MEETING OF EX- , ■ ECUTIVE. (From Our Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of the Riverton League was held on Thursday evening and was presided over by Mr J. A. Martin (chairman). There was a good attendance. The chairman stated that Mr A. W. Rodger, chairman of the Power Board, Mr Hutton (engineer), and Mr Campbell (secretary) were present by invitation, and all complaints or grievances regarding the electric light should be placed before them, and the representatives of the board would reply to all questions. Mr A. D. Angus said the object of asking Mr Rodger and his assistants to be present was to ascertain if a better service were possible for local consumers. Of late the service had been more satisfactory than in the past, but about two months ago the light was off from 2.30 to 9.30, which, of course, greatly inconvenienced the householders. Another drawback was that many people did not know where to apply to when temporary repairs were necessary. Mr Berndston said that he understood Mr Diack was acting aS the board’s representative, but as his business frequently called him to all parts of the district it invariably happened that when his services were required locally, Mr Diack was many miles away, and residents were inclined to blame the board and its officials for not having one of their own employees on hand to attend to temporary repairs. He also referred to the collecting of fees, and thought a local agent should be appointed instead of the present system. Mr H. Akhurst said he honestly believed that the board was endeavouring to give them a good .service. Many found fault, but they also failed to give credit where credit was due. He would like to see a competent man appointed who would always be available. He was, he thought, the largest consumer in Riverton and the lights in his business were required at night. In the course of his reply, Mr Rodger said he and his assistants would do what they could for them. He referred to the strenuous work experienced at times by the engineer and his staff. As regards the appointment of a suitable person to'represent them, Mr Diack had agreed to carry out the work, and if he were not available a ring to the Invercargill office would be promptly attended to and a man would be sent out. As regards the'collecting of accounts, an agreement had been entered into with the bank, but this had now been altered. The board was, he said, doing its best in the interest of consumers, and it was hard instead of receiving encouragement to have bricks and mud hurled at them. Riverton was more fortunate than some other places and he instanced cases where the light had been cut off for a week, due to snow storms and rough weather. The employees had been out night and day, working under the most trying circumstances to keep up communication. Mesrs Hutton and Campbell also dealt on matters connected with lighting and the Power Board affairs generally, and after replying to questions the representatives were thanked for their attendance.

General Butiness. The chairman welcomed Mr A. Evans to the meeting, and said he should prove a valuable member to the league. He complimented him on the beautifying work he had carried out on his property and in other parts of the borough in South Riverton. Mr Evans suitably replied, remarking that he would do his utmost to further the interests of the league. In the course of his monthly report, the chairman said he regretted to have to state that the competitions committee had not received the number of entries expected and had been obliged to abandon the competitions this year. A certain amount of expenditure, about £9 he thought, had been incurred, and some provision would have to be made for meeting the liability. With regard to the training wall scheme, as suggested by the South Riverton Ratepayers’ Association, and improving the Point by afforestation, both these matters would come up for consideration at the .Lext meeting of the Borough Council. Mr Berndston said that a few weeks back members of the league had been invited to a banquet at Wild Bush. He asked if they intended returning the compliment. These gatherings, he said, were useful in several ways and were the means of bringing the country and town residents more closely together. Mrs W. Gunnion said that no doubt these gatherings were appreciated by some people, but as their funds were getting low, it was their duty to devise ways and means whereby they could raise money to carry out the work of the league. She favoured a Paddy’s market or a bring and buy sale. Mr F. G. Ashley agreed with the previous speaker. He stated that the bowling club held one of these sales, and, with the aid of competitions, it had netted £24 The School Committee had also held a similar function with gratifying results, the takings totalling £32. On the motion of Mrs Gunnion it was resolved to hold a bring and buy sale on October 4. The chairman stated that a grant of £lOO had been voted by Ihe Government for snagging work in the Pourakino. They had been agitating for some time for the necessary money, and now that it was available preliminary arrangements should be put in hand. He suggested communicating with the Wallace County Council as regards securing the services of its engineer for the purpose of drawing up conditions governing the work. He moved accordingly and the motion was carried. Mr H. C. Johnstone drew attention to the charge’s made for hot water to picnic parties, and said the league’s representative should have a fixed charge. He also stated that round, the bay on different occasions paper wrappers and other refuse were dropped by motorists. The practice should be stopped and the offenders notified to desist. It was decided to attend to the matter.