RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21650, 11 March 1932, Page 9

RIVERTON NOTES

INDUSTRIES’ WEEK (From Our Correspondent.) The industries’ exhibition, which was held in the Empire Theatre 'last week, was brought to a successful termination on Friday evening. The public loyally supported the function, and as a result the funds of the Progressive League, the Welfare and Plunket Societies will greatly benefit thereby. The committees in charge are to be complimented on the excellence of all the arrangements made, special praise being due to Mr J. A. Marlin (president of the league), who was the promoter of the scheme, and despite the apathy manifested when the project was mooted, had the satisfaction of seeing the exhibition launched and successfully concluded. Manufacturers from most parts of the Dominion hail representatives present, atm the excellent display of New Zealand goods came as a surprise to many present. Of the local exhibitors Messrs More and Sons' display of articles manufactured from birch timber created great interest, and it was one of the best. The articles on view comprised garden tool handles, axe and adze handles, pegs, cloth brushes and a miscellaneous assortment of other things. Mrs S. Watson, “Kintail,” had a picturesque display in the floral line, horticulturists greatly admiring the fine collection comprising gladioli and dahlias. The display by the Farmers’ Union, assisted by the Women’s Auxiliary, was a splendid effort and included vegetables, roots, grain and general farm produce. The Women’s Auxiliary featured baking, preserves, butter, bread, etc. Messrs Phil]> and Dickson had a fine display in their line of business. The evenings were chiefly devoted to competitions, the contests for the chopping events and tugs of war creating great interest; dancing, vocal items, gymnastic displays by local High School boys, and club swinging by the Ermedale School girls received well-merited applause. Besides the patronage of the public, over 330 children had visited the exhibition from Riverton, Ermedale, Gummies Bush and Convent Schools. On the concluding night four local women, heavyweights, issued a challenge to a similar number of country residents to try conclusions over a tug-of-war contest. The latter, however, failed to respond, and the former were pitted against four youths. . The females stuck gamely, and just on the ctdl of time the judge awarded the prize to the youths. The defeated quartette, needless to say, were greeted with many cheers, and put up a good showing against the younger rivals.

Methodist Church. The many friends of the Rev. F. 0. Prosser will be pleased to learn that he is to remain in charge of the Riverton circuit for another year. Mr J. Churchill, of Waipango, has been accepted for Homo Mission work by the Mission 1 Board. He will supply the Cromwell circuit from March 13 to April. 10, after which he will proceed to Mayfield, South Canterbury, to his permanent appointment. The 110th anniversary of the establishment of the Methodist Maori Mission will be Celebrated locally at the beginning of next month, when a great mission demonstration will be held. The programme will be provided by the Rev. A. J. Seamer's popular party of Maori singers and musicians, which has amazed many audiences by its wonderful versatility and delightful melodies. All lovers of the weird, haunting and entrancing music of the Maori, and native dances, can look forward with pleasure to hearing this talented combination. The party will appear in national costume and ail the typical Maori dances will be included in the programme. Obituary. By the death of Mrs W. Molloy, Gummies Bush, a well-known resident of the Western District has gone to her rest. She was the oldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs R. Barron, and was born at Flints Bush in 1867. In 1895 she married Mr W. Molloy, fifth son of the late Mr Hugh Molloy, of Danieltown. The couple took up farniing, and have practically resided in the Gummies Bush district the greater part of their lives. The late .Mrs Molloy, who had been ailing lor some time, was held in high esteem by a large circle of friends, and was always willing, night or day, to help in cases of emergency. Deceased, who was 65 years of age, leaves a husband and thirteen of a family—eight sons and five daughters, viz., Mrs G. Dawson (Invercargill), Mrs T. Bulling (Bluff), Mrs T. Race (Dunedin), Miss Mary Molloy (Kelso), Miss Kathleen Molloy (Invercargill), Mr Thomas Molloy (Gummies Bush), Messrs Charles (Drummond), William (Railway Department, Clinton I, Walter (Blackwater), Frederick (Milton), and Arthur (Gummies Bush). After a short illness the death took place at her residence, John street, South Riverton, on Saturday, of Mrs Clark, wife of Mr William Clark. The late Mrs Clark (nee McCoskery) was born at Beaumont in 1879, and was also married in the same place. The couple decided to go in for farming, and had properties at Merrivale, Morton Mains, and were for nine years in the Otantau district. Five years ago her husband acquired the property in South Riverton, and they have resided there ever since. The deceased, who was of a kindly nature, was an excellent neighbour, and always ready to assist in sickness or those who had to contend with hardships. She leaves a husband, three daughters and four boys—one son mysteriously disappeared a few weeks back, and although search parties have been out and every attempt to trace has been instigated, no word has come to hand as to his whereabouts. The other members of the family are: Mrs E. S. Pay (Christchurch), Mrs A. Pulley (Invercargill), Mrs A. Couchman (Tuatapere), Messrs Archibald, William, and Ilansal Clark, all of Otautau district.

Another old identity in the person of Mrs John Boniface passed peacefully away at her residence, Palmerston street, on Thursday. She was born at Masterton in 1859, and came with her people to Southland, her father (Mr Jacob Collett) being in the butchering business in Invercargill in the early days. In 1882 she was married and Mr and Mrs Boniface came to Riverton, taking up residence at the northern end of Palmerston street, where they have resided ever since. The late Mrs Boniface was well and favourably known throughout the province, and was a hard-working, industrious woman. Deceased, who was in her 73rd year, leaves a husband, four sons and four daughters—a son (John) making the supreme sacrifice in the Great War, and was killed in action on September 15, 1916. The remaining members of the family are: Mrs B. Boivin (Invercargill), Mrs B. Maclauchlan (Temuka), Mrs J. Currie (Tewaewae), Mrs John Stuart (Otaitai Bush), Mr Harry Boniface (Gorge Road), Messrs Jacob Boniface (Invercargill), Robert (Otaitai Bush) and Bert (Riverton). There are also 34 grandchildren, and seven greatgrandchildren. Memorial Service. A memorial service to the memory of the late Miss M. Prosser, only daughter of Rev. F. O. and Mrs Prosser, was held in the Methodist Church on Sunday. The building was packed, and the Rev. C. 11. Olds, B.A. (Invercargill) occupied the pulpit, preaching a powerful ana impressive sermon. He took for his text I. Corinthians 13 —12 ver., “For now we see through a glass darkly; but thou face to face.” Members of R.D.HB- committee were present, and the Errnedale, Waipango and Riverton Bible classes were strongly represented. Two anthems by the choir, “Our Missing Treasure,” and “No 'Burdens Yonder” were feelingly rendered, while the late Miss Prosser’s favourite hymns were also .sung.