RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21659, 22 March 1932, Page 2

RIVERTON NOTES

GROPER’S BUSH CHURCH. (From Our Correspondent.) An interesting ceremony took place at Gropers Bush Church last Friday, when Mr Donald McFarlane was presented with the Sunday School teachers' long service diploma, awarded to him by the Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. The recipient had served the church as a Sunday School teacher for 48 years, and it was a unique fact that the whole of the service had been carried out in the> Gropers Bush district. The Rev. A. McFarlane (Riverton) presided over the large gathering, and representatives of .the clergy and church organizations were present from Invercargill, Otautau, Oreti and Isla Bank. In the course of his remarks the chairman said Mr McFarlane had not only confined his services to the church, but had always worked enthusiastically for the welfare of the district. It was for his work in the church that the function was being held that evening. Mr McFarlane, he said, had acted as office-bearer for 30 years—first as a deacon and then as an elder. For many years, during the time when Thornbury was part of the Riverton parish, he had officiated as lay-preacher, taking services in Riverton and Thornbury. About three years ago he was forced to retire, due to failing health, from active teaching, but he still retained his interest in the church and especially in the youths connected with it. Mr W. Hopcroft presented the diploma, and referred to the long service of the guest among the youth of the district and wished him continued happiness in his work in the church. Eulogistic references to the guest's long service were made by Mr J. Cormack and W. Anderson (Gropers Session and Deacons’ Court), Mr G. O. Cassels (Riverton) and Mr J. McLean (Thornbury), all stressing the greatness of the occasion, and the great record of

work accomplished by Mr McFarlane. On rising to reply, Mr McFarlane was greeted with prolonged applause, and in the course of his remarks stated that what he had done had given him great joy in life. He had had the great pleasure of seeing his scholars going through the Sunday School, then joining the membership of the church, and later taking part in its advancement. Two of his scholars were carrying on the Sunday School There were .now three Sunday Schools in the district, with an attendance of over 40 scholars. Mrs McFarlane was also the recipient of a beautiful bouquet, presented by Miss Winnie Cormack. Musical items were given as follows: Anthems by Gropers Bush choir, solo by Miss Jean Playfair, recitation by Miss Dorothy Anderson, solo by Mrs C. McFarlane, solo by Mr Buchan (Thornbury), recitation by Miss Margaret Hogg (Riverton). solo by Mrs McKenzie, anthem by Riverton choir, song by Mr H. E. Philp (Riverton), duet by Misses Reidie. Bowling. A contest for the Brown Cup was played between Riverton and Aparima on Wednesday afternoon on the Aparima green. Willett and Hall were the challengers and Spencer and Eccleton the defenders, zlparima easily defeated their opponents, scoring 25 to the others’ 10. A match was played on the Riverton green between the ladies of the Riverton and Southland Clubs on Thursday evening, the local ladies carrying off the honour’s. The following are the results: S. R. Mesdames Weir, Barron, Cooper, Hollowman (s) 11 —■ Mesdames Gunnion, Patrick, Alex. Evans, Ashley (s) — 16 Mrs Leary, Miss Farquhar, Mesdames Matheson, Gavin (s) 15 — Mesdames J. Cassels, Byng, Kerr, Alf. Evans (s) ' — 18 Totals 26 34 The South side club, represented by Messrs Brown, Scott, Willett and Hall defeated the holders (Winton) by 18 to 12 on Tuesday afternoon at Winton for the President’s Stars. Harvest Thanksgiving Service. There were good attendances at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, when harvest thanksgiving services were held. The building was tastefully decorated for the time-honoured event, and the Rev. A. McFarlane delivered suitable discourses. The choir was in excellent voice and rendered a number of anthems. Suitable hymns were also sung. A similar service was held in the Methodist Church, the preacher being Rev. N. Challenger. The past few days were favourable for deep-sea fishing and the launches returned with very good results. At the middle of last week, however, word came through from the merchants that a large supply of fish was on hand and no supplies would be taken for the remainder of the week. As a consequence the local fleet was idle, despite a spell of good fishing weather. Farmers are taking full advantage of favourable climatic conditions and pushing on with the harvest. The crops are heavy and should be well up to the average. The turnips promise well, the later sown ones appear to have made rapid progress of late.

The season has been a prolific one as far as potatoes are concerned. Many who have already lifted them have expressed surprise at the quantity per shaw, and another pleasing feature being the absence of blight.

The muttonbirders got safely away towards the end of last week, a large contingent leaving Colac Bay, The many friends of Mrs J. Fordyce will regret to hear of her death, which took place at Christchurch last week after a short illness. Accompanied by her husband (Rev. J. Fordyce) she was spending a holiday in Christchurch, when she had an attack of pneumonia, which terminated her life. The Rev. J. and Mis Fordyce were well-known in Riverton and the Western District, the former for many years being in charge of the Presbyterian Church, and a few months back was appointed to the parish at Fairlie. At the annual meeting of the Golf Club, held on Friday evening, there was a good attendance; The annual report showed that the club had a successful year, and the membership had an upward tendency. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr A. D. Angus; captain, Mr T. R. Abercrombie; treasurer, Mr A. Dooley; secretary, Mr F. Thomson; auditor, Mr J. A. Mackenzie; general committee, Mesrs J. A. McKinnon, A. D. Mtlvor, A. E. Willett, G. R. Be.mdtson, C. Parkin. Seven new members were elected. Mr J. A. McKinnon was elected a life-member. It was decided to donate 10/- towards the Boy Scouts’ fund.

The Rev. Father Domigan has returned from his trip up north, greatly benefited by his holiday. His many friends in town and district will wish this popular priest every success for the future. The Riverton Rowing Club will be represented at the Queenstown Regatta at Easter, and the local representatives taking advantage of the fine weather of late have been in a good deal of practice and should give a good account of themselves. The following crews have been selected: Junior Pairs, J. Fleck (stroke) and D. Matheson; Maiden Pairs, N. Hillis (stroke), IL Tweedie; Maiden Sculls, J. Fleck (stroke), H. Allison; Maiden Fours, N. Hillis (stroke), H. Tweedie, P. Fleck, H. Allison.