RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21822, 27 September 1932, Page 6

RIVERTON NOTES

OBITUARY. (From Our Correspondent.) Mr James Campbell Templeton, who had been ailing for some time, passed away at his residence, South Riverton, last Saturday. He was born in Invercargill in 1864, and with his parents was later engaged in farming pursuits in the Thombury-Waimatuku district. In 1921 he was married to Miss L. R. Wilson, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Wilson, of South Riverton. The late Mr Templeton was well-known in Riverton and the surrounding district and followed many occupations before settling down on the south side of the town. He took a prominent part in all matters affecting the welfare of the community, and was president of the South Riverton Ratepayers’ Association. He also was one of the representatives of the south ward on the Borough Council, and due chiefly to his advocacy the backblocker received great support when any request for improvements came before the governing body. The Athenaeum. A general meeting of subscribers to the Athenaeum was held in the reading room on Wednesday evening. Mr J. A. Mackenzie presided over a good attendance. The chairman fully explained the object of the meeting, which was to take into consideration the advisability or otherwise of utilizing the public room for the storing of curios; in fact to start a small museum. He further stated that the question had been discussed at the last meeting of the executive, and it had been resolved to refer the matter to a general meeting of subscribers. After a short discussion, Mr A. E. Willett moved: “That seeing there will be no extra cost to the Athenaeum Committee, the exhibits be placed in glass cases in the committee room, the executive to accept no liability for theft, damage or loss by fire.” The motion was seconded by Mr A. D. Angus and carried by a small majority. General.

The fifth medal round played on the local golf links resulted as follows: — Banks, jun., 80—10 —70; Parkin, 88—14 —74; Philp 96—20—76. The long spell of dry weather has depleted the water supply, which comes from the heavens, consequently many householders have been obliged to obtain supplies from other quarters—a rather unusual occurrence at this time of the year. Whitebait are fairly numerous in the rivers and with good baskets coming to hand, prices have a receding tendency. The number of vehicles conveying bobby calves through the town are not so well filled as last year. This is due, according to a local dairyman, to the low prices ruling, and many in the industry are resorting to other means to dispose of them. The lambing season gives every promise of being a very good one and on several farms the new arrivals are making steady progress. On the Riverton racecourse some 60 ewes have given birth to twins, while a prolific mother on the same property was last Sunday to be seen protecting a quartete of lambs from the interested spectators. The Riverton District High School boys’ hockey team played their last fixture of the season on Saturday last, meeting the Southland Technical College A team. The game resulted in a draw—2 all. The school team have thus an unbeaten record for the season, and have been declared the winners of the Lewis Shield for the Southland junior championship. Arrangements have been made by the Postal Department with Mr Norman Beer to convey the mail fortnightly, instead of monthly, to Centre Island, which will be a great convenience to the keepers. A local company has been formed to develop the lignite deposits near Thombury. The product is already on the market, and the promoters have expressed satisfaction with the financial returns so far. It is reported that the pit at Waipango is likely to be opened again, and with the two mines working the price of coal and firewood is likely to be reduced.

Applications were called by the council for the office of inspector, poundkeeper, etc. The committee appointed to deal with them selected Mr S. Brewster, South Riverton. The new appointee commenced duty at the beginning of the month. After a week’s absence the Wairuna arrived hack in port from Preservation on Friday evening with a ton of fish. The crew report that the Sounds are full of prawn or more commonly called whale feed. Mr Beer says that mining operations are being pushed on with, and some of the men are doing well. Work is being started at Wilson’s River and Coal Island. Mr Julius Berg, a miner, had a narrow escape from a serious accident, a fall of earth containing many tons missing him by a few inches. Deer are plentiful down there and are doing damage to all vegetation.

Mr J. Leslie, a son of Mr and Mrs Alex. Leslie, Beach Road, who has secured his flying ticket, gave an exhibition over the town on Monday morning. The manoeuvres were watched by a large number of seasides.