RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21835, 12 October 1932, Page 5

RIVERTON NOTES

R.S.A. (From Our Correspondent.) With a view to increasing their membership the members of the local branch of the R.S.A. intend keeping in touch with country districts and last week several members visited Gummies Bush. At the meeting, Mr R. Dickson, president of the local society, stated the object of the Riverton members in going out and said that recently twenty new members had joined up. He asked the Gummies Bush and Wild Bush members to nominate one of their number to represent them on the executive. Mr R. Stevens was elected to the position. After the business had been concluded the evening concluded with card playing, the visitors defeating the home side by 17 to 10. The president thanked Mr W. Hamlyn for arranging the supper and also for getting so many ex-servicemen to be present which helped to make the evening so enjoyable. The annual general meeting ot the Aparima Anglers’ Club was held in the band room on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance, and in the absence of the president—Mr L. W. Petchell—Mr G. R. Berndtson presided. The annual report, which has already appeared in the Times, was read and adopted. The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Mr L. W. Petchell; vice-presidents, Messrs R. Fleck, J. Forsyth and G. R. Berndtson; committee, Messrs John Martin, A. D. Angus, D. C. Robertson, M. Maley, R. Dickson, R. Davis, V. McKinnon; secretary and’ treasurer, Mr H. J. Henderson; auditor, Mr T. R. Abercrombie; delegate to the society, Mr D. C. Robertson. A letter was received from the Invercargill Anglers’ Club objecting to the action of the Acclimatisation Society in rescinding a motion for liberating rainbow trout in the Waiau. The club forwarded a petition for signature urging the society to liberate rainbow trout there. , A resolution was carried that tne Riverton Club does not favour the liberation of rainbow trout in the Waiau. , . , , A social was held after the. annual meeting and was attended by visitors from Invercargill and other clubs. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been duly honoured the chairman proposed the toast of the Southland Ac-

climatization Society, which was ably responded to by Messrs Speirs and Strang. At an interval the Mayor (Mr E. B. Patrick) presented the prizes won by members of the club for the competitions held during the past season. Other toasts were: “Apanma Anglers’ Club,” proposed by Mr Ball and responded to by Mr J. Martin; “Southland Anglers,” proposed by Mr R. Fleck, and responded to by Mr Hal*ligan; “The Novices,” responded to by Messrs Angus, Abercrombie, Maley and Henderson; “Hon. Members,” responded to by Messrs H. E. Philp and S. L. McNeil. During the evening Mr Philp contributed a song and recitation, Mr Martin a recitation and a humorous item

by Mr Halligan. During the long spell of dry weather shopkeepers in the main business area have complained of losses to their stock due to the dust nuisance and at the last meeting of the council the Mayor brought up the subject. It was stated that it had been anticipated that tar sealing operations would have been commenced in the spring and that this would have got over the difficulty, but as the Highways Board have since notified the governing body that funds are not at present available this longexpected work will have to be deferred. After a short discussion it was ultimately resolved that steps be taken to secure a water cart, which, it was pointed out, was the only solution of the present difficulty. A councillor stated that an abundance of water would be available from the river, which he said, would be better than that procurable elsewhere as its salty nature did not permit it drying so quickly as the other.

Lambing.

Local flock owners appear to be satisfied with the percentage of lambs, the majority of which were bom under favourable climatic conditions, and have made steady progress from then on. According to a well-known agent, who during the past week has visited the chief places of the Western District, the returns of lambs from the flocks have been eminently satisfactory and with the prospect of a rising market, farmers should be well recompensed. The recent rains, he further stated, have done an immense amount of good, and were welcomed by those engaged in the dairy industry and the farming community generally. Golf. The golf season closed on Saturday and it has proved a successful one. The men’s final competition, which took the form of a four ball bogey was played on Wednesday and resulted as follows: Rouse and Abercrombie 1 up, Birch and Trotter 3 down, McKay and Stewart 3 down. A start has been made with the work of wire-netting the traffic bridge. This has been found necessary in order to protect the younger children against accidents of falling into the river. The wire is being placed on the inside of the pedestrian roadway, which will not be appreciated by the public, more especially the ladies for it will have a tendency to catch their clothing when room is required to allow of passing on the present too restricted pathway. The first day of summer time was ushered in under favourable conditions. The day was calm and very suitable for anyone wishing to spend the time in the open spaces. A number of cars paid the seaside a visit, several doing the round trip; anglers were also to be seen in different parts of the river busily employed fishing for the “spotted beauties.” ' Bell birds have been fairly numerous of late on the south side, and in the gardens where the flowering currant and other nectar producing trees are grown these members of the feathered tribe have been welcomd by _ householders. The German owl, which unfortunately appears to be increasing quickly, is taking a heavy toll of the native birds, and one roaming through the bush, once filled with song, finds the place almost deserted. Weasels, too, have greatly helped in the annihilation of bird life.