RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22010, 9 May 1933, Page 9

RIVERTON NOTES

AN EARLY-DAY BOAT. (From Our Correspondent.) Recently a northern visitor paid a visit to the seaside with a view to making inquiries as regards an eightoared boat, which, it was believed, was built here some years back, and was the first of its kind used for racing purposes. Mr H. Pankhurst, of Hekeia, and formerly of Riverton, supplied the writer with the following information which will settle the many arguments which have occurred between rowing enthusiasts for some time. Mr Pankhurst says the boat was a six-oared and not eight, as has been believed, and was built on the batswing style It was constructed by the late Mr James Roberts in a shed at the back of the then Marine Hotel (Mr A. Mills’s dwelling now taking the place of the old building) and was 45ft in length. To cover the cost of erection the money was found by Messrs T. Irwin, J. Roderique, E. Hogg, F. Mitchell and H. Pankhurst, and, save the last-named, all the then guarantors have passed away. Somewhere about 1878 the sixoared and a four-oared were taken to the lakes to compete in the regatta there. The boats were conveyed by a waggon drawn by horses, and the journey to Kingston occupied three and a half days. Upon arrival at Kingston, on the score of expense, the crew (Messrs Richardson, Arthur, Simpson, T. Irwin, J. Roderique, H. Pankhurst,

E. Hogg and J. Pankhurst, the coxswain) decided to row to Queenstown, and arrived there about noon. The visiting crews were unsuccessful in their first race, being swamped; but won the four-oared and two-paired oared events later. As the prize money was on .a liberal scale, Mr Pankhurst said, the visitors were satisfied, having | also enjoyed the outing. The six-oared boat remained in the Lake district, the owners having disposed of it by means of a raffle, which realized £4O. Football. The first match in the junior football competitions was played on the local recreation ground on Wednesday between the Otautau and Riverton Clubs. An even game throughout was watched by a fair number of spectators, honours eventually going to the visitors, who won by a try to the home side’s nil. Mr M. Lyng was referee. Muir and Brown were the most conspicuous of the visitors, Saunders and Colman being prominent for the seasides. General. Sunday next will be observed as a . National Hospital Day at the local Presbyterian Church. Mr Norman Beer has altered the name of his well-known launch, which will now be known as “Aparima,” late Wairuna. The Library Committee has recently received a further consignment of new books and these have been placed upon the shelves of the institution. The latest importation comprises the fol-

lowing: "Connie Morgan With the Forest Rangers,” by J. B. Hendryx; “The Uphill Climb,” B. M. Bower; "The Gates of Morning,” H. V. Stacpoole; “The Pillar of Fire,” H. C. Bailey. “Partners of Chance,” H. Knibbs; “Landmark,” E. V. Lucas; “A Cure of Souls,” M. 'Sinclair; “Charmeuse,” E. J. Thurston; "Pencarrow,” N. M. Scanlan; “From Two Points of View,” M. O’Neill; "The Marylebone Miser,” E. Philpotts; “Beyond Control,” Rex Beach; "Blue Distance,” J. Sutherland; “The Wanderings of Asof,” by Alghan; "Oak Iron,” J. B. Hendryx; “Me and Peter,” R. Watson; “Bleke the Butler,” W. Le Quex; “Typhena,” Eden Philpotts; “The Gellini Plaque,” Harold MacGrath. Saturday and Sunday were cold, wintry days and week-enders had to put up with the discomforts of exceptionally cold conditions. During Saturday night heavy gales prevailed, with occasional claps of deafening thunder, and in the morning residents awoke to find the ground covered with hail and sleet, but tov/ards the afternoon it had disappeared. Conditions during Sunday were not much better, heavy gales and rain being the rule. Monday morning, however, broke a shade better, with a promise of a change, which would be appreciated by all, especially the farming community. The rivers are carrying a considerable amount of fresh. The local A and B basketball teams played their first friendly match of the season on Wednesday, both teams scoring wins.