RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22131, 27 September 1933, Page 14

RIVERTON NOTES

PRESENTATIONS. (From Our Correspondent.) Besides the presentations he received from the townspeople and the Rowing Club, Mr John* Cunningham, prior to his departure for Timaru, was presented with a gold wtach suitably inscribed from his former employer. In asking his acceptance of the gift, Mr Borland referred to his long association with the firm—a period of 28J years—and paid him a compliment as regards his faithful service. The recipient made a brief but appropriate reply, thanking the donor for the handsome gift, and the kindness and consideration Mr Borland had always shown him during the time he had been in his Mr Harold Rogers, who has left for Dunedin, was suitably farewelled prior to his departure. Since residing at the seaside he has taken a prominent part in the activities of several sporting clubs, particularly golf and tennis, and was deservedly popular with members. Mr J. A. C. Mackenzie, president of the Tennis Club, presented him with a shaving outfit, and expressed best wishes for his future. In asking his acceptance of a travelling clock, on behalf of the golfers, Mr A. D. Angus (the president) made reference to Mr Rogers’s ability as a golfer. The guest, he said, although only a young man, had taken a keen interest in the sport and had become a club champion. While members regretted his departure, they all wished him every success for the future, and trusted that Harold would before long distinguish himself and eventually become one of the Dominion’s leading golfers. Messrs T R. Abercrombie and F. Thomson endorsed the remarks of the previous speaker, both wishing him every success for the future. Mr Rogers briefly thanked them for the useful presents, which would serve to remind him of many happy associations with the tennis and golf players during his residence in Riverton. The Early Settlers. The executive and members of the Wallace Early Settlers' Association have every reason to be satisfied with their re-union of 1933, which was one of the most successful, both financially and socially, in the annals of the, organization. An innovation, limiting the speeches to five minutes, was tried this year and met with the approval of the audience, proceedings being concluded in good time, notwithstanding a long and enjoyable programme of musical and other items. The ball in the evening drew another large audience, while one of the pleasing features was an address by Mr J. C. Thomson on “Riverton Centenary.” The speaker was accompanied on to the stage by two pipers and after Mrs Stan. Mitchell had given a fine rendering of “Will ye no come back again,” Mr E. B. Patrick introduced Mr Thomson as the town’s most . distinguished and most esteemed citizen, who had served the electorate of Wallace for many years faithfully and well although now retired from Parliamentary life. At the request of, the association he had consented to give an address on the necessity to appropriately celebrate the centenary of the founding of Riverton as a settlement in 1936, and as the centenary was a matter of provincial interest, it was hoped that the whole of the people of Southland would take up enthusiastically , the matter of celebrating the 100th birthday of the first white settlement of the province. Mr Thomson gave an excellent address in his characteristic style.

Methodist Church.

The members of the above church have decided to abandon the holding of a bazaar, and instead inaugurate a balance the budget appeal. Few public appeals have been made due to the existing depression. The circuit finances have shown year by year a slightly increasing debt, and £6O is urgently needed to meet existing liabilities. The effort, which is to be held on October 6, is a straight-out giving one. At the evening social there will be a musical programme, the usual money tree, and a monster spider web. General. Mr J. C. Thomson has offered the R.S.A. the sum of £5, provided the association build a club house. The offer was accepted with thanks. The six-roomed dwelling situated on section 70, block 1, South Riverton, formerly in the occupation of Mr J. Cunningham, has been purchased at a satisfactory figure, by Mr Howell Pankhurst, of Hekeia. The Aparima brought back on her last trip from Preservation Messrs Harvey and Goldsmith, two local prospectors, who have been down there eleven weeks, but the prospects did not warrant them remaining any longer. They report that a number of, men are carrying out mining operations in different parts, all being in hope of striking a rich find. . • u. After the Warriors service in tne Anglican Church, the choir boys met Master M. Thompson, and Master Noel Haslemore, in a few appropriate words, presented him with a fountain pen and pencil. Mrs N. Thompson suitably replied on behalf of the recipent.