CENTENARY OF RIVERTON

Southland Times, Issue 23254, 17 July 1937, Page 11

CENTENARY OF RIVERTON

Monthly Meeting Of

Directorate

SPLENDID PROGRAMME ARRANGED The monthly meeting of the centenary celebrations directorate was held recently. Mr T. Borland presided over practically a full attendance. The Automobile Association Publishing Company wrote requesting that they be supplied with a compact story of up to one thousand words, and a picture for publication about the centenary celebrations. The letter also requested that a programme be forwarded to them on completion. This matter was left in the hands of Mr Patrick to deal with. Mr Borland in his capacity*as chairman of the Industries Fair Committee submitted a comprehensive report on the committee’s activities to date. He stated that there was every reason tp expect that the fair would be an outstanding success, as evidenced by the unhesitating support of the manufacturers. In giving a detailed report on the proceedings of the last meeting of business, people, Mr Borland stated that a satisfactory report had been received from Mr Girvan who had represented the Industries Fair Committee on a visit to Dunedin for the purpose of interviewing individual manufacturers and securing their assistance. Mr Borland, in continuation, intimated that Constable Fraser of Riverton had generously offered to stage a demonstration of. horsebreaking during the Industries Fair Week in aid of centenary funds. ART UNION Mr A. Dooley in submitting a verbal report on the art union proposal stated that he was sorry that he was unable to give a definite recommendation to the directorate. As a result of inquiries he had been informed that it was necessary to dispose of 2500 tickets at 1/- for prizes of £2O and £5, and he was accordingly not sufficiently optimistic to recommend the directorate to proceed with the matter as he very much doubted that the financial gain from the operation of such a scheme to

liquidate the liabilities of the company would justify the organization and work entailed in running it.. Continuing, Mr Dooley said that if such a scheme was to prove a financial success, it would be imperative that it would have to gain a wide-spread appeal throughout the district and consequently extensive organization would be involved. Mr H. E. Philp emphasized that, m the event of an art union being held, it would be advisable to have it drawn during or preceding the celebrations. He was of the opinion that if an art union was run in the near future there would be a meagre possibility of disposing of 2500 tickets. After considerable discussion, Mr Patrick made a recommendation that the directorate forward to the carnival committee, who have this matter under consideration, two gold medallions as prizes for a raffle to be conducted under the direction of the carnival committee. The date of running the raffle and any further detailed arrangements was left in the hands of the carnival committee to deal with. His recommendation was approved. It was resolved on the motion of Mr Walker to eliminate the golf tournament from the centenary programme. Mr Girvan reported that he had approached the Rev. J. Blight with a view of securing his services as director. His interview had been successful, Mr Blight readily consenting to act as a director and give every assistance towards making the sports tournament a success. . Mr Girvan reported that durmg his visit to Dunedin recently he had discovered that a certain individual .had manufactured badges relating to the centenary celebrations. Following considerable discussion on this matter it was resolved that the directorate, although having no power to stop the sale of such badges, would strongly emphasize to the public that the badges, as manufactured under the direction and with the approval of Riverton Centenary Celebrations Limited, would alone be recognized as official badges. OFFICIAL PROGRAMME Mr Girvan on behalf of the programme committee submitted the following complete official programme, subject to minor alterations: —December 26 (1937): 11 am. and 7 p.m. Special Centenary Church Services; 3 p.m., Unveiling of Memorial (Pearl Point); 8.15 p.m., Combined Centenary Church Service (Empire Theatre). December 27: 10 am., Regatta; 8 p.m., Regatta dance, illuminations and side-shows. December 28:‘ 2 pm., Aquatic sports, swimming races, etc.; 7.30 p.m.. Fancy dress parade and unofficial opening and gala at recreation ground; 8 p.m., opening ceremony and social (Empire Theatre). December 29: 1 pm. Sports carnival (Tuatapere A. and A. Association); 8 p.m. plain and. fancy dress ball (Empire Theatre), illuminations and side-shows. December 30 (children’s day): 2.30 p.m. Fancy dress parade—pets’ parade, model plane flying at Recreation Ground; 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Arts and Crafts Exhibition (public school); 7.30 p.m. Whippet racing (Recreation Ground); 9 pm. R.S.A. Western District Reunion (racecourse). December 31: 2 p.m., Arts and Crafts Exhibition (continued); 9 p.m., Venetian night on the river; 12 p.m., Midnight fire-works display. Greeting to 1938. January 1 (1938): Tuatapere sports and Bluff regatta (free day); 8 p.m. pictures and side-shows. January 2: 11 am. and 7 p.m., Church services; Motor and launch trips, etc. January 3: Grand parade, landing ceremony and Maori day; 8 pm., Pictures and sideshows. January 4 (old identities’ day): Picnic and sports; 8 p.m. Old Timers ball Illuminations and side-shows. January 5: 2 pm. and 7 p.m., Flower show (public school buildings); 2.30 p.m., Children’s races in Palmerston street; 8 am., Sports tournaments; 8 p.m., Pictures and side-shows. January 6: Flower show and sports tournaments (continued), side-shows. January 7: 8 am.: Sports tournaments (continued); 8 p.m., Old Timers’ Concert January 8: Finals of sports tournaments; 7.30 p.m., fancy dress procession to Recreation Ground, gala; 10 pm., unofficial closing; 10.30 p.m. Grand Finale. Mr Patrick recommended that an old timers’ race meeting be held during old identities’ day, on Tuesday, January 4. Mr R. J. Walker also spoke in favour of the recommendations suggesting that in the event of such a function being held there might be a possibility of gaining the assistance of various Hunt Clubs throughout the district

Mr Patrick’s recommendation was approved. Mr Patrick also made a recommendation that during the aquatic sports programme a bathing beauty competition be held. This recommendation also received favourable comment from various directors and it was accordingly agreed upon. . Mr Dooley, chairman of the carnival committee, submitted a. yery satisfactory report on its activities stating

that it had raised the sum of £B7 to date. Mr Girvan in reporting on his activities during his recent visit to Dunedin emphasized the great extent of enthusiasm displayed by the residents of Dunedin with whom he had come into contact. Several Dunedin people had expressed the wish to see, during their visit to the centenary celebrations, an extensive collection of photographs, old manuscripts, and books relating to the early life of Riverton and district