RIVERTON

Southland Times, Issue 23824, 23 May 1939, Page 4

RIVERTON

METHODIST GARDEN CLUB CHANGE IN NAME NOT FAVOURED

A notice of motion given at the annual meeting of the Methodist Garden Club, “that the word ‘Methodist’ be deleted from the name, and that the club operate as a Garden Club for a period of 12 months,” caused a long discussion at a general meeting, when the secretary (Mr T. Girvan) formally moved his motion. There was an attendance of about 20 members, over whom the president (the Rev. J. M. Blight) presided. The motion was formally seconded by Mr A. Castles. In reply to a question by Mrs Willis, who asked what thq advantages of a change of name would be, the secretary said that the fact that the club. was called the Methodist Garden Club had prevented many persons from joining. If the name was changed to Riverton Garden Club more members would be gained. Mrs Willis: If that is the case, why did the Riverton Horticultural Club fall through?, - The secretary: Because they were paying out too much prize-money for the number of entries received.

In reply to statements that the naipe of the club “debarred” Anglicans and Presbyterians from joining up and that there were objections to the profits being devoted to one church only, the president said that he had been assured by present non-Methodist members that they intended to continue supporting the club. The disposal of the profits from the club’s operations rested entirely with the members themselves. Mr Tracey King, (chairman of the executive committee) said that it, was stated definitely in the constitution of the club that any profits were to go to the Methodist Church. Even were the word “Methodist” deleted from the name, the constitutional rules would remain unaltered; the profits Would still, have to go to the. Methodist Church funds, and the minister of the

Riverton circuit would still have to be the president of the club. If the club fell through or were disbanded, all property belonging to it would go back to the Methodist Church. Continuing, Mr. King said he could not again accept nomination as chairman of the committee, but would still continue to take an interest in the affairs of the club, if 'it was decided to carry on. If, however; public support was not forthcoming, it would show that the club was not wanted in Riverton.

After further discussion, the motion was put to the meeting, and was defeated by a big margin, > only three members voting in its favour.

The election of office-bearers resulted:—Chairman, Mr J. W. Martin; viec-presidents, Mr A. Castles and Mrs Fleck; secretary and treasurer, Mr T. Girvan (re-elected); auditor, Miss E. A. Borland.

The secretary suggested that a subcommittee be appointed to arrange a programme of monthly functions for the forthcoming year, but'it was pointed out that it was very difficult to arrange so far ahead. Eventually, Mesdames Willis and Watson and the chairman and Mr King were appointed to draw up a syllabus for the next six months. A suggestion by Mrs Willis that garden afternoons and demonstrations be held occasionally was favourably received and passed on to the subcommittee for consideration.

If was decided that spring and autumn shows again be held this year, and to apply to the Southland Association for dates. While some members were in favour of giving no cash prizes at this year’s shows, others maintained that the incentive to compete would be removed if this suggestion were adopted. Mr Martin said he knew of one show in the district which had returned a profit of £20,. and no cash prizes had been given for individual classes. It was decided to award prizes only to the winners ,of sections. The membership subscription was fixed at 2/6. It was decided that members be admitted to both shows free and be allowed 12 entries without extra charge. Non-members would be allowed six entries free. WARDEN’S COURT At a sitting of the Warden’s Court at which Mr R. C. Abernethy, S.M., presided, Frederick William Slaughter was granted a residence site at Orepuki. An application by Arthur Jackson Smith for an ordinary prospecting licence on the Orepuki beach was adjourned pending the consent ' of the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb). ALTERATIONS TO POST OFFICE Because of the increased number of subscribers on the Riverton telephone exchange, alterations to the exchange room have been made necessary, and this work is nearing completition. A number of new residences is being erected at the Rocks, some in brick and some in timber, and renovations to shops in Palmerston street are also being effected. REPAIRS TO RAILWAY BRIDGE

A job which is expected to keep a gang of men occupied for a considerable time is the inspection and overhaul of the railway bridge across the Aparima and Pourakino rivers. The men are at present working on the Pourakino bridge and every bolt is being removed, inspected, cleaned of rust and greased before being replaced. A thorough examination is also made of the woodwork portion of the structure, and all faulty beams, piles and sleepers are taken out and replaced with sound pieces. Red lead and tar are applied to retard the deterioration caused by weather. MEN’S GOLF CLUB The following is the draw for a single bogey i atch which will be played on the Riverton links this week:— Wednesday.—S. D. Kirkpatrick v. P. J. Eccleton; J. D. Trotter v. L. W. De Clifford; R. K. McNeil v. J. J. Banks; F. Hopwood v. G. D. Keeler; Father Fenelon v. T. L. De Clifford. Saturday.—W. R. Cockburn v. D. B. McLeod; J. A. Lee v. C. W. Carmody; R. H. Henry v. G. W. Finlayson; C. B.

Matthewson v. J. A. C. MacKenzie; A. B. Helm v. A. P. O’Callighan; A. N. Murray v. W. McKay; J. W. Martin v. partner. Coronation Cup matches played last week resulted as follows:—R. K. McNeil beat L. W. De Clifford, 2 and 1; G. D. Keeler beat S. D. Kirkpatrick, 2 and 1; T. L. De Clifford beat J. D. Trotter, 4 and 2; J. J. Banks beat Fathbr Fenelon, 5 and 4; W. McKay beat C. B. Matthewson, 3 and 2; A. B. Helm beat A. N. Murray, 2 and 1. The following team has been chosen to represent the Riverton Club in the Western District Shield competition, which will be played on the Winton links next Saturday:— Seniors.—J. J. Banks, A. P. O’Callighan, C. B. Matthewson and W. .McKay. Juniors. —T. L. De Clifford, Father Fenelon, A. N. Murray and J. A. C. MacKenzie.