RIVERTON NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 21099, 3 June 1930, Page 11

RIVERTON NOTES

PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE CONCERT. (From Our Correspondent.) With the object of increasing their funds, the members of the Progressive League are holding a concert on the 17th inst., and those in charge are making every effort to put on a first class programme. The Austral concert party, which has been very successful in various country towns during the past few months, will make their first appearance here in a bright programme of songs, dances and musical numbers, and they will be assisted by the brass band, which will play “Colonel Bogey,’’ and a splendid Scotch overture. Ths Riverton Orchestral Society will occupy the stage during the second part, and will contribute a number of well rehearsed items, including a selection from “Chu Chin Chow,” also a medley of up-to-date medodies. Both items have been arranged by the conductor, Mr. E. Hunter. The solosits include Mrs. S. Mitchell, Miss D. McDonald (Invercargill), Mr. J. Moss, and Mr. W. Cockburn. St. Columba’s Convent. The alterations and additions to the convent in South Riverton are now almost completed, and Messrs Rattley and Mitchell, the contractors, are to be complimented on their workmanship and the expeditious manner in which they have carried out their work. The boarding school at the western end of the section is a commodious one, fitted with all modern applicances and will be greatly appreciated by all connected with the school. Ihe edifice, will be formally blessed and opened by his Lordship, Bishop Whyte, of Dunedin, on Sunday next at 2.30 p.m. Town Improvement. A great transformation has taken place along the Bay Road, South Riverton, and the members of the Riverton Bowling Club are to be complimented on the general improvement effected on and near their picturesque green. A considerable portion of the native bush at the western boundary, badly infested with the strong growing convolvulus, has been cut back, and this will give the young native trees a chance to make some headway. A small space abutting on to the concrete wall has been cleared, and will be converted into a flower bed. The work has been carefully carried out, and next season the effect of the improvement will be much appreciated. In the same locality Messrs W. A. Ashley and A. Evans have been carrying out a beautifying scheme, the former attending to the bank at Dallas street, while the latter has cleared and planted with ornamental shrubs on the front of his property sloping to the road. Round past Lee's Point, Mr. A. Calder has also been busy and has prepared a delightful spot for flowers, etc. These public spirited members of the community are deserving of the town’s thanks, and their efforts in beautifying and cleaning up that part of the south ward will be appreciated not only by the league members, but also by those residents who have the welfare of the town and its environs at heart. The Last Rites. Despite the tempestuous weather on Wednesday, the remains of the late Mr. Thomas J. Price were followed to the Riverton cemetery by a large number of friends and relatives. Officers and members of the local Masonic Lodge were present, and the services at St. Mary’s Anglican Church and the graveside were impressively conducted by the Rev. C. E. P. Webb. The performance of the last Masonic rites was led by P. M. Bro. W. J. Winton. On Sunday evening a memorial service was held in St. Mary’s Church, deceased being an active member of the congregation. The Rev. Mr. Webb delivered an earnest and appropriate discourse, the building being well filled. General. The Riverton Brass Band, owing to other engagements, cancelled their monthly concert on Sunday evening. The members of the Methodist Church choir are at present busily rehearsing the cantata, “King David,” and have decided to give two performances on the 12th and 13th inst. The Rev. F. O. Prosser, who is a musician of high merit, has in the past always delighted his audience with first class performances, and the coming one will prove no exception to the rule. The mutton-birders arrived safely at the end of the week, and report having a good season.

The Public Works employees on the new bridge are dismantling the large derrick which was utilized in pile driving operations. The recent spell of bad weather has somewhat retarded work, but with better conditions prevailing, it is expected that in about two and a-half months from now, the new structure will be nearing completion.

A well-known resident of South Riverton had a painful experience last week. It appears that he was removing a tin from his property and when throwing it away some of the contents lodged on his neck. A smarting sensation caused him to make an examination of the discarded receptacle, when he found it to contain a quantity of caustic soda. Medical aid was promptly sought and the sufferer relieved considerably. He was fortunate that none of the soda entered his eyes. At Thursday’s meeting of the Wallace Hospital Boani, Mr. J. Horrell gave notice of motion to increase the fees from 6/to 7/6 per day. According to a return supplied at a recent meeting it was shown that the present rates charged at the local hospital were the lowest in the Dominion The rough and stormy weather of the past fortnight has in many cases played havoc in the gardens, and growers of the ever-popular chrysanthemum have been lamenting the loss. This time last year some very fine displays were to be seen, but the month was not so boisterous as the one just passed. Despite the wet, few frosts have been chronicled so far, and growth is noticeable. In places the early bulbs are well through the ground, while buds are to be seen on the clematis. The masked plain and fancy ball, held on Friday evening, was a pronounced success. visitors being present from all parts of the province. The hall was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and great praise is due Mr. Edward Hunter and his assistants for the efficient manner in which they arranged all matters in connection with the ball. The Anglician Chuch bazaar fund will be greatly assisted, the door returns reaching over £5O. District football results on Saturday are: Otautau 31 v. Orepuki 8, (at Otautau); Orawia 26 v. Riverton 12 (at Orawia); Ohai 3 v. Nightcaps nil (at Ohai).