OPOTIKI.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume II, Issue 173, 2 May 1874, Page 3

OPOTIKI.

(FROM OUR OWN COHUKSrOKDENT ) Kifek practice is now the order of the day in Opotiki. The two teams are going into the matches with great spirit. In the mutch between the Bay of Plenty Volunteer Cavalry and the Poverty Mounted Bay Rifles the following gentlemen are chosen as representatives :—Lieutenant Connelly, Comet Dette, Troopers Busst, Armstrong, Levy! Kirwan, Hearde, Parkinson, Dodd, Clark. In the match between the Opotiki Volunteer Rangers and the Tmiranga Rifle Volunteers the team is composed of Messrs Addis, Luitrell, McCarthy, Capper, Forbes, Downey, Etherington, Fields, and Brennan. The averages made so far promise well for the success of the final events. A new industry lm 9 been initiated by our enterprising and favourite storekeeper, Mr Bates, which is no less than the purchase, in unlimited quantities, of fungus gathered from off the forest trees. This, comical as it sounds, promises to become a regularly established trade m Opotiki. Ihe Maoris have entered into the business eagerly, and are carting up largo quantities into Mr Bates' warehouse, and the greatest credit is due to that for the spirit and resolution ho has displayed ia endeavouring to open up this new speculation. The fungus is, it appears, readily disposed of in the Auckland market. Mr Thomas Dawson, one of our most experienced and successful farmers, has made the first attempt at cultivation on the Opotiki Table Land, and has already fenced in a largo block of land and erected a dwelling house. This enormous tract of level, fertile land has hitherto bean inaccessible to drays, but was recently opened up by Mr Bates’ contract road. Mora settlers are expected to follow shortly, and thus form the nucleus of a fourth suburban agricultural district around Opotiki. viz., Otara, Waiocka, Hnkataia, and the Table Laud. The next thing we want to see is the town itself increase and extend until it unites all these out-seitlements, when we shall have a tolerably largo city. However, in the meantime, wish our pioneer settler the success he so well deserves on his now farm.