Earthquakes Hit Opunake

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32360, 28 July 1970, Page 10

Earthquakes Hit Opunake

(N.Z. Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH. July 26. Two sharp earth tremors, preceded by “an awful rumbling noise,” were felt in Opunake and surrounding areas on Saturday night. Mrs A. M. Moffat of Tennyson Street, Opunake, said tonight that both tremors were “pretty sharp jolts.” The first was about 8 p.m. and the second about 15 minutes later “We heard this loud rumbling noise and thought it was someone running past the house until the doors started to shake,” said Mrs Moffat. A milder tremor was felt in the town about 3.30 p.m on Thursday, she said. A report from Rahotu said several minor tremors had been felt in the township, which is about 12 miles from Opunake, earlier in the week.

The development of Wooiworths in the 1970 s will be marked by the establishment of much bigger stores carrying vastly increased ranges of goods and incorporating many new departments and services. This was announced by Mr J. D. Liddle, the company’s manager for New Zealand when discussing plans for the 33,000 sq. ft supermarket (shown above) to be included in the St Luke's Square shopping centre complex now under construction in Auckland. -Mr Liddle said this supermarket would incorporate new features such as an inbuilt bakehouse and a revolutionary approach to the processing and selling of meat. The company’s plans for its variety stores provided for extensions in improvements to numerous units. The supermarket in Hornby will be converted to accommodate an increased range of food before Christmas. Other supermarkets in the Christchurch area are scheduled for alterations early in 1971.

“The union expresses the hope that all clubs will give this venture their full support.” These are the key words from the circular delivered to all under-weight Rugby coaches, promoting next Saturday’s junior teams parade to be held at Lancaster Park, commencing at 2.30 p.m. This parade, inaugurated last year, illustrates a most important facet of junior Rugby in Canterbury the visual impression teams create even before

they begin to play. Such details as clean boots, and shorts, uniform socks and jerseys are, as many enthusiasts will say, not enough to make a footballer: but they do create the impression of a team which cares about its appearance, and by extension, will care about its Rugby too. The Junior Advisory Board has accorded proper importance to this aspect of underweight Rugby by giving it a place of prominence ,in the local Rugby event of the year the final of the Harewood Trophy. The parade will be piped on its way around the Oval; it will be judged carefully and should provide the colourful and happy atmosphere which is characteristic of junior Rugby itself. Teams will assemble on the south ground at 1.45 p.m. and following the parade will be assembled in No. 5 stand to watch the Christchurch-Uni-versity A final. Coaches and clubs are urged to support this well-planned venture. The “match-of-the-day” at North Hagley Park on Saturday was the under 6st A fixture between Albion and Burnside. The more experienced Albion side, relishing the firmer ground, showed considerable ability in playing “open Rugby” to amass a 12point lead by half-time. At this stage first fiveeighths, Ralph Robinson, was in good form and was well supported by the splendid passing of half-back, Grant McWhirter. The Albion forwards, led by Mark Van Oyre, a tireless lock, and Michael Hansby, a surprisingly mobile front-row toiler, had established. considerable superiority.

However, in the second spell as the Burnside players became more confident, they began to bustle Albion into mistakes. During a long period of sustained attack the Burnside full-back, who timed his entries into the back line astutely, scored two tries and only three points separated the two teams with 10 minutes of play remaining.

Burnside attacked with enthusiasm and won much good ball: hooker Kevin Newell won several vital tight - heads and Peter Henderson, recently recovered from injury, was in grand form. Although Albion retained its three-point lead to the final whistle, there is no doubt that Burnside's play was of such quality that perhaps a draw would have been a more fitting result. The Sydenham under sst A side has had a successful season, at the moment occupying fourth position in the competition. Recently, however, influenza has hit the team hard, taking several vital players out of the game.

This team entertained the visiting Fijian Rugby players on Saturday morning with their own haka, which is performed with much enthusiasm and no little skill. Had the Fijians stayed to watch this team in action they might have been impressed with the play of half-back Alan Laurent, a very sure passer of the ball: also Clive Stone showed determination with the ball in hand, while Ewart Hay was a hard-work-ing prop. Recently the Shirley under 7st team made the headlines when its match against the competition leaders, New Brighton, was abandoned at half-time-'at which time the score was almost 60-0 to New Brighton. This is the type of publicity which the Junior Advisory Board should be very careful of sanctioning. The Shirley team is quite simply out of its grade—something will have to be done, perhaps a re-grading to the under 6st 71b grade. The coach and players of the Shirley side have the courage and sportsmanship to return week after week and try their hardest against vastly more experienced sides. This is not a funny situation. There are a few occasions in the under-weight Rugby season when one sees a perfectly executed, well-planned move. The Burnside A team in the under sst 71b grade achieved such success on Saturday. From a penalty kick in the left-hand corner of the field, about 10 yards from its opponents’ goal-line, a wellpractised deception took place. . xl _ The majority of the

players raced into the middle of the field—a passing movement was likely. The tap kick was taken, but instead of a long pass, the ball was held and one man, a forward charging from a further 10 yards back, plucked up the ball and crashed over the line as the opposition tried desperately to return to that corner of the field. This type of intelligent Rugby is typical of a very good Burnside team. The Belfast under sst A team has had a mixed season as a comparatively inexperienced combination. The major fault this team must overcome is a lack of organisation on attack: too often on Saturday, backs were rucking and tight forwards running and passing. However, this team is a very strong defensive unit where both Calvin Holland, a prop, and Bruce Drumm, a flanker, are outstanding tacklers. Behind the scrum the half-back, first fiveeighths combination of Matthew Brown and Paul Span-; ger is very efficient. Belfast's opponent on Saturday was Suburbs, which has lost only three matches this season, although it has also drawn three games. This team is very fast to the loose ball and shows considerable competence in winning ball from set play and rucks. The back-line is strong, with first five-eighths, Steven Oliver, a calm and collected tactician,! and a penetrative cfentre, I Evan .Peterson, outstanding.■ In the forwards Neil Mackay is becoming a good hooker, while Barry Ward always gives of his best in the tight play.