OPUNAKE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 July 1926, Page 7

OPUNAKE.

(From Our Own CorrespondentJ

INQUEST. .\n inf|i;*ist 'was held in the Couri11.iu.so on Aloiulav evening jmo the death oi : a little s^;it i. Doiothy Mildred Laurence, in a motor-cycle accident last Sunday. T’iio inquiry was heard before -Mr C. A. Trotter, J.P. (coroner), andthc following jury, composed of Messrs A. F. Finch (foreman), C. \Y. Everts, and J. Hickey. Constable J. U. denote n conducted the inquiry. The father ol the child. Clyatt G. E.. Laurence, stated in evidence that on Sunday. .Jude 27. at, d.JO p. 111., he w*,s. returning from Ancon 011 a motorcycle, with his wife and child (aged 2 years 4 months) in the side chair. When about three miles from Opunake his oveieoat caught on the chain case, suddenly pulling the cyc.'e up, causing it to tip over. His wife and child were thrown heavily 011 the road, Mid both were rendered unconscious. He arranged lor their removal to the Opunake cottage hospital. The child died soon after admission. It was his only daughter. James Stuai;t Church, medic* 1 practitioner and superintendent of the public hospital, stated he was present when deceased was admitted. He found that the skull was fractured and the brain lacerated. The ease was hopeless. The child died soon after admission. The injuries were such as would be caused by a heavy fall on a hard surface. The' jury returned a verdict that deceased met her derail by being accidentally thrown from a- side-car, no blame being attached to anyone, A rider was added that the jury desired to call the attention of loee.l authorities t» the fact that no morgue was available in Opu nake. FOOTBALL. The Panhaka Shield match between Taranaki (holders) and Xgativuanui (challengers) wn.s played 011 the Recreation Grounds on Wednesday. The game wa,s commented in showery weather, which cleared, but a cold southerly'wind continued. Taranaki p'aybd with the wind in tin? stxjll. In the first half the visiting forwards gave a nice exhibition of passing, and had Taranaki defending for some time. The home backs showed up well in clearing, with smart kicks. \\ . Holiaia kicked a goal from a penalty award, Hus being the only score in tliC T first spoil. The good showing of the Ngatirimui fvnvards gave the impression tlis»t they would win tlte game when playing with the wind. . Soon after resuming alter half-time, the visitors putTaranaki on the defensive. hut faulty handling and freekicks allowed IVrunaki to clear. The visiting forwards did not open the game so crisply as in the first spell. A great part of’ the second spell was taken up in looee scrums , and fin’e-kic-ks. A free kick in front of the posts to Xgatiruauui citabled Ttu.ru Sain to place a goal. Three jioiiits each. I'lie game from this out became fast, and sparkled with incidents, the ball era veiling: up- and down the. He’d, sometimes b.v forward dribbling rushes, and at others passing movements. Ten minutes beioiv time Puwhaka fielded the ball, and. lieating two or three opponents. sent illy leather on to Robinson. The latter passed to AlcLead. who scored. The game ended: Taranaki 6 points; Niratiihranui H. Mr P. Holmes was the referee. The Panhaka shie'd was a gilt- from tie older Maoris of Parihaka tribe to Hie voiuigor natives, to bp contested between flic four tribes at Wnitotara. Hawent. New Plymouth and Parihaka. THIRD GRADE. Knhotu journeyed to Opunake on Wednesday and wore defeated' by Opunake by IS points (4 trios, one of which was converted, mid a goal troni the field) to ni>. For Opunake tries were scored by H-oliia (J). Ru (l), and 1 Lamb converted one tiv and drop-kicked a. goal from the. field. Mr J. Trotter had charge of the game.