POPULATION INCREASING

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 21 February 1935, Page 9

POPULATION INCREASING

CHANGE TO BOROUGH LIKELY

THE TOWN’S MANY ATTRACTIONS

SPORTS WELL PROVIDED FOR

According to the latest statistics available the population is approaching 1101), which is sufficient to grant the status of a borough to the town. While this distinction has been enjoyed by several other towns in the province in which The population does not exceed much more than that tho Opunake Town Board is taking the matter calmly and the necessary application will [ be made to the authorities in due course. In the meantime the progress of the town goes on, and when the dignity is added it will bo well worthyto reoeiA-e it.

The town enjoys all the pleasures and conveniences provided in many larger towns. Its library which is under the control of the Town Board, has a circulation of over 2000 books, with a reading room attached. Until a few months ago the Opunake cottage hospital was under the direct control of the Taranaki Hospital Board, but although the institution still remains and gives the same pub'lic service, it is run privately by a capable staff. The youth of tile community is well catered' for in the matter of education, as in addition to the State primary school and high school, there is a boarding establishment with primary land secondary schools under the control of the Opunake Convent. All of these educational establishments are able to refer with pride to excellent records both in school and on the field of sport and play All tastes are provided for in the ■ matter of sport. In the summer there 1 ! are excellent tennis courts, as well as I j one of the best bowling greens in ;; Taranaki, while the town boasts of a > cricket club sufficiently strong to pro- , vide two full teams. The golf club . owns a splendid course, while the town is proud of its records of the Opunake > Rugby team. Among its players and former members are some who have gained representative honours and 1 have even gone beyond the provincial | team to gain distinction.

Among tin? community services provided, are the town band and the Retailers’ Association, two bodies of men serving widely different interests, hut each a necessary adjunct to the town, or in fact, any town. Tlio Retailers’ Association works on lines similar to the Chamber of Commerce elsewhere and watches the interests of the town on all matters appertaining to its welfare. The lighting of the town is under the control of the Opunake Power Board, and the source of supply is the hydro-electric station erected on the Waiaua River. Tim Domain Board has charge of a splendid park, in which there is a great deal of beauty in natural surroundings, in addition to excellent playing areas for football and cricket. The area of the town is approximately 700 nrres and the capital value is £220,000. Some idea of the richness of the surrounding country may be gained from the fact that the Egmoni county, which adjoins the town on all sides, has a capital value of over £2,000,000. Building activities have been proceeding apace during the

past two years and during 1034 permits amounted to £4OOO, while that sum has already been surpassed to the present date of the current year. These activities speak for themselves in a town of this size, particularly when they are all of a permanent nature ,and embody both residences and business premises. Surrounding the town is some of the richest dairying land in the Dominion, and it is from this section that the town owes much of its affluence. Dotted at frequent intervals in all directions are dairy factories which receive milk from thousands of cows which provides a constant source of revenue almost the whole year round. It may safely be said that there are no bad roads near Opunake, insofar as main highways are concerned at any rate, and easy access may he had to all parts of the country, while in addition to road services ,railage facilities are provided for the cartage c*f' produce and goods to any part of the North .Island without the need fo* trans-shipment.

SPLENDID BEACH FACILITIES. To most people, not onTy in Taranaki, but in many other parts of New Zealand. Opunake is host known foits beach ,which provides a splendid bathing area and in addition, is perfectly safe. There are few beaches, at least on the West Coast of the North Island, where the area is so level and where there is such an excellent fsandy stretch. Here, even the most timid swimmer may go out a hundred yards off the beach proper into water \vhich does not go beyond the depth of a person of average 'height and in water of peculiar clarity. During the summer months thousands of people visit the beach, and an excursion train to Opunake is always filled to capacity. The beach is under the charge of the Seaside Improvement Society and this body of workers have the beach very much at heart. They have provided everything necessary for the convenience of picnickers and campers, having recently completed one of the finest camping grounds in Taranaki. One of the features of the camping area is the community dining room which has been erected. This building contains all the facilities necessary for campers to enjoy their meals in comfort. On the occasion when a crowd is at the beach provision is made for the supply of hot water free. AN ANGLER’S BASE.

Being in touch by first-class roads with Dawson Falls mountain house, the visitor to Opunake can vary his outing, and if the mountain calls ho can, by an hour’s motor run, be at the mountain house. Other points of attraction are the native village of Parihaka, 13 miles north; and a visit to the Cape E'gmont lighthouse in the same vicinity is worth while. Both places are connected by a good motor read, and a visit to them fills a pleasant few hours.

Then, for the disciples of Isaac Walton, no better sport can be found than in the well-stocked mountain streams in this district. The Manaia stream, on the south boundary of the town, is perhaps the most popular, and

contains a number of good rainbow. The Okaliu, seven miles north, and the Taungatara, three , miles south of Opunake, are the best of the other numerous streams. Some excellent bags were secured from these streams during the past season and the supply has been well maintained. A - local committee of anglers annually liberates large numbers of fry and keeps a watchful eye on the wily poachers. The hydro-electric lake has also been stocked witn ramoow trout and. some very good fish, affording a maximum of sport, have been taken.