OPUNAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 98, 23 March 1881, Page 4

OPUNAKE.

(from our own correspondent.)

The unpardonable apathy on the part ■of the Taranaki Education Board, in not providing school accommodation for the children of this place, calls for the immediate and united action of the residents of Opunake, so as to bring the matter under the notice of the Minister for Education, with a view of obtaining redress. Great indignation prevails, and many unfavorable comments are passed, with reference to the Taranaki local bodies. A petition is now in circulation for signature, to be forwarded to Wellington forthwith, praying that the Minister referred to will at once concede to the people of the district that which they are justly entitled to. Should this not have the salutary effect, then we must wait on our representative, the Hon. Major Atkinson, who is expected early, and urge upon that gentleman the necessity of giving us a school for (as already stated) an approximate number of forty children.

A man named George Taylor died rather suddenly about a week ago. He was employed in the formation of the new road between Opunake and Rahotu. His remains were interred here on Tuesday week. From what I can gather, he had not been long in the colony, and was a native of Birmingham. Some express surprise at there not being a post mortem examination. The circumstances surrounding his decease I have yet to learn, when I shall duly apprise you of.

There are five new buildings in course of erection— namely, Messrs. Middleton Bros' extensive stables, Mr. E. Bayly's butcher's shop, and three cottages.

The Samson arrived on Tuesday week from Manukau, but only landed goods consigned to the A.C. canteen, after which she proceeded South. People were sadly disappointed at not being able to have their goods discharged, especially Mr. Nicoll, from Manaia, who had sent his team from the latter place, but it had to return empty. The weather was most propitious in the bay. There being only the government boat available (the private one being undergoing repairs) could not tender the steamer properly; therefore had to take the private cargo on, which has occasioned great inconvenience to the public. Considering the growing importance of this township, it is a wonder the Government does not supply a good surf -boat, as its cost would be very shortly recouped in the enhanced value of the land.

I understand that it is the intention of Mr. Prosser to run his coach through to New Plymouth three times a week, leaving Hawera on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and returning on alternate days.

Mr. Fawoett, addressing his constituents in London, said he found when he took office that Lord John Manners had commenoed negotiations with railway companies as to a parcels post. These negotiations had been continued, and tho Post Office had been met in suoh a manner by the railway companies, that he had reason to believe that, in a short time, a parcels post would be established throughout the country on a most simple basis. If a parcels post were established in England, he hoped to make it an international post, enabling people to send parcels, not only to the Continent, but India, and, he believed, all our colonies.