OPUNAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume III, Issue 379, 27 December 1882, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

(from our own correspondent.) At a public meeting held here some time ago a committee was elected to look after tho iuterests of the town and surrounding country, and to co-operate as far as possible with the Opunake Town Board. At the last meeting of the committee it was decided to write to the Hon. Major Atkinson, asking for 250 or 300 copies of Mr. Hursthouse's survey plan of the Opunake bay. The committee did not ask them for nothing : they offered to pay cost price. " God helps those who help themselves," sayeth the old adage. Major Atkinson has telegraphed, stating that the plans will be forwarded by Saturday. It is intended to forward them to all the different Chambers of Commerce, public libraries, merchants, shipping companies, &c, iv the colony. Mr. Hursthouse was not instructed by the department to report on the feasibleness or otherwise of a breakwater; consequently he has not done so. But in private conversation with the chairman of tho Town Board and others, Mr. Hursthouse has expressed his unqualified belief that a breakwater is not alone practicable, but quite easy to make. At the point where the Ilnwera creek flows into the Bay there is a line of water iudicated on the plan, whose depth at low water is 14 feet. Mr. Hursthouse is of opinion that a breakwater, 200 yards in length, could be constructed at this point for about £15,000 to £20,000. This breakwater would also be used for wharf purposes as well. Mr. Hursthouse has a better knowledge of the Bay than perhaps any other person on the coast. Many years ago he aud his brother (the present M.11.R. for Motueka) ran the Te Ngamu flax mill, and in those days they used to have to do their own shipping. Since then, he has been continually up and down the coast. He does not pretend to be a marine engineer ; but if folks here were numerous enough to form a company, I think they would prefer the services of such a thoroughly practical and observant man to those of many of tho so-called marine engineers. The work spoken of would not interfere with the larger breakwater, which is certain to be constructed when the country gets thoroughly settled. One advantage would be, that about thirty acres would be reclaimable on the shore. Thas alone, would go far to pay tho interest on the cost of construction. AYe are only a small population at present, but we are determined not to po to sleep. There are great possibilities in tbe future, if a watchful care- is kept up. Whether New Plymouth succeeds or not (and for my part I hope it will succeed) there is a large tract of country whoso natural outlet and inlet must be the port of Opunake. The road from Stony river to Opunake is such an exceedingly level one that the natural flow of the traffic must trend towards this place. Then there is the country south aud the bush couutry to be supplied, as soon as settlement takes place. All that is wanted to make the place go ahead is the leasing of the native reserves.

One or two paragraphs have lately appeared in your local columns, stating that the potato crops at Parihaka, and also between Otakeho and Opunake, are not looking well. I have spoken to Europeans aud natives on the subject, and they tell me that the crops are looking particularly healthy, although, no doubt, they would be all the better for a little more moisture, the season, so far, being an unusually dry one all over the colony, It was only this morning, that I saw half-a-dozen bags brought in by the Taungatara natives to one of the stores, and I have seldom seen better samples. Six weeks ago the Paribaka and Ngariki natives brought potatoes to Opunake, and I fancy it would not be easy to produce a better quality ou any part of the coast. There are odd patches here and there that have suffered from the drought. It is well-known that the natives are a little partial to sandy soil, and dry weather does not quite suit. However, Mr. Simpson, of the Taungatara, one of our newest and most active settlers, informed me the other day that he stuck a few dozen seed potatoes into the sand-hills on his land by way of experiment, and the result surprised him. After being in six weeks they were nearly fit for table. I remember when in Sydney, eating green peas which had only been sown six weeks previously. Else, perhaps, I should have felt rather inclined to doubt Mr. S.s statement. Perhaps some of your renders, who may not have had a like experience, may also be a little sceptical. lam quite satisfied that the wheat and potato crops north of Otakeho will give good returns, and I am only sorry that wo have not a greater amount of producers. If any of your readers come as far as Rahotu, I would advise them to pay a visit to Mr. F. M. Chapman's : by so doing they will be ablo to judge for themselves as to the quality of a good deal of land north of Opuuako. Last May Mr. Chapman purchased, and ho immediately set to work with doublefurrow ploughs and disc harrows. There is no finer crop on the coast than he can show on the sixty acres he has sown. Fruit trees and other varieties have' also done remarkably well. One of the present Ministers of the Crown once declared t<s your correspondent that many of tho farmers along this coast were pqly soratch. ing, not farming, their \ax\<\, " Half-way doius," a famous nigger preacher has declared, " wiU never produce anything in. dis world or de next." Brother Gardner was nearly right. Good ploughing and harrowing will show surprising results. lam happy to state that Mr. Dalinett will not be likely to lose his eysight, as stated in Saturday's issue. He has bad

a severe time of it, and much sympathy has been expressed for him, as he has always been most affable and obliging. Dr. O'Carroll performed n skilful operation, in conjunction wiih Dr. Alexander, and Air. Duliuett's eye is slowly recovering from the terrible shock. He can now see a little with it. The other eye, which through sympathy with the injured optic, was slightly affected, is now as well as ever.

We have some ingenious folk amongst us. One of our farmers has constructed a machine, which enables him without any other assistance to clear light scrub and flax land at the rate of half-au acre to an acre per day. I should give a description for the benefit of your readers, but as the inventor is thinking of taking out a patent, I must defer it for the present. Another fanner, with a penchant for mechanics, has invented a steamer, which may 33 r et create a revolution. The miniature model was exhibited on the lake ou Mr. Simpson's land at Taungatara, a few days ago, a large number of spectators having assembled to witness the experiment, which was entirely successful. This invention will also be patented. Advance Opunake in brain as well as muscle ! December 23.