OPUNAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume VII, Issue 1311, 19 May 1886, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

- (FROSI OUR OWN CORRES&ONDEJtft.) K%\ T.OWN BOARD "MBBTlN&ir^- '■- The ordinary monthly ineeting of the board was held on the 10th inst. Tbere were present — Messrs. Newman (chairman), Pettigrew, Mann.and Middleton.

The minutes^, of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

INWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

Correspondence was read from, *■• H. Caplen, that he was of opinion tbat the members of the board will be personally liable if any portion of the board's fands were expended- in surveying the bay, unless the board by Order in Council were constituted a Harbor Board.

Thomas Bayly, as to a refund of rates paid upon sections of which he was not the owner.

Commissioner of the Property Tax Department, forwarding valuation roll for the three years from April Ist last.

J. M. Coffey, that he did not consider he was liable for rates, having recently taken over the property. 9. H. Drew, re dog badgea. OUTWARD CORRESPONDENCE.

To BL Caplen, )for opinion whether the board could undertake the survey of the bay.

To J Coffey, that the owner was liable for rates, and sooner or lifter he would bave to pay.

To Thoma3 Bayly, tbat no objection had been received by tbe board to the rate. No allowance could, theretore, be made.

Resolved, That tenders be called toy sinking a well, etc., on the pound reserve.

Resolved, Tbat Tuesday of any week be the day for holding sales of impounded stock, and that the acre paddock known as the pound reserve, be appointed as part of the Opunake public pound.

In the matter of arrears of rates, the names of twenty ratepayers were drawn to be proceeded against immediately.

Resolved, That the County Council be again written to, drawing attention to the state of the main road through the town district, especially to the large open drains, which ,are very dangerous and unsightly.

Accounts amounting to £16 0a 9d were passed for payment, leaving an available balance of £27 12s.

A son, aged nine years, of Mr. William Goodwin, a settler upon the Waiteika road, was lost in the bush on Thursday afternoon last. The' A.O. road party promptly furnished a search party, which commenced about 3 o'clock on that afternoon. Tbe night was very stormy, and it waß nob Until the following morning, towards midday, that tbe child was found sitting by the banks of the river, about a mile and a balf from home. No bad effects have resulted from the night's exposure, aud the little fellow knew where he was, but not the way to get out.

In consequence of no quorum of members being present, the ordinary general meeting of tbe Dairy Factory Company was adjourned until Thursday next, at tbe Towu Hall, Opuoake, at 8 p.m. Thursday last was so rough and Btormy that it was scarcely expected a meeting would be held. It would be as well for members, however, to put themselves out a little to attend en Thursday next, as in tbe event of no quorum being present then tbe meeting will be adjourned practically until next year. As all members are interested in the .company, a quorum will no doubt be forthcoming.

It is very gratifying to see tbe desire of tbe Otakeho and Manaia settlers form dairy factory companies in their respective districts, aud all well wishers of the coast trust success will crown their efforts. The raising of the necessary capital is tbe greatest trouble, and companies are usually forced to commence operations with too little capital, thereby in a great measure interfering with the successful working of the company. The holders of large farms are mostly adverse to promoting institutions of this kind ; as not being intending suppliers of milk, they do not see tbat they can derive auy benefit from assisting the company. Tbat such holders do get a return, if they desire to avail themselves of it, is conclusively proved by the fact that lands near tbe Okoia Factory are let at £1 per acre and over to farmers who supply milk to the factory. Those who know the two districts affirm that this one is very much better for grass, and as a matter of course large landed proprietors, through tbe existence of dairy factories in their neighborhood, could reckon upon obtaining at least £1 per acre for their broad acres, without the woiry and trouble of low prices for stock, which farmers too often complain of in these days. It is to be hoped that the effort to form two companies so near together at tbe same time, will not be tbe means of defeating the objeot of the promoters of both, as tbere must necessarily be a number of settlers who are divided in opinion as to which to support, and who may in tbe end support neither on account of tbe division thus existing. May 17.