OPUNAKE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1675, 6 April 1904, Page 27

OPUNAKE

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The local bandsmen held their annual “social” on Friday evening last when there was a good attendance. Mr Humphreys supplied the music, and all the officials worked hard to make the “social’’ one of tne most enjoyable we have had here.

The Faster carnival in aid or St. Theresa’s Monastry opens in the Town Hall on April 2nd. A thorough canvas has already been made, and the convents of the district have contributed numerous works of art. The side shows include. “post office.” hat- trimming for gentlemen,” a gipsy tent” and “a sheep weight-guessing competition.*’ Mr McCurdy, colonial organiser of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, who is now on a visit to Taranaki, gave an address here last week, and in a speech lasting an hour and a half, explained the-objects of the union, and the benefits to be derived from organisation.

Readers of the “Mail” will be sorry to learn that Mr John Stevenson, chairman ol directors of the Piiiama Co-operative Dairy Factory, recently met with a nasty accident by being thrown from his gig. Mr Stevenson had several of his ribs broken and was badly shaken. The recent bush fires are still the first topic of conversation among the farmers many of whom lost large areas of grass. This scarcity of feed was evident at the “weaner fair” on Saturday, when many had to sell off their young stock, and the demand was not so keen as it otherwise would have been.

At the conclusion of business at the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday Messrs McDavitt, Edmunds and Espeuce, representing the local oar, paid high tribute to Mr Stanford, S.M., wno has ©resided over this Court for seven years and is now to take up similar duties in the Wanganui district., f March 31st.