The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1894.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 17, 28 August 1894, Page 2

The Opunake Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, 1894.

The poll for the Ihaia Road loan is being taken to-day. Tenders are called for the right to cut firewood on sections on the Ihaia road.

A meeting to consider county matters is to be held at Awatuna, to-morrow, at 2.30 p.m.

We have to acknowledge receipt of complimentary ticket for the opening ceremony of the Hawera District Hospital.

The Parihaka Road Board notifies its intention to strike a general rate of in the £ for current year.

Mr M. J. Macßeynolds notifies that he is importing twenty tons of potatoes, half of which will be landed at Opunake, and that he is now booking orders.

We acknowledge receipt of the Waimate Plains Anglican Church circular for September. It contains very interesting reading matter.

Notice of the proposal to raise a loan to metal the Kahui Road, which runs from Rahotu township to the Forest Reserve, appears in this issue.

Separator butter was worth 10id in New Plymouth on Saturday, so that milk containing 4 per cent of butter fat would be worth ogd per lb, less cost of manufacturing and carriage.

On Saturday last the members of the Domain Board and a committee on behalf of the footballers and cricketers visited the recreation ground to choose a site for football and cricket. They succeeded in doing so, and with a little outlay a first-class ground for each can be obtained.

The committee of the Church,of England intend holding a grand social on Wednesday, September 12th, in aid of the Church funds. Assistance is promised from outside districts, so that a first-class and enjoyable evening’s entertainment may be anticipated. It has been suggested that the dairy farmers at Pihama, Opunake and Oaonui form themselves into a union, lease Mr Stevenson’s two mills, and convert them into creameries; lease Mr Breach’s factory, and equip it as a first-class factory, bringing the cream from Oaonui and Pihama, and shipping the butter from Hawera or Opunake as it suits. This could be done at the minimum of expense, and would answer for one year. Messrs Rutherford and Sons, who bought the flaxmill at the mouth of the Waiau, are now running it under the management of Mr Pill. They have made very extensive improvements, costing about £SOO. They have erected a new water-wheel, which is a model of strength, and is on a new pattern, there being'no sides to the buckets, but instead, the wheel passes between two fixed flanges which are attached to the end of the waterrace. This lightens the wheel very considerably, and is equally effective from a powerproducing point of view. A new scutcher has been fitted, and very extensive alterations made to the main building. They are turning oat a very superior article, and command the highest price ruling in the market for this commodity.

The timber for the erection of the Church of England is now being carted on to the ground, and a start will be made with the building in a few days.

Mrs Orchard notifices a concert to be given by her, assisted by her pupils, on Wednesday, September 19th. The full programme appears in this issue, from which it will be seen that a very varied entertainment will be provided. Part of the proceeds are to be devoted to the Fire Brigade funds.

The general committee of the Opunake United Cricket Club met on Saturday evening at Mr Knowle’s Hotel when a full muster was present. The rales submitted by the Taranaki Association were adopted and a suggestion that in one day matches they should be decided on the first innings. Wednesdays and Saturdays were fixed on for practice.

We think the authorities might take some steps to have the gorse cleared from the burial ground near the redoubt, where Miss Dobie, who was murdered near here somi years ago, lies buried. There is a very handsome monument erected to her memory, and also several other headstones which mark the last resting place of our gallant defenders. In order to reach the spot you have to force your way for several chains through a thick growth of gorse.

At the meeting of milk suppliers held at, Mangatoki Mr Finn read the balance sheet to 30th June, which showed a profit of £439 2s 2d. Of this £342 5s lOd was divided as a bonus amongst suppliers, the balance, £9616s 4d, being reserved for depreciation. During the season 448,447 gallons of milk had been received, for which £5679 5s 2d had been paid to suppliers. The milk was paid for according to the percentage of butter fat, as ascertained by the Babcock test. The prices ranged from 2Zd to 3Jd per gallon of lllbs, the average being 3d per gallon. Out of 56 suppliers 8 averaged from 3Jd t? 3Jd per gallon, 24 from 3d to 3J, and was considered very satisfactory, more especially as the factory did not commence operations until late, and thus missed the high prices ruling at the opening of the season.—Star.

, The committee of the Egmont Racing Club held a meeting on Saturday evening. Furthei progress was reported with the negotiations as to the purchase of the course; and the programme for the ensuing season was drawn up. The summer programme will consist of Waimate Handicap, 80 sovs, second horse to receive 10 sovs out of the stakes. First Handicap Hurdles, 120 soys (second, 20 sovs). First Hack Hurdles, 45 sovs (5). Egmont Cup, £300; (40 sovs and 10 sovs). Hack Sires, 100 sovs first horse ; second horse, 15 sovs: third, 5 soys; nominator of sire 40 sovs and cup valued at 5 sovs; nominator of winner, 40 soya. Hawera Welter, 70 sovs, 10 sovs out of the stakes to go to the second horse. First Hack Flat, 50 sovs (10). Second Day.— Flying Handicap, 100 sovs, 15 sovs out of the stakes to go to second horse. Second Handicap Hurdles, 100 sovs (20). Second Hack Hurdles, 40 sovs (5). Atkinson Memorial, 200 sovs, second 20 sovs out of the stakes, third 10 sovs out of Second Hack Flat, 50 sovs (second 10). Normanby Stakes, 80 sovs (10). Produce Hack Handicap, 40 sovs (5) (for all horses having paid final acceptanae in Hack Sires of 1895). Winter Meeting—Handicap Hurdles, 80 sovs, 10 sovs out out of stakes to second. Hack Hurdles, 40 sovs (5). Trial Steeple, 60 sovs, (10). First Hack Flat, 40 sovs (10). Egmont Steeple, 150 sovs (20). Second Hack Flat, 40 sovs (5). Final Steeple, 80 sovs (10). The total money given last year was £I2OO, the total for tliis year is £1395. The Hack Sires for 1898 will be on the same conditions and for the same amount as that for 1897.—Star.