The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1895.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 73, 15 March 1895, Page 2

The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 1895.

The Oeo races take place on Monday next. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company advise that there has been a rise in the London wool market. At Auckland, on Saturday, a boy named Cottingham fell over the wharf, and was rescued by the boatswain of the schooner Isabel, Edward Hargreaves. The s.s. Kanieri, on her next trip from the Manukau, will not proceed to Wellington, returning from Opuuake to Waitara and Manukau. A press wire from Wellington states that the barque Rangitikd is now on her way to be chartered to take 350,0b0 eet of Westland timber Horae, equal to about 800 tons. We remind our readers of the first meeting for the coming season of the Band of Hope to be held on Monday next in the Wesleyan Church. During the last .winter these entertainments were well patronised, and provided a very pleasant source of social enjoyment.

Prof. Theodore Lichtwark has secured the wheelwright’s shop belonging to Mr W. McLeod, adjoining Mr Knowles’s Hotel, for the purpose of giving his exposition on “ Educating the Horse ” on Saturday evening next_

Mr J. Stitt, rinding his present premises which he has lately purchased too small for his increasing business, has lot a contract for enlarging the shop, which will be carried out almost immediately. Mr A. O’Brien has been entrusted with the work. Commenting on the fact that “from New Zealand alone not much short of two million caicases of mutton and lamb are now annually imported into England,” the Standard —yes, actually the Standard—says : “ It is undeniable that New Zealand four-year-old mutton is good, and the lamb pre-eminently so.” —Exchange.

The Egmont Agricultural and Pastoral Association intend holding an autumn show of dairy produce, utensils, grain, poultry and pigeons in the beginning of April, in the Drill Hall, Hawera. Entries close on Saturday. March 23rd. The show held by this society, under the able management of Mr C. A. Budge, the popular and obliging secretary of the association, have always been moat successful. Considering the splendid district of which Hawera is the centre, this show should be the premier one in the North Island. The Foreman of Works at the breakwater reported on Monday morning that the gale of Saturday and Sunday had caused considerable damage to the structure, and that it was necessary to effect repairs at once to prevent further damage. Instructions were at once telephoned by the Chairman of the Board to engage the necessary labour to effect repairs. In the afternoon the Works Committee visited the breakwater and ascertained the extent of the damage. They found that a section about the middle of the breakwater had subsided, and a breach made in it about 18ft through. The men were busily engaged in the work of stopping the gap, and if fine weather prevails it is expected it will be done in two or three days. Another section near the seaward end of the breakwater has been broken, and repairs are being effected. An enjoyable dance was held in the Foresters’ Hall on Wednesday evening, the object of the occasion being a farewell to Miss Barron and Miss Roberts. About 30 couples were present, including a small number from Pihama, Eltham Road, and Oaonui, and to Mrs Orchard’s playing danced till the small hours of the morning. Mr Watson was “au fait” in the duties of M.C. The ladies uudirtook to provide the for wants of the inner man, and, as usual, there was both quality and quantity. Miss Roberts, who Las been in charge of the Oaonui School for the past 18 months, left on Thursday for Lichfield, Christchurch, where she has secured a vacancy. During the time she lias been at Oaonui she has managed the children well and creditably. Miss Irvine, of Stratford, has been temporarily appointed in her stead. Miss Barron, who has gained the confidence of parents and scholars in Opuuake, leaves for Waitara in the course of a week or two. We, with their many friends, wish the two ladies every success in their new spheres. A case of stabbing took place in Dunedin on Monday last. A woman Emily Shea enterod a second-hand shop, and was followed by her husband, Peter John Shea, who asked her what she was doing there, at the same time producing a penknife and stabbing her in the abdomen. He was about to repeat the blow, when Hamilton the shopkeeper, restrained him until assistance came, when Shea was given into custody. The woman was examined by a doctor, who found a slight wound on the left side of the abdomen. It is not considered serious, but the woman appears to have had a narrow escape, for had not the knife struck a whalebone in her corset it would have penetrated much deeper. She was under the influence of drink at the time. Relations with his wife had been much strained of late, and a deed of separation had been prepared, which was to be signed in court on Thursday to settle a case in which the wife gu.h! him for maintenance.

On Wednesday morning Opunake presented quite au animated appearance as over forty brakes, buggies, and other conveyances arrived in the township from the southern aide loaded with Maoris on their way to Parihaka. In addition to the conveyances there were fully one hundred men and women on horseback. After remaining in the town for a couple of horns they proceeded on their journey to Parihaka. On Sunday next there is to be a great turn-out at Parihaka, and a large number of European visitors are making arrangements to attend. Te Whiti and Tobu have struck a good paying spec, in instituting the monthly hakas, as it is stirring up fresh interest arpongst the Maoris and causing them to attend in greater numbers. If the excitement continues to keep its hold over the Maori minds these constant visits will have a greater pauperising effect on the Maoris than tangis. The Tohuites wear a rosette of pink and white ribbon, whilst the followers of Tc Whiti arc distinguished by wearing a white feather.

There was to have been a meeting of the School Commissioners on Thursday evening, but it lapsed for the want of a quorum.

The Opuuake String Band have ordered some new music, and as soon as it is to hand they purpose getting up a concert and dance.

Messrs Newman Bros notify that they have 500 sacks of oats and 25 sacks of wheat to arrive shortly. Tenders for works for the Parihaka Road Board close on Monday next, when the ordinary monthly meeting takes place. Messrs Kensington and Julian were the successful tenderers for the Kaihihi bridge near Okato. The price is £155. It is to have concrete piers.

Wc understand that Mr Pettigrew intends taking a trip to Auckland for the benefit of his health. We hope the trip will do him good and bring him back considerably improved. At the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce meeting on Saturday last, a resolution was passed that New Zealand should be represented at the International Monetary Conference to be held shortly. The s.s. Kanieri arrived from Wellington on Tuesday morning. Imports: Claris, 2pkgs; M. Hickey, 7pkgs; Hutchens, Ipkg; Stirling, 2pkgs ; Pettigrew, ISpkgs ; Brennan, Ipkg ; Simeon, Ipkg; Newman Bros., 7pkgs; Kennedy, Bpkgs ; Moore, fipkgs; Maxwell, llpkgs; Wagstaff Bros;, spkgs. Exports: Rutherford and Sons, 63 bales flax; G. W. Rogers, 84 hides, 7 bundles skins, 3 sacks pelts, 1 sack tails.

A gift auction is being arranged for the purpose of paying off the debt on the Awatuna Hall. Mr R. Palmer has been engaged convassing for donations, and so far has been very successful. A number of settlers around Otakeho and the bush district have promised sheep, sucking pigs, geese, turkeys, fowls, and many other articles of a useful nature, so that the affair promises to be a great success. Any donations towards the fund in money or kind will be thankfully received by Mr Palmer or any members of the Committee.

The s.s. Aorere arrived from Wellington on Tuesday. Imports Newman Bros., 235pkgs; Maoßeynolds, 107pkgs; Stitt, 47pkgs ; Kennedy, 44pkgs; Wagstaff Bros., 75pkgs; Harvey (Rahotu), 39pkgs; Harvey (Pungarehu), 2pkgs; Christie, Spkgs ; McGregor, Sfipkge; Eatock, opkgs ; Simeon, lOpkgs; Orchard, 6pkgs ; Rutherford, Ipkg; U. 3.5. Company, 2pkgs; Moore, 32pkgs; Walford, 7pkgs ; Mrs Ballaid, Ipkg; McLeod, 6pkgs; Knowles, 4pkgs. Exports; Rutherford and Son, 25 bales flax; Newman Bros., 2 bales fungus ; Stitt, 1 bale fungus. The sequel to a tragic affair at Newcastle was unfolded at the criminal Court the other day, when Ann Gray appeared to answer to a charge of having murdered a girl named Eleanor Turner. The girl was a step-daughter of the accused, who had always borne an exceptionally good reputation. On the morning of the tragedy, the deceased, who had been impudent to the accused, was standing near the latter, who was sitting at the breakfast table. In a sudden fit of anger, the woman threw a knife at the little girl, which entered her breast and killed her in a few minutes. After a lengthy deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of manslaughter, with a strong recommendation to mercy. The accused was remanded for sentence.

Awatuna is assuming quite a town appearance, as it has bad a new blacksmith’s shop and also a bootmaker’s shop which is occupied by Mr B. L. Hutchens, who has moved there from Opunake so as to be near to his farm. Mr Stirling has also had to enlarge his store to nearly three times the size he orignally built it owing to the largo increase in his trade. As soon as the lower end of the Eltham Road metalling, which is being pushed on with all despatch, is completed, there will be a line of coaches running from Eltbam to Opunake, and Awatuna be placed in regular communication with both these outlets. Wo hear that Mr Prendcrgast is giving up the Awatuna School at the end of the month.

Professor Theodor Lichtwark gave his class lecture to about a dozen pupils on Thursday evening. Ho had a three-year old spirited colt belonging to Mr A. Clough to operate on. The horse was a game one, and apparently made up his mind that he was the boss of the ring, but in a very short time the professor had ingratiated himself in his favor, and horse and man became the best of friends. In the course of an hour he had the horse perfectly docile, so that one could handle him in any part without him evidencing any fear whatever. The profcssor’o explanations of every step were very lucid, and all the pupils were thoroughly satisfied with the lesson given. Once pupils join the class they are at liberty to attend any class lesson which may be given in any part of the district. This is a great advantage, as it enables them to refresh their memory on many points.