The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1896. OURSELVES.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 191, 3 July 1896, Page 2

The Opunake Times. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1896. OURSELVES.

To-day is the anniversary of the establishment of the Opunake Times, and we are now entering on oar third year of existence. It is customary on such occasions to review our past year's progress, and that of the district from which we., derive our support and patronage. We have to thank all classes of the community for the generous support accorded to us, by subscribers and advertisers, and without blowing our own trumpet unduly take such support as an acknowledgment that, as far as our resources permitted, we have reasonably fulfilled the objects for which the paper was established. During the year substantial progress has been made throughout the district geuerally. Large areas of bush have bean felled, and the land brought into cultivation to become a wealth-producing factor in the future. Settlers have increased and improved their dairy herds, which has been evidenced by the increased supply of mik at all the factories. Fencing and buildiughave been going on apace, all showing that our settlers have every confidence in the future prosperity of the district when they put their total surplus earnings into such investments. There has been considerable friction between the lessees on the native reserves, and the Public Trustee, who has the administration of them. During the year a Lessees' League was formed to endeavor to induce the Government to substitute form of administration, the*ultimate goal desired by the lessees b<ing that the Government should acquire the reserves by purchase from the native owners, and thus convert the le3see3 into Crown tenants. This th y contend would be no injustice to the natives, who would get full value for their lands. If their wishes were given effect to and the Government wished to conserve the purchase money for the natives, it could be converted into debentures and such made a charge on the land, the interest being secured by the rents to be paid by the tenants. A deputation from the League went to Wellington, aud although no decisive action towards bringing about the desired change was taken, yet a great deal of good was done by making the members of the House fully acquainted with the pettlers' grievances. During the past year tho c e engaged in the dairy industry were not satisfied with the results obtained under the proprietary dairy factory system, which prevails generally in the district, and a move was made to take the business into their own hands by means of co-operation on a broad basis, but thi.? movement did not come to a successful issue, Oaonui suppliers being the only ones who decided on going in for co-operation. Whether as a result of the agitation or improved prospects during the coming year, a better price is offered for milk for the coming season, which will have the effect of putting more heart in the dairy work generally. It is undoubtedly a very slavish life, and those who -have to produce the raw material are serving of every advantage there is in the manufactured product. We hoped 'x have se-m the jetty elected before .. % but unlooked for and unfortnnateTrelays have occurred which have made the attainment of this in neb needed work impossible. Now, however, the directors have decided on procuring the material and will call tor tenders for labor only, so that we anticipate in a short time seeing it again in working order. More laud is thrown open for sett'e nent, aud wc Ibave no doubt a fair area of it will bo up and busy settlers bo found ■u" out homes for themselves ■bush now occupies the land. Hbr stood that steps ate being the lands reserved for

J the use of tbe natives in individual titles, so that the natives will be made liable for their contributions to the local bodies revenue, which is a step in the right direction. The town suffers very great inconvenience for want of banking facilities through having the Bank only open once a week. We do not think there is to be found another town in the colony with such a volume of business as naturally belongs to and which would naturally flow through it, which has not a permanent branch established. On the eastern side a large amount of the business which should be transacted its closer proximity, Is diverted to Manaia, and similarly on the western side it is diverted to New Plymouth. We hope ere long that onr claims will receive consideration, and that a branch will be opened here daily.