LOCAL AND GENERAL

Opunake Times, 28 March 1939, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Unique Taxi Service. — Humble member of .the, mechanical family, a trolley, with its youthful owner, played its partin the transport system last week by acting as a taxi service to a visitor to town. The visitor, who appeared to have been celebrating in customary style some event unknown, offered a handsome remuneration to the trolley owner if the vehicle were used to convex - him at his bidding. The ownei was only too willing, and, assisted by sundry small friends, he pushed his fare through the street to his destination.

Another Dry Spell. — Mild, drought conditions continue to exist in those parts of the district which did not enjoy the recent rains, and the comparison in the appearance of the country in these respective areas provides a marked contrast. Particularly in the southern portion of the district, pastures are brown and present a parched appearance, but nowhere has the position approached the serious nature of that existing some weeks ago. General rain, however, would he appreciated.

Mushrooms in Season. — That tasty table delicacy, the mushroom, is the cause of a number of early-morning excursions by town-dwellers, and pickers nil over the district report fair success. Heavy dews have promoted a generous growth, of the edible fungus, which in some places grows in profusion, and warm rains would produce an even heavier crop. One farm, always a favourite with the pickers, is said'fdhHva a greater crop this year than* ever before, and little difficulty is found in filling j sizeable containers.

Numbers Not Dwindling.— Tn length, the current summer season appears likely to eclipse records, for ideal conditions for out-of-doors excursions still prevail. While there are fewer bathers now. the numbers of visitors lo the Opunake beach on a fine week-end, such as was experienced on Saturday and Sunday, have not dwindled to the extent which might he expected. Indeed, while fine-weather conditions continue. it may be anticipated lliat the Opunake beach will at tract large crowds of visitor/' from all purfs of the province.

Practices Well Attended 1* Mofhnllf-Ts have. been iii O'ood n inn Iters for the practices already held in Opunake, and members n f n ]] grades are now in licht training. The attendances support the view that Opunake will he well represented in all Grades of competition this season. Particularly in the lower Grades tlo-e is much promising material. It Is not vet known whethe'f he usual trial o-ame vrill he held 'hinn<•■ the ‘Plaster vacation, hu J this is considered likely. Th' 1 oTfdta hie opening date for competition play is April 29.