OPUNAKE NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 191, 13 August 1900, Page 3

OPUNAKE NOTES.

(FKOJI OUR ti\VN CORRESPONDENT.)

The knights of the rostrum had a big day on Tuesday, the 7th inst., when Mr. Breach of this town sold his fine herd of cows etc. The sale, was attended by a large crowd which seemed ta consist chiefly of genuine buyers. Excellent prices were obtained for the best of the cows. Messrs. King, George, and Cock present, while die auctioneering was done by Mr. Webster, of Stratford, and Mr. Tonks of Hawera. There can be lo doubt, but that the throwing open of Mr. Breach's splendid property will giye an immense impetus to the trade of Opunake. The Opunake school football team journeyed to Eltham lload last .Saturday, and inflicted a severo defeat on the boys of that school after a most desperate encounter. With regard to the selection of the rep. team, I do not think that the claims of Opunake have been fully recognised by the suggestors of teams. Nor do I think much of the order in which the backs have been suggested. To begin with, I doubt if a safer full-back could be found in the colony than W. Lauibie. He is cool and experienced, a fine tackier, and a magnificent kick. These are the essen- 1 tials of a good full-back. Hamblyn on the wing is in his right place; but the ClaJBJg rf Qreig and. JftffSrth, should!

not be overlooked. It is surprising also that so few of our forwards caught the eye of the selectors. A team wliich' drew with Stratford for the championship cannot be weak in that department, Yet, "only one, I think, has been mentioned.

I was pleased to note in your issue of to-day that Mr. Smith's efforts on ironsand are at lasb likely to be crowned with success. This is a matter which should interest the people of Opunake. Our beach is composed almost entirely of ironsand; every bay and inlet is full of it. The offer of the Government to subsidise the production of iron from the sand open's a magnificent prospect for the investment of surplus capital. The material lies within a few yards of the jetty. Here is a chance for our enterprising men of business! What price a railway made of our own iron to connect us with the ou+er world. There is another article in your issue which touches us closely. Our roads are not quite what they might, be. The economic value of good roads was well illustrated in that article. In a town like ours which is not-as yet—connected with the other centres by rail, the value of good roads is incalculable. The cost of haulage on such roads as ours is increased more than three fold. That bad roads retard the growth of a town-such as ours, is very plain. The question as you say is "how long will suflering humanity stand it." 9th August, 1900.