OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1923, Page 7

OPUNAKE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) A meeting of the Hydro-electric Power Board was held on Friday, the chairman (Mr. Trotter) presiding. The business transacted was the purchasing plant as recommended by the engineer, whilst accounts amounting to £9OO were passed for payment. It was stated this power would be available about June. The ordinary ratepayer is cogitating over which will come first—the electric light, or the rate to pay the interest. Provision was made in the b\ll to pay the first two years’ interest out of loan money. The Town Board is progressing favorably with the separation from the county proposal. The Department of Internal Affairs office reports that the board’s request to cede from the council is to be attended to. Probably about the end of the financial year effect will be given to the board’s resolution.

A large number of motor tourists have passed through Opunake during the last three months. The trip along the sea coast is likely to be more popular ,’n the future, Opunake being a central place with good accommodation, and should therefore receive a fair share of patronage from New Plymouth’s tourist publicity bureau. Some sixteen pupils have signified their intention to attend a local high school course under Mr. W. Cron (headmaster of the Opunake school). Tb/s will be a preliminary to the establishment of a high school. Without being critically envious or parochial, your correspondent is very strongly of opinion, that parents in this district should put their boys and girls through the highest education locally, and if they show ability then send them to college. They will have the benefits of the home life. We should keep them in the country until they are keen on obtaining better educational facilities. The country life produces the best in the youth. The towns have already too many professional men who have been educated as to how to dodge work. The country roads and paddocks have a great growth of grass. Feed is in abundance. It will be a record season for yj.elds of milk, big crops of fruit and thumping big turnips and pumpkins. Some small boys landed an eel weighing 13%1b from the Namu stream, below the Opunake factory, last Saturday. They hooked the eel and dragged it into shallow water and “settled” it with stones and sticks.

I noticed that at the last meeting of the Opunake hospital committee a complaint was received regarding the internal management of the Opunake hospital. The ordinary patient—and I have spoken to a few—speak in the highest terms of the local institution. The general public appreciate the good efforts of the hospital board, and the establishment of the cottage hospital here will enlarge our sympathy for those who manage the institution that is for the benefit of humanity. I am sorry to say that Mr. J. Geary, one of our well known local residents, is seriously ill in the New Plymouth hospital. On Saturday a team of bowlers from Pihama club defeated Opunake by a small margin. Miss Beveridge, proprietor of the Opunake emporium, is away" on a wellearned holiday. Mrs. and Miss Cassidy, well known residents of old Opunake, are on a short visit and renewing old acquaintances. The Opunake Band visited Pihama on Sunday, and played a programme of music at the recreation grounds. The programme was appreciated. There is another rise in harbor developments —or loan prospects are bright. A deputation from the Opunake Harbor Board will proceed to Wellington to interview finance concerns interested in the Opunake harbor loan proposals.