OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1923, Page 7

OPUNAKE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) On Thursday evening at the Presbyterian Church, Mr. and Mrs. Windelburn were farewelled by the Sunday School scholars and members of the congregation. Mr. Moore, who made the presentation, spoke of Mrs. Windelburn’s services in the Sunday school, having been for some time in charge of the Sunday school. Mrs. Windelburn was presented with a silver cake-stand, and Mr. Windelburn with an electric torch. Mr. Windelburn returned thanks. They left Opunake on Monday morning, and before settling down will take a holiday in the Rangitikei and Manawatu districts. Mr. Webby, of the Mangatoki factory, has been appointed manager of the Opunake dairy factory. He commenced duties on Monday. A well-known resident of Opunake, Mr. Mick Dillon, died suddenly on Friday evening. He was 82 years of age, and had resided in this district for over 40 years. Deceased had an adventurous career prior to coming here. He joined the British navy and was a “powder monkey” at Sebastopol. Leaving the British navy he joined the Yankee navy, and put in military service during the American Civil War, taking part in many of the big fights. He saw a good deal of service in the merchant service, and crowded so many stirring incidents into his wayfaring life that it has been printed and published in book form by Rev. H. T. Rawnsley (himself an ex-officer of the merchant service. “Mick” “died in harness,” having worked the day of his death from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., dying at 6 p.m. from senile decay. The funeral took place on Sunday and was largely attended, the Rev. Father Kennedy officiating. At the last meeting of the Town Board it was decided to confer with Mr. Skitrop, engineer to the Bitumen Process Co., regarding cost, etc., of tar-sealing. The board is doing the right thing in getting all the information it can. The main road will need attention of a very practical nature as soon as possible. The greatest need is stone material, and a good deal of it; and the first necessity is finance. The full rating powers of the board will not be sufficient to give us good roads. A loan in addition to a full rate is certain if the roads are to be improved. The consulting to the Power Board (Mr. Toogood) is at present in Opunake. The canvass for power and light has been very successful. Sufficient guarantees have been received to put the scheme on a paying basis as soon as the power is available. The reticulation work is well advanced. The sharemilkers are on the “trek” to various parts of the district. For the next two months a frequent sight on ’coastal roads will be the milk waggons loaded up with family furniture, etc., followed by lighter vehicles, driven by the youths, containing the household pets. Last week Mr. Percy Julian and family were farewelled prior to their departure for Warea. A pleasant and enjoyable time was spent. The seaside bazaar was a very successful .affair financially, considering it was an | “off” time for cash and a very wet week. |The sum of £lOO was netted. A resident of Opunake who arrived here 46 years ago said: “I have not mych faith in the harbor and electric light schemes .being completed at the time specified.” i The first job he had when he came to Opunake was the cutting of the ElthamOpunake survey route. At that time the railway was to be here within six years. It is now 37 years overdue.