HAWERA NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1926, Page 2

HAWERA NEWS.

TRANSPORT OF PRODUCE. SUPPORT FOR THE RAILWAYS. SERVICE BY OPUNAKE LINE. (From Our Own Reporter.) Hawera, Sept. 23. Now that tile dairy season is well launched, the Railway Department is taking steps to secure the transport of produce on the Opunake branch line in respect of dairy companies operating in the district served by the railway. Hitherto the bulk of the produce has been dispatched to Hawera by motorlorry from the various factories, and the splendid state of the network of roads through this district has made this form of transport the universal one. From Normanby and Hawera freight charges on the railways between those stations and "the port of Patea, which serves South Taranaki, have been reduced on ali dairy produce by the Railway Department for some time past. The building of the Opunake branch line has, however, opened up a new means of transporting produce to the wharf. In order to solicit transport business from the dairy companies situated in the district, Mr. A. W. Wellstead, district business agent of the Railway Department, interviewed the various Companies about a month ago and placed the department’s oifer to carry produce on the Opunake line before them. The Opunake branch line was primarily laid down to serve as a means of transporting dairy produce and general freight, and it was recognised that the passenger traffic might possibly not be in great volume, especially considering the excellent car services which operate in the coast district. What the department is anxious to do is to handle the dairy produce from the district. During the dairying season the present tri-weekly train service is to be increased to four days a week, and the same reduction on freight charges on dairy produce as is at present in operation on the main line is to be extended to the Opunake service. On his former visit Mr. Wellstead received favourable replies from most of the companies, but the Kaupokonui Company could not see their way clear to send the bulk of their produce by rail since they maintained that, being on the main road, their better course was to dispatch produce, to Hawera by lorry in view of the fact that produce from many of their branch factories had to be forwarded to the main factory for curing. A suggestion was made by the Awatuna Company that a porter should be 'stationed at Auroa, but Mr. Wellstead pointed out that such a step would entail an annual expenditure of about £250 in wages while, assuming that the company’s produce was forwarded by rail the freight would perhaps amount to £3OO, and as was evident, the greater part of this would be expended on tlie porter’s wages. Last evening Mr. Wellstead arrived in Hawerd. from Palmerston North, and to-day he re-visited the Okaiawa, Awatuna and Kaupokonui dairy companies to ascertain their attitude towards the department’s proposals. In the case of the Awatuna Company, the matter is still under consideration, and a proposal has been made by the company for the approval of the department. Tire Pihama Company agreed to dispatch their output by rail from the Pihama and Waiteika stations. The Kaupokonui Company intends carrying on under the present system for the meantime, but in the event of their disposing of one or more of their motor-lorries they are prepared to divert some of their produce through the Opunake railway. The T. L. Joll Company has arranged to send 2400 crates of produce during the present season by the Opunake line. This will be drawn from six of their factories exclusive of Okaiawa and Otakeho. In these two cases the produce will be sent by lorry on account of back loading. In most cases the dairy companies have fleets of motor-lorries and the difficulty is to dispose of -them. Then again in many instances the companies run, in conjunction, co-operative stores, and the question of back loads enters into the subject. Produce is transported to the railway at Eltham or Hawera by lorry, and on the return journey groceries and supplies are brought back, thus rendering the expenses much lower than in the ease of a one-way load.

SUNDAY TRAIN SERVICE. The Sunday train service inaugurated by the Railway Department last year between Hawera and New Plymouth was entirely successful, both from the point of view of the travelling public and the department. In conversation with a Daily News representative to-day, Mr. A. W. Wellstead, district agent of the Railway Department, stated that the service would be operated again this summer, and would commence much earlier than was the case hist year. “THE RUNAWAY GIRL.” The third performance of the Hawera Amateur Operatic Society’s production, “The Runaway Girl,” was given at the Opera House, Hawera, this evening in the presence of a large house, and it was enthusiastically received. During the whole course of the production, there was not a dull moment, and there is no doubt that the performers attained an even higher standard than on the opening night. Miss Elsie Williamson, as Winifred Grey, “The Runaway Girl,” thoroughly endeared herself to the people of Hawera, and her unconstrained acting delighted everyone. Her singing is particularly good, and the charming little “Winnie” is to be heartily congratulated on her splendid work. Messrs. Ralph Vivian, W. Stephen Gibson and A. Gray as Flipper, Lord Goodie and Brother Tamarind, ami Mrs. B. L. Joll and Miss Wilson, as Alice and Carmenita respectively, are an incomparable quintette, and their splendid acting contributed considerably to the success of the play and kept the audience in an atmosphere of merriment. Alias Ekdahl was admirable in her portrayal of Lady Coodle, and her every appearance provided good entertainment. Mr. F. Low, as Guy Stanley, the hero, was in good form and sang well. The leader of the Gypsy Band, Leonello (Mr. J. D. McQuin) was again one of the most successful characters in the production. He was admirably suited to his part and was 1 undoubtedly the outstanding singer amongst the male joices. Miss Myra Morrissey, as Doro-

thy, made a very favourable impression on the audience by her singing and her free and easy deportment. Apart from the leading characters, others filling less important roles deserve praise for their capital singing and acting. The orchestra, under Mr. F. Ollerenshaw, was in good form with Mrs. Graham as leader, and materially assisted in the smooth running of the production. Hawera people have every reason to be proud of the success achieved by the Operatic Society, all of whom are local amateurs. The dressing in many of tlie numbers is of local manufacture and the large orchestra is composed of local musicans.

GENERAL ITEMS. As a car was turning a corner from Union Street a few days ago one of the back doors opened and a small child rolled from the car, striking the running board and falling to the road, just missing being run over by tlie rear wheel. A heavy parcels lorry was following close, and it was only by suddenly applying the brakes that a serious accident' was averted. As it happened the child was not harmed. Mr. A. W. Wellstead, of the Railway Department, informed a News representative to-day that lie had made representations to the department in. regard to the removal of the stock yards at the Hawera station, and an officer of the department had telegraphed the Hawera Chamber of Commerce that lie would be prepared to meet them as he passed through Hawera, but none of the members of the chamber had turned up. There was, however, little possibility of the department acceding to the chamber’s request in view of the projected building of a new station at Hawera. The decrease in milk production in Soutli Taranaki for the months of July and August is evidently general, since the Awatuna Company lias experienced a decrease of more than the 8 per cent, in the ease of many other companies, and this despite tlie fact that more cows are coming in than was the case last year. The country on the Waimate Plains is beginning to take on a green aspect at present, and it appears that there is somewhat of a spring in the grass.

PERSONAL. Mr. A. W. T. Trcgurtha, recently of the railway staff in Hawera, has left for Nelson. Prior to his departure he was the recipient of a presentation from the station personnel. The vacancy has been filled by Mr. H. A. Higgs, ivho conics from Nelson.