OPUNAKE NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1927, Page 7

OPUNAKE NEWS.

OPENING OF GOLF SEASON. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FORMED. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The official opening of the Opunake Golf Club was held last Wednesday afternoon. The weather was not very favourable but, nevertheless, there was a very fair attendance of members. Mr. Graham Hammond, president of the club, declared the links open and afternoon tea was provided by the Sadies at the clubhouse. During the afternoon a mixed foursome was played, resulting in a tie between O. Webby and Mrs. Stephenson and A. Hindi and Mrs. Whitehead. The winning pairs decided to toss, and the trophy went to Mr. Hinch and Mrs. Whitehead. The Seaside Society are working hard to make the fete on Easter Monday a great success. The Railway Department is running a special train from Hawera, which will stop a the intermediate stations to pick up country residents. On Tuesday evening a meeting of those interested in the formation of a chamber of commerce was held. About twelve intending members attended, and it was decided to form the body, to be called the Opunake Chamber of Commerce. It is expected that it will become a useful and healthy organisation.

Mr. T. S. Hickey was appointed chairman, Mr. R. E. Baeyertz secretary and treasurer.

The subscription was fixed at 5s per annum. At the inaugural meeting it was decided to ask the Town Board for the free use of the Town Hall supper room for the monthly meetings. During the meeting the secretary referred to the remarkable growth of Opunake during the last six years. The town has nearly doubled in population, a hospital has been erected, a hydro-electric system has been commenced, and is running successfully, the railway was through, the harbour was almost completed, Opunake had become the centre of the best reading system in the North Island, and building had been brisk, this year promising to be one of the best. Opunake has also the best beach of its kind in the North Island. It is expected that the newly-formed chamber will-do much to exploit Opunake’s possibilities. The hope was expressed at the meeting that the country people would take an interest in the chamber. It was to their advantage that Opunake should go ahead. The main street at Opunake has now been tar-sealed from bridge to bridge, and the contractors arc making satisfactory progress with similar operations in the side streets. The country people should now do more business at Opunake. The Rahotu residents may now avail themselves more frequently of the ten miles of flat, tar-scaled road to Opunake than in the past. The Girls’ Club commenced holding its meetings in the club rooms last Monday night. Mr. and Miss Fcaver, who are leaving for a trip to England this month, were given a presentation at their residence last week by their numerous friends. The many friends of Mrs. A. McLean will bo sorry to learn of a motor accident which occurred to her when returning from a trip to the mountain on Sunday. The car is said to have skidded and Mrs. McLean received injuries which will necessitate her. being laid up for some little time. She is said tp be progressing favourably. Mr. G. Boyle, who has been secretary and bookkeeper for Mr. A. E. McDonald for some years, was married on Saturday to Miss Judd, of Manaia.