OPUNAKE NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1929, Page 11

OPUNAKE NEWS.

FIRE-FIGHTING APPLIANCES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

The Town Board has decided not to procure a chemical engine for fire-fight-ing purposes. The financial outlay at the present time is regarded as took heavy. The board has incurred unusually heavy expenditure in bitumen sur-'y facing roads. With the exception of? the fire* at the beach, Opunake has aU good record in freedom from fires, At the present time a chemical engine?-) would be the only effective fire-fighting appliance. The services of those who were prepared to attend to such work \ would at first bo free, but such services could not be expected to be free after the first few months. Expenditure would also be incurred in providing suitable premises. The cost of pumping chemicals on a fire that had obtained a hold on premises is also a consideration. The only value to ratepayers in getting a reduction in fire insurances is to avoid fires. Nearly as much damage to stock is incurred from water - and chemicals as is from an actual fire, THE HARBOUR. . . I have been making inquiries regarding the feeling of ratepayers towards the proposed further loan to extend or complete the present breakwater mole. I find that the country ratepayers ar® solidly against further borrowing. They contend that it means loading their lands, and serving no purpose, as far. as they are concerned. Butter and cheese will not be sent via the Opunake port, nor will meat.. It is not vital, they say, to complete the harbour for ini porta-’ tions of household requirements, which, according to them, is a matter of individual buying. A public meeting will probably ba U held in a few days and opposition will come from the country, while the town people are somewhat' indifferent, but not so keenly in favour as on formei occasions. If the speakers make out a good case for the loan proposal, the )'= town residents will support it.

GENERAL.

Mrs. R. Malcolm, of Opunake, is visits . Ing relatives and friends in Auckland.' Mrs. J. Daniels is an inmate of th«! New Plymouth hospital. <'j There is a local “poster” artist Ih Opunake. Many of the local functions are notified by illustrated characters drawn skilfully and artistically. f . The Ihaia Road euchre party was well attended on Friday evening. The men’s prize was won by Mr. G. Baylis and. the women’s by Mrs. Gilshnan. Supper was provided by the ladies. SCOTTISH CONCERT. The concert by the Hawera Scottish Society in aid of the Auroa Pipe Band uniform fund attracted a very fair ai-A; tendance to the town hall on Friday night. The programme submitted was an excellent one, and every performer had to make a reappearance. Tljfe following was the programme. Selections, / Hawera Pipe Band (Drum-Major Nairn) J i'.: Highland dances and Irish jig, Miss Doreen Nairn; songs, “Dear Homeland,” “In Yorkshire,” Green Isle,” “Picanny’s Prayer,” Mrs. Dryden; recitations, “Faith,” Mr. McCormick; songs, “Barin* ‘ o’ the Door,” “End of the Road’,’ “If Ever I Marry Again,” “Wee Doch and J. Doris,” Mr. G. Simpson; songs, . “Tho S? Slave Song,” “In a Gondola,” Mrs. Weber; recitations, “Packing,” “Country U Competition,” “Sweet Sixteen,” Miss Nancy Kent; songs, “Mary,” “In the . Dusk,” “Mary of Argyle,” Mr. Burns) ■’ anecdotes, Mr. J. E. Campbell; recitations, “Same Old Game,” “The Grooms’ Story,” Miss Dorothy Clement. A short comedy, “Chrystal Set,” was delightfully given. Mrs. Twaddle acted as “Gran,” Mrs. Velwin “Gracie,” and Mr. J. E. Campbell “Wally.” The accompaniments ■were played by Miss Taylor. Mr. Brown, president of the Auroa Pipe Band, thanked the performers and the public ~ for the assistance given. Supper was provided by tho Auroa ladies. After tho concert dancing was indulged in t« music supplied by Mouat’s orchestra.