OPUNAKE NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 August 1929, Page 13

OPUNAKE NEWS.

SECOND FIRE ON NAMU ROAD. (From Our Own Correspondent), Another fire occurred on the Namu Road on Tuesday night. A four-roomed house, which had been untenanted for a fortnight, on the bottom part of Mr. C. Humphries’ farm, was destroyed. The cause of the fire is unknown. The owner had visited the house, though he made no inside inspection, on the day previous to the fire and everything seemed all right. The insurance on the building was £(700. Within three days the first and last houses on this road have gone up in smoke. The insurances .on Mr. Martin’s house and furniture (destroyed on Sunday morning) were £OOO on the house and £5OO on the furniture. The owner estimates his loss at £3OO. The house was well furnished and a collection of Maori tribal relics that were priceless was also destroyed. In this house also no one was living for a week or so before the fire. Mrs. Mar.tin, in accordance with Maori custom, was staying with the relatives of the late Peter Martin (Pungarehu). The euchre party and dance held in the Parish Hall on Monday night was the most successful of the series. The hall was crowded. The prize-winners were Mrs. D. Thomas and Mrs. Callaghan and Mr. Peat and Mr. Allen. Miss White (Otakehoj donated the first prize for the ladies and Mrs. G. Baylis the men’s. The organisers were Mesdaraes McCullum and F. Hammond.

A complimentary social is to be tendered the winning team of the Taranaki Rugby competition- (Opunakc). The s.s. Arapawa delivered 32 tons of cargo at Opunake last week and was due again yesterday. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The annual meeting of the Presbyterian Church (which includes the district from Oaonui to Awa+una) was held on Wednesday evening. The Moderator, the Rev. D. J. Miller (Manaia), presided. The secretary, Mr. Johnstone, read the annual report and balance-sheet. Some discussion took place on the financial position, which showed a debit balance on the year’s work. The speakers were desirous that steps should be taken to put the financial side in a better position.

Tho Rev. J. G. Wheatley read the report of the ministerial charge, which stated, inter alia, that his predecessor, tho Rev. Preston, had done good work in tho district. During tho Rev. Wheatley’s term regular meetings had been held by the management committee. Mrs, Watt succeeded Mrs Preston as superintendent of the Sunday school, assisted by Mrs. Wheatley. Miss Scarrow had charge of the senior Bible class and a branch of the junior temperance society had been formed. The roll number of the Communion Table was 75. He appreciated the assistance given him by the Sunday school teachers and church officials. Miss Scarrow read tho annual report on the Sunday school work. The number of pupils was 2G and the balancesheet showed a credit of about £2.

Tho Ladies’ Guild report and balancesheet were read by the secretary, Mrs. Davey. It stated that the guild regretted the loss of Mrs. Preston as secretary. The Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Preston and Mr. Baeyertz had been farewclled and presentations made. The Rev. Wheatley and Mrs. Wheatley were welcomed to the district in June. The departure of Mrs. R. Campbell was regretted and the guild farewelled them recently, when a presentation was made. During the yea • successful spring and autumn shows were held. The sum of £74 had been voted to the management fund of the church and a credit balance of £5 odd was in hand at the end of the financial year. A detailed statement of receipts and expenditure was read. Mention was made of the excellent service to the church by the organist, Mr. W. D. Richards. The guild had made a presentation to him in recognition of his work. Mr. Tosland specially complimented the guild, stating their work was an inspiration to the managers. - The Moderator urged tho managers to wipe out the deficit, which could be done by active organisation. Mr. Farquhar referred to the Awatuna church, which reference, he said, was necessary owing to receiving inquiries When the chuich was first opened by the lato Rev. Shore the title deeds were handed to the minister to be sent to headquarters of the church in whoso possession the deeds now were. Ho hoped this would be the last time he had to refer to this incident, which took place thirty years ago. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Farquhar for his long and consistent work in connection with the Awatuna church. The Moderator made reference to the mission work in the district and paid a tribute to the good work carried out by the Rev. Preston and Mrs. Preston. Indications were that the Rev. Wheatley and Mrs. Wheatley would continue and increase the spiritual side of the church work. He hoped the district would be worked up to the status of a settled charge. Votes of thanks were accorded the Sunday school teachers, organist, choir, managers and all who had assisted during the year. The managers appointed were: —Te Kiri, Messrs. Coxhead, Watson, Templeton and Farquhar; Awatuna, the elders and Mr. McCarrison; Pihama, Messrs. A. Campbell and J. Tosland (elder); Oaonui, Mr. A. Lusk; Opunake, Messrs. Johnstone, Newport, S. Campbell, Byers, McCrone, Wheatley and Ross.

A vote of thanks to the Moderator terminated the meeting. Supper was provided by the ladies.