OPUNAKE BEACH FETE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1931, Page 12

OPUNAKE BEACH FETE

MEW PAVILION ERECTED

OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY.

ENJOYABLE DAY ON SANDS.

It was unfortunate that the weather yesterday morning was very unsettled in the Opunake district, as it detracted from tlie attendance at the Opunake Seaside Society’s annual fete. Additional interest was aroused in the fete this year in view of the fact that it marked the official opening of the new concrete? pavilion that has replaced the wooden structure destroyed by fire. The society, a voluntary body of enthusiastic workers, has not wasted much on ornamentation but has provided a structure that will be welcomed alike by the casual visitor or the picnic party, providing an appointment that will add to the popularity of the beach. The pavilion is built in bungalow style with a spacious open verandah running round it, except for a small portion which is utilised as a kitchen. The verandah, which is. always open to the public, is equipped with tables and fittings -oi al fresco luncheons and afternoon tea. The tea pavilion itself is a spacious room 25ft. by 25ft. neatly finished and with an open fire place that will make it a very cosy hall for euchre parties and such functions. In a corner of the verandah is the kitchen with two coppers for hot water, ample benches and cupboards, and in front of- the building are two shops 12ft. by 12ft. At the time set for the opening cere-, mony the weather had greatly improved. The warm sun tempted many into the breakers. There was plenty to occupy the attention of visitors, with a -number of races for the children, pillow fights and other sports as well as a demonstration of life-saving by a’ team from the Opiiriake Life-Saving Club. The Qpunake Federal Band under the baton of Conductor J. Humphries rendered an enjoyable programme of music. A MYSTERIOUS FUND. In extending a welcome to. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., and Mrs. Wilkinson, as well as Mr. T. P. Hughson, chairman of the Opunake Harbour Board, Mr. T. H. H. Sinclair, president of the Opunake Seaside- Society) thanked all who had braved the elements and attended the fete. He pointed out that the seaside society in improving the facilities at the beach was not only doing a great work in the interests of the town but was also adding to the pleasure of those residents of the country district who visited the beach. There was still a lot of work to be done but the society could not do it without money. It had a certain amount in hand which he would ask Mr. Wilkinson to have augmented from some mysterious fund so that before the next fete the society might have created a greater playground in what was now the swamp. He expressed appreciation of the assistance given to the society by the Opunake Harbour Board. Mr. Hughson remarked that he had visited various seaside resorts in New Zealand and in his opinion the Opunake beach would compare very favourably with any of them. He congratulated the society on. its splendid efforts to cater for the general public, as well as the residents of the district. The Harbour Board as owner of the reserve recognised the benefit that it would be to have the beach improved as a tourist resort, but it had no funds to do it and was very pleased to allow the seaside society to do the work. Mr. Wilkinson said that if there was one thing that tended towards health and strength it was the fresh breezes that they sometimes had on the Opunake beach. The seaside society was a very progressive body that evidently did not believe in allowing the grass .to grow under its feet, judging by the improvements it' had carried out. Regarding the mysterious fund referred to, he understood* there was still a little money in it and it would be his duty as member for the district to endeavour to obtain some of it to enable the society to carry out its plans and make the beach even more attractive. Mr. Wilkinson was greeted with, cheers. The official party was entertained at afternoon tea and the programme of sports continued. , The races resulted as follow: — Boys. —Under 7 years, James Hickey 1, Ronnie Riley 2, Dawson Prosser 3; under 10 years, Joe Hammersley 1, Tony Smith 2, Lance Hohaia 3; under 12 years, Willie Christianson I, Vic Tyrell 2, Laurie Brennan 3; under 14 years, Niel Raven I, Jim Glentworth 2, Don Mcßae" 3; sack race, Jim Glentworth 1, R. Glentworth 2, Niel Raven 3; potato race, Don Mcßae. 1, J. Coltart 2, Willie Goldup 3; three-legged race, senior, Niel Raven and Don Mcßae 1, Reg Glentworth and Albert Garrett 2; hopping race, R. Alty 1, W. Goldup 2, Dan Mcßae 3; consolation, Roy Walker 1, Greig Lind 2, Ted Gardner*3; three-legged, junior, Niel Raven and Don Mcßae 1, Reg and Jim Glentworth 2, R. Alty and G. Lind 3. Girls.—Under 7 years, Eileen Sharrock 1, Rosalie Shaw 2, Sarah Rakino 3; under 10 years, Maureen Feaver 1, Betty Olliver 2, Kathleen Riley 3; under 12 years. Cissy Smith 1, Dorothy Dobbs 2, Violet Gordon 3; under 14 years, Betty Johnson 1, Lois Wooldridge 2, Mavis Taylor 3; sack race, Susie Johnson I, Pearl Lockley 2, Violet Gordon 3; potato race, seniors, Lois Wooldridge 1, Dora Malcolm 2, Maggie Langton 3; potato race, intermediate, Dorothy Oliver 1, Cissie Smith 2, Joan Oliver 3; .three-legged race, senior, Joyce Moffatt and Betty Johnson 1, Jean McCullum and Lois Wooldridge; Maggie Langton and Dora Malcolm 3; three-legged race, intermediate, Pearl Lockley and Cissie Smith 1, Betty Oliver and Dorothy Dobbs 2, Marion Alack and Dorothy Oliver 3; hopping, juniors, Volet Gordon 1, Dorothy Dobbs 2, Pearl Langton 3; hopping, seniors, Lois Wooldridge 1, Margaret Feaver 2, Dorothy Oliver 3; consolation, Nancy Johnson i, Olive Franklyn Rosina Cook 3; three-legged, juniors, Dorothy Dobbs and Betty Oliver 1, Gwen Davis and Maureen Feaver 2, Doris Shaw and Hazel Tyrell 3. The children's races were controlled by Mr. R. H. Hughson, stepping the chain by Messrs. I. M. Guild and T. H. .Hughson, sheep-guessTng by Mr. A. Gamlin and side shows by Air. T. Quin. The seaside committee, particularly the president, Mr. T. H. H. Sinclair and the secretary, Air. T. B. Fouhy, had made complete arrangements.