OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7174, 18 September 1886, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

ITON. MR. BALLANCE'S VISIT. [FROM OUR OWN CORP.ESPONDItNT.]

Skptkmber 16.— The visit of: the Nativo Minister came to a close yesterday, when, at 9 30 a m , accompanied by Mr. ttennell, Mr. Thompson (interpreter), and his two secretaries, he left en route for New Plymouth ia the Government express, and was driven by the well-known " Jacob." During the three days he has been here Mr. Ballance has had a splendid opportunity of gauging our water power. The rain waa incessant, the weather piercingly cold, and the wind blowing more than half a gale tho whole lime. On Wednesday, however, the weather cleared, and a beautiCul day would enable him to appreciate the beauties of the road and the progress of: settlement as he passed along the line. During his visit he has been rather interviewed than deputationised ;, no fovmal visits of. the latter sort were organised, but the time was thoroughly occupied in receiving residents, who either wanted to air their grievances or to satisfy their curiosity. Two visitants were particularly energetic in their endeavourß to obtaiu some satisfaction from tho Minister, one being a member of tho Presbyterian choir who wants to bo transferred from the A.C. Force to the police, and the other being an educated descendant of the native race, who rushed her land claims most pertinaciously.

An amusing scare took place at the camp. It was reported that two townsmen were carrying round a petition to tho Minister for tho removal of: the force from Opunake, but as no one had been asked for a signature, nor seen the document, it is probable tne matter was hatchod in the lively brain of some military joker. Mr. Ballance during his viiit appears to have won golden opinions as to his urbanity and his good wishes to the district, lie appears to have stated his desire to advance the town and district as much as possible, and from conversations it was gathered that he considered there was little doubt of the Harbour Bill passing next session, and that the district wus in absolute want of an outlet ; that he would bring the "Village Settlement Act" into force in any block which was ]reported to him as suitable ; that he hoped to got further five miles of the Elthatn Road put through this year, whether by A.C. labor or by small contracts he had not made up his mind ; that the Police Reserve not being taken up as expected it would probably bo in part shortly thrown open for settlement ; he was in favour of special settlement if possible of aot less than 25 families in one block ; that he would consider whether it was possible to establish some office in Opunake from which intending settlers could get information about the lands of the district. He held out no hope of there being any furthei grants for opening bush roads, but drew attention to the " Public Bodieß Loan Act " as intended to take their place. Though, perhaps, no great programme has baen presented -to tho people, they have been gratified at the manner in which their wants have been discussed, and his visit may be the means of turning wavering voters in favor of the present Government when the general election takes place.

The bad weather of the last few weeks is having again great effect oa the health of the place. The local homceopathist, Mr. Pettigrew, to whom all appear to ba looking more and more gladly for advice, reports that ho has over 30 cases in hand, and that there is hardly a houso in which there is not someone ill. Mumps have nearly left the ohildren, but are now attacking the men. Colds, &c, are very prevalent. The attendtmce at the school again ia very seriously affected, and must militate against success at the Standard examination.

Sergt. Morton, of Temuka, arrived on Tuesday to inspect the block set apart for police settlement, with a view to taking up some portion of it on his own account. This is almost, if not quite the first member of the force who has visited the district for this purpose. The sergeant's ideas as to the liberality of the regulations are not favourable, and it is possible that after all he will make a selection as an outsider in some other block.