OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 7239, 4 December 1886, Page 2

OPUNAKE.

[from our own correspondent.] December 3. — On Thursday evening a treat was afforded the people of Opunake by tho visit o£ Sir W . Fox and Mr. Glover. Owing to some mismanagement of the notices very few country people were aware of the fixture, and therefore their attendance could not be given. At the last moment also it wasfouud that nothing had been done towards giving the visitors a fitting reception. However, the Revs. Allsworth and Young, assisted by Major Gascoigue and Captaiu Oapel, very soon ! had things shipshape, and at 8 p.m. two ! choirs were ready to start San key and Moody, and tho platform was well and satisfactorily furnished . Major Gascoigne occupied the chair, and after hymns from the united choir (which, by the way, were exceedingly well rendered) aud prayer by the Rev. R. Young, the chairman briefly introduced tho speakers. Mr. Glover at onco stepped forward and opened out. He is a fervent speaker, but one who seems so infatuated with his side ot the question i as to ignore the other, and who while { working in his own cause forgets to examine his subject from all points before arriving at conclusions. Hip speech, therefore, left a feeling of inconclusion on the people. Sir W. Fox, who followed, instead of preaching "' N^w Zealand Alliance " took tho " evild of drink "as his text. Coming after Mr. Glover, Sir William acted as a sedative, and spoke calmly and judiciously ou tho question, aud placed liis poiuts very clearly lrom his side. But here agaiu the matter did not appear well thought, nor would the arguiiuuts work ou, to their logical issue. For instance, Vir. Glover stated that drink caused an absolute loss to tha coldly of two and a-hal£ millions per iinuum, an i were that not so lost, every man, woman, ani child would therefrom be able to be provided with three complete suits of clothos each year, and every house would ba furnished in comfort aud luxury. This can hardly bo done, with even double the stated loss. The audience of about 80 people, many being ladies, listened attentively, and seemed determined to take the words of the speakers without loss. When ap plause was given it w.is in the right place, and thoroughly endorsed the speakers oft remark i n the intelligence of the Opunake people. That the treat was appreciated ! was shown by tho response when the collection was announced as about to take place, aud no on 3 moved but each one gave willingly towards the expanses. But when Mr. Glover descended from the platform lo take the naiiies o£ the intending members of tho Alliauce, his work was very easy, only about 4 or 5 people required his aid, all his demonstrative eloquence, all Sir William's cultured phrases, even the often tod tale o£ " Poor Mary Bohra," of Auckland ((rough had a very similar one located ac New York) or of the Sheffield blacksmith who was sold for a shilling, and who became a rich mill owner, lailuo to convince the Opunaka people that their present •.vu}s are evil, and their iiiturts pregnant with pitfalls. The fact is Hint Opunake is essentially a sober community. Probably half the aJnlt male populuttouare abstainers from conviction, atiJ Ui>j evils oC drinU aa depicted last night are unknown, while the hotels (which tho Alliance specially calls drinking shops) are recognised as well-conducted, necessary establishments, and their proprietors are leceived as desirable members of the population. The usual votes of thanks were passed, aud the meeting separated. It is to bfe hoped tliHj other of the Temperance Apostles m.iy visit the town, not from any prospective good they may I be. tvUIo to do, but rroin a d«Bire which is evinced to becomo well acquainted with all Rides o£ tho question. Dr. Wanstall anticipates giving ouo of bis " recitative entertainments" at Warea, probably on Friday, the 10th instant, when ho proposes to j;ivo th.3 "Piiaoner of j Chilon." Thip, with suitable aon^s, will | serve to pass an eveuing most pleasantly. Mr. J. C. Allen, the manager of the Bank, is away ou n woll-clesurvcd holiday, and his places is taken by Mr. Brookfidd. Mr. B.illard, the postmaster, anticipates removal shortly. Tho local trading steamers seem long iv putting iv an uppuarauce, notwithstanding the wool lying t_ir shipment. This delay has caused at least tv\o settleis to send their wool by southern ports with cerlainty, rather than allow it to lie in the Opunako shod. This diveiMon of traffic must be injuring tho town greatly. Hopes may, however, be entortainud that as the New Plymouth harbor business is aow satisfactorily settled, the. time ib not fat distant when tho Opunako jetty will be put in hand. So far tho report from ilr. Thomsom bus uot been received, but it will probably arrive in timo tor steps to bd taken in the in.inor 'jest session.