Opunake

New Zealand Tablet, 17 June 1920, Page 21

Opunake

(From our special correspondent.) Opunake, like the rest of Taranaki, basks in the shadow of the mountainthe mountain of all mountains for Taranaki people. Opunake has also something to be proud of in that sheltered level beach, with its broad floor of golden sands, the safest and best bathing place in New Zealand. Opunake has perhaps a world’s record for her fires, which in past days were almost welcome as a break in the monotony of a too serene existence: they may have been welcome for other reasons as well, but that is as may be and does not concern you or me at all. Opunake is also famous for a railway that is on the way. Somewhere back in the dim political twilight the line started from Eltham and went asleep after travelling a few miles. It is asleep still, and Opunake holds high hopes that some day a Prince Charming will come and awaken the slumbers of the blessed old thing. But Opunake has a new glory and a set of entirely new,records to her credit. They are not gramaphone records, but real solid financial records that will make New Zealand sit up and think. The energetic our popular pastor organised a carnival in aid of the church and school some time ago. As silently and as efficiently as that fleet that we used to read about when we were fighting for small nations, he went forward on the arduous path that leads to victory, never discouraged and never losing hope that Opunake would rise to the occasion and do itself proud once and for all. There were days when all roads seemed to lead to Opunake, so great was the throng that hurried to the gymkhana or to the horse-jumping competitions there were moonlight nights when people asked was there a ball on for a visiting Prince, so numerous were the motor cars and the various types of family shandrydans that sped with burning wheels to some grand social for one of the queens; there were occasions when you would think you were at an Irish race meeting, so noisy were the cries of the man with the bran-tub, of the man with the arrows, of the man with the feather, crown, and anchor. And it all told in the end. What was the result ? Opunake has broken several records, as we remarked already. Opunake has raised more money for her carnival than any country parish ever raised before in any part of the world. Opunake has raised more money than Auckland ever —more, we believe, than was ever raised outside of the large towns, all of which have large 'Catholic populations compared with the scattered flock between Oep and Okato. Opunake has raised—-per head of • ft ■’

the population— largest amount yet raised in New Zealand. One of these days she will raise a new school, and then a new church, that will make the rest of Taranaki green with envy; and pastor and people will say with legitimate pride:" f have done our bit; go you and do likewise." The carnival is over and the result known at last. ; The Pihaina: queen finished first; the Convent queen was .second; the Oanui queen third and the Pungarehu queen fourth, after an exciting contest. The total was great and the expenses were small. Opunake's fine record is £3200. And Father Doolaghty wears the smile that won't come off. Why not?- "Alone he did it."