BEACH AT OPUNAKE

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 13 June 1933, Page 8

BEACH AT OPUNAKE

(From .Qur Own Correspondent.) w

IMPORTANT DISTRICT ASSET.

HOPES FOR DEVELOPMENT

A meeting of people interested in the seaside was held in Opunake on Friday night. Those present were: Messrs C. O. Edmonds, T. B. Fouhy, 11. Piarkes, J. Morris, G. Clouston,. C. 11. Marcroft, and three members of the surf club (Messrs J> N. Stephenson, W. 11. Ilaggett and S. M. Smith). Mr Edmonds was elected to the chair. He pointed out that since the Seaside Society had ceased activities some months ago, the beach had been allowed to slide. The old society had experienced hard times during the past two years or so on account of the depression and the lack of interest, shown m tlie beach by local residents.' The surf club had now come forward with a suggestion that it take over the beach and form a new, body to control both,the beach as well as the surf club affairs. Personally lie thought it a good idea, as he saw no reason why the two could not be controlled by the one committee.. The suggestion certainly showed the surf club was taking' a keen interest in the important asset represented by the beach. Mr 'Stephenson said that he felt sure the club could make a success of the beach administration if it took over. Before it did, however, it was desired to know the. financial position of the society, as the club was anxious to have a clean sheet before taking over. The club was also desirous of controlling the two bodies as one. Mr Fouhy stated that the present financial position was that the assets were valued at approximately £550, with liabilities of approximately £SO. Mr Haggett said that if the surf club took over and made a success of the work and then sent a surf team away to a championship meeting some people were bound to say that the club were spending beach money. Mr Smith said that two separate banking accounts could be kept, one for beach improvement work and the other for surf work.

Mr Foully suggested that a certain percentage be used for beach improvement work and the remainder for surf work. lie said that the beach needed advertising and this could not very well be done under the surf club's ■name. lie also pointed out that at one time the Town Board was anxious to take the beach over as a domain, but suitable arrangements could not be made with the Harbour Board. The beach, in his opinion,' should not be rated, as it was a public place. Mr Edmonds suggested that the best procedure would be for the club to take over and apply to the registrar to have the name changed and to have a new constitution drawn up, with a clause regarding the funds, as suggested by Mr Fouhy. Mr Stephenson pointed out that the beach was the greatest asset the town had, if properly cared for. What was needed was a camping ground with up-to-date facilities. It was no good advertising the beach if there were no attractions for campers when they arrived. Children,’s play grounds were another necessity.

Mr Haggett said that to improve the beach it would be necessary to stop cattle from wandering there. Trees would have to be planted, and to do this cattle would have to be kept out. Could town cows be legally, stopped from going down there? he asked. If so, the method would be to erect a cattle stop on the main' track and turnstiles on the other tracks. After further discussion it was decided to adjourn the' meeting and ask the surf club to present definite offers to a further meeting.

GENERAL,

The newly-fitted fishing launch, the “Amwhata,” was successfully launched a few days ago. To date the weather has not been very good for fishing and the catches have been, small.