Oparau.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 250, 16 March 1906, Page 2

Oparau.

(raox our own correspondswr.) Oparau has proved itself fully up to |be expectations of the settlers who pave toiled to make it what it is. ffiither for cattle or sheep it has turned raut one of tbe best spots in New ZeaHtal, fully maintaining the high repuearned by land around the KaHarbour. Mffiur local sawmill has lately oomIfleted a good lew orders, A case of an attempt by a -native owner to evict his tenant, after that person bad spent all his money and years of patient toil reclaiming tbe wilds, has been brought under my notice, the tenant wisely refusing to be evicted. The native demanded the rent before it was due, and, of course, did not get it, but at tbe proper time it was paid to bis agent. Thia is an example to those who think of I easing native land-*, and rbowe ih« -dri«- • biiity of all >wing, or forcing, ; G»vernment buy all waste native - de, and dispose io those who wii: u»ke ch a l&ud profi<abe The ragwort pest will be a seriooa trouble if the Governmn i do not take promp steps to take over all vacant lands and gee them settled, as tbo natives do not t-"uble about noxi ><is weeds. A the present time large pitches of blackberry may be seen on native laud, and no doubt ragwort xisls there. Ido not approve of na i\e as they generally are a luisauce to tbe tenant. An >ther local settler has departed S >uth f>r a well earned holiday, after j iviug spent two years m mpr Yemenis. BCHOJL PICNIC. The above picnic was held test Wedand, thanks to tbe splendid we ether, it was a c omplete suooesa. Greu credit is due tn ths promoters, b pt'ciaily Mrs A. Yells, fjr the soeoess of he gube icg, and to the ladies of be distiict for tbe excellent refresb-m-mte provided. A number vf wellcontoBkd races were run during the day, and later og sports and gimea wero indulged in. Results of races as follows : School Boys—C.au le Crotty 1, Ben Ta Maewa 2 Scbo >1 Girls—Annie G -ge 1, P wrl Crotty 2 Single Ladies—Miss A. ArroUvCg 1, Miss Godsell 2 Boys Consolation—Jimes 1, Peter Tai 2 Smill School Girls—-Buby Or>t , 1, Gerty M‘ Donald 2 Girls’ Niil Driving—rear! Crot y 1, Freda Yells 2 Girls* Consolation— Scott I, Daisy Dunstan 2 Small Boys—Dick Cr.»tty 1, Cteude Crotty S Single Men—H. jM'Cheaney 1, E. Forbes 2

Married Lvdies—Mrs Andsreon 1, Mrs Terry 2 Small Boys' Consolation Cyril Yells J, Willie Tai 2 Single Ladies Consolation Mus Yells 1, Miss Terry 2 Married Men—J. Crotty 1, J. Hustler 2 Boys, under 17—E. Forbes 1, R. Yells 2 Married Ladies' Consolation—Mrs Crotty 1, Mrs Bell 2 Small Girls—Eileen Yells 1, Baby Crotty 2