OPUNAKE NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 194, 8 September 1900, Page 2

OPUNAKE NOTES.

(from oue own correspondent.) Our spell of fine weather has baen somewhat rudely broken by another blizzard. We thought we had done with these unwelcome guests for the season, having already had three or four, but we were mistaken. This belated buster is perhaps the worst of the bunch. Luckily heavy rain accompanied it, so that the effects on vegetation may not be as severe as usual. We have just had a visit from the 4 del phi Dramatic Company, who gave " Arrah-na-Pogua" in good style on the first night to a capital house. Unfortunately the blizzard destroyed all cbanee of a house on the second night, which was a piece of real bad luck for the Company. Colds, coughs, infiuenzi, scarlatina, are the orders of the day. At this time of the year we generally entertain some of these uninvited guest?, but this season they have been unusually prevalent. The local school has been closed for two weeks on their account. Three children of tender age died during the last two weeks or so, The Aorere is in the Bay this morning, but the heavy southerly gale has caused a high sea, so she did not come alongside as she usually does. These south'and west gales are about the only ones that affect the harbour.

With a verv moderate expenditure (comparatively) this harbour could be made one of the best on the west coast of this Island. It possesses a great advantage over river bars in that it does not silt up in any gale; there is always deep water alongside the jetty. A few hundred i pounds spent in extending the jetty only a few yards further and large vessels could safely moor alongside. Up to the present the improvement of the harbour has been left entirely to the private enterprise of a few residents. With hearty support from the people much could be done to develop the resources. To quote our energetic M.H.8., of the district: With plenty of money lying almost idle, it is surprising that no attempt) to form a syndicate to make a light line of rail to tap the main line at Eltbam is made. There is a good precedent in the success achieved by the Wellington- Mauawatu line.