OPUNAKE NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 221, 1 October 1901, Page 2

OPUNAKE NOTES.

(PttOM OUB OWN CORRESPONDENT).

A farewell social was tendered to the Rev. A. W. H. Oompton on Friday night. Mr G. W. Sogers, on behalf of the people of the district, presented the rev. gentleman with a purse of sovereigns. In replying, Sir Oompton expressed his regret at parting with the people of the district, among whom he had worked for so many years. He hoped at some not remote date to return to New Zealand; and be thanked the people heartily for their i kindness in the past. The social was most successful, and the manner in which it was managed reflects great credit on those ladies who worked so well to make it so. The local school was closed on Thursday and Friday. Mr Heenan was ill on Thursday, and Mrs Dickenson, assistant, has been ordered by her medical attendant to take complete rest for a month. Influenza is very prevalent, and the attendance has sunk to about half what it should be. Our junior footballers defeated Stratford on Thursday. Honours are now easy, and the final is to be played at Manaia on Saturday next. It would be a great feather in our hats should we win both senior and junior championships. The contest at Manaia should be worth seeiog. The Gairloch called on Friday, but there was a bit of a sea running on account of the late gale, and she did not stop. To-day a stiff southerly is blowing, and has prevented either the Gairloch or the Aorere from coming io. The weather has been goad for grass, in spite of the gales, and the country looks green and smiling.