OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81862, 11 October 1906, Page 4

OPUNAKE.

ROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.

A Maori woman named Pare Kawakawa, well known locally as "Betty," died at the Maori pah, near the mouth of ihe Waiau, on Thursday evening. A tangi is being held on a large scale and U attended by natives from a>l oarts.

A robbery took place la~l week, the shop of J. yep, Chinese grocer, being entered and a considerable sum of money stolen.

Mr \V. A. Harding, postmaster, is at present on his annua' leave. During bis absence Mr Crawshaw. of New Plymouth, is relieving officer.

At a meeting of teachers connected with the Opunake portion of the Tara naki Teachers' Institute it was decided to form a Schools' Athletic Association. Mr Gray was appointed secretary. It is proposed to hold a sports gathering prior to the Christmas vacation. The move is a good me, and should be encouraged.

The weather has been very fine for some time, and local farmers are beginning to want rain. The bay has al«o been very calm during the past week, with the rpsult that the s.s. Muritai has been able to work the port iwice.

A meeting of the Presbyterian congregation was he'd at Opunake on Wednesday last in connection with the formation of Opunake into a separate charge Rev. Wilson (Manaia) piesided and almost every portion of ■he district was represented. The question of raising money to build a manse was discussed, and it was derided to take steps to borrow some money from the Century Fund and also to apply for a donation from the Church Extension fund.

The first mee.ing of the newly-elect ed Town Board was held on Thursday evening, all the members being present. Mr \Y. C. Dudley was reelected Chairman In regard to the ■mbulanee wagon, it was resolved k inform the Hawera Hospital and Char itable Aid B <ard that th? inspection was not satisfactory The Chairman gave notice to move th„, the general rate of three-farthings in the pounc oe made on all rateable property in he rateab'e area. The financial •tatement showed a balance in hana jf £l l7. Various accounts were passed for payment. At a meeting of the Domain Boaid •iield immediately after the Town Board meeting it was resolved,' That .his Board ask uie Colonial Secretarj to amrru nd the Domains Act so as to give the control.ing authority powu o exclude bookmakers."

The annual meeting of the Opunake Caledonian Society was held at O'Aleara's Hotel on Monday evening. *hen there was a good attendance ol memoeis. Mr C. A. Trotter presid ed. The balance sheet showed a pr> fit of £l3 4/ over the Boxing Day meeting and .£4l 1/ over the Easter meeting and a balance in hand of £2/ •2/6. £35 had been paid to the Domain Board on account of the grand stand, making a total payment ot jjfcno on that account and leaving the grandstand free of debt. It was resolved to hold two meetings in the coming season, viz., one on Boxing Qay and the other at Easier, and to give holders of members' tickets free admission to the stand. It was resolved 10 make Mr O'Dea, handicapper, a life hon. member in recogni iion of his services. Officers were eiected as follows:—Patron. C. E. Major, Esq.. M.H.R.; President, Mi M. J. Brennan; Vice-presidents, • Messrs R. Warner, J. R. Stewart, C. A. Trotter, W. C. Dudley; Secretary Mr D. Ross; Treasurer, Mr E. 0Meara; Handicapper, Mr J. O'Dea; Judges, Messre G. \V. Rogers, 11. Cantle and A. Clarke; Timo-keepcr. Mr W. TayW; Hon. Piper, D. McGregor; General Committee, MessrTrotter (Chairman), Warner, Armstrong, Dudley (3), Duncan (2), Mil-' denhall, Fennel, Dillon, A. Clarke. Chambers, O'Meara, O'Dea, J. Rcid, McDavitt, Simms, Gray, Woods. Hie key (3), Harwood, Miller, Vardlev. Des Forges, Duffi'l, Mcßeynolds Rev Father Cognet, Wildermoth, Goldic. Julian, Heferman, Judson, I.ooney. Humphries and Garcia; Hon. Surgeon, Dr Morrison; Auditor, Mr J. Garcia. A programme committe was appointed to draw up a programme Jnr the Boxing Day meeting, giving prize money to the value of £SO. It was resolved that the secretary's honorarium be £SO.