PROVINCIAL NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 20 September 1907, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS.

OPUNAKE. From Our Own Correspondent. On Monday evening a welcome social was tendered in the Foresters Hall to Rev. H. W. Klingender, ■ the newly-ap-pointed vicar for the Waimate Plains parish. There was a very large attendance of church people, who took this opportunity of meeting the vicar. Mr G. N. Rogers, in a few appropriate remarks, introduced the Rev. 11. W. Klingender, who, in the course of his reply, referred to the size of the parish, which is an umvieldly one, and stated that if Opunake did not get the number of services it expected it would be on account of the number of other places which required attention. The church at Opunake he considered one to be proud of, and he did not think there was a prettier or better arranged one in the whole of the diocese. An excellent musical programme was gone through.

EGMONT COUNTY COUNCIL. The usual monthly meeting of the Egmont County Council was held on Friday last, Cr. W. Fleming presiding. A letter was received from C. E. Major stating that a sum of money for the Wireuui road would be considered when the amounts for roads and bridges was being placed on the estimates. The Hawera County Council forwarded a report of the proposed Kaupokonui tramway. The Waimate Road Board wrote agreeing to comply with the request to urge on the Government the construction of the railway. The Hawera Hospital Board wrote that the levy would be 7d per £IOO. Oaonui bridge: It was reported that the cost for land required for this bridge would be £lO for Mrs Fisher, £5 for Rua, and an amount yet to be fixed for the Public Trustee.

The bridge engineer reported that the Waiau, Ouri, and Waiteaka bridges were completed, and that the contractors for the Oeo and Ouri (Eltham road) are making good progress. The Oeo bridge is nearly completed, and the Ouri bridge will be pushed ahead as soon as the ironwork arrives, failing which the contractor will remove to the Oaonui bridge.

The various foremen's reports were read, and it was decided to call tenders for 1500 to 1800 yards broken stone north of Oaonui bridge. Various accounts were passed for payment, and the meeting rose.

ELECTRIC TRAM. At the meeting of the Egmont County Council a letter was received from the Eltham County Council to the effect that it is unable to entertain the proposal to carry the tramway beyond Opunake, but would be pleased to cooperate in obtaining a report as far as Opunake. Considerable discussion ensued, some members being of opinion that the ratepayers would not support the scheme as far as Opunake. Ultimately it was decided that the Eltham County Council he written to informing them that this Council will spend £OO on the proposed estimate from Auroa to Opunake, and tliat the cost be divided as follows: Two-thirds to the Eahotu riding (Southern) and onethird to the Oeo riding.