DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 198, 30 January 1915, Page 7

DISTRICT NEWS.

OPUNAKE. During the week we have had quite a lot of excitement, sufficient almost ot cause the city papers to give us. a big black heading, following oh the suicide at Oeo, three man—Priest, Riley, and Hartley—caused some excitement at the seaside fete on Wednesday. They went out in a boat through the surf, and, after getting over the breakers, they capsized. For some time they were in difficulties. Hundreds of sight-seers raced round to the south side of the bay, where the accident happened, and helped the three men, who kept together, and would probably have got ashore, although one was assisted to safety, much exhausted. Two swimmers then" essayed to reach the upturned boat, which they did, and, in making back, got into difficulties, owing to a strong under-current flowing. Once more there was a chase round to the south side witli the tug-of-war rope, which, when thrown out to the swimmers, knocked over a couple of persons close to the edge into the water. The swimmers were assisted ashore, much exhausted, although they battled close in on their own.

On Wednesday . night the proprietor of the, Club Hotel, Mr. Brunette, found Mr. Richards, proprietor of the motor 'bus, lying unconscious under his bed. Medical assistance was summoned, and it was found he had swallowed lysol. Dr. Barron administered an emetic, and the patient was brought round. In the afternoon he was sent through to New Plymouth Hospital. On Thursday a native was drowned at the mouth' of the Taungatara. He was fishing at the time, and it is reported he had a fish on his line, which got entangled, and he went into the sea to loosen it, and, getting out of his depth, lost his life. Searchers are looking for the body. 'A- man working for Mr. 'W. Parsons, of Awatuna, was missing on Wednseday, and the searchers, after some hours' search, found him in a paddock, suffering severely from sunstroke. At-:the S.M. Court on Thursday Magistrate Crooke gave judgment in ..the case, Dudley v. Potter, claim for £27 7s 7d, and decided that the Court :had no jurisdiction in the case, Henv. Martin. A lengthy hearing took place in the ease, O'Sullivan v. F. Baylis and W. Ward, claim for rent of cottage in 1914. The claim was for £6 ss, judgment being given for £3. The Seaside Annual Fete passed off very successfully oh Wednesday, about 1500 persons being present. (Jrjat credit is due to the ladies' committee for the capable management of the luncheon booth and stalls. A large number of children's events were got off for cash prizes. In the adult competitions, Thomas won the 100 yards, Birch the 220, and S. M. Cornish the married men's race. Murphy secured the high -.jump. The enttry list in each race was big. In the evening Wilson's Pictures were crowded, and a large number attended the dance, all promoted by the Seaside Committee. '