OPUNAKE BEACH.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 January 1916, Page 5

OPUNAKE BEACH.

THE ANNUAL PETE. ' • ? . A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING,. The popularity of the Opunake t>eae¥, 'i lias increased by leaps und bounds dw> J iug the last few years. Thia is not altot gether due to the natural <» of the bay, wliieh is ft charming y, with its half circle of level sand, nestiln| beneath the cliffs, and open to the swell; .*.« of tho Pacific—these have hee«f -)i in evidence since Opunako was fini ■'s founded, and have been utilised in&re olj Vn| 1083 by the resident!), and it was . noV ' v until the Opunako Seaside improvement Society came into being a 1 ycais ast) .'I that the advantages of the bay werti - ■:*) fully appreciated by the publio of Cptw ) nako and of the district for many around. The Society, pf which Knell has been president «inco its in« ~,j ception, recognised the imparlance ofj ■■■■■', the bay as an asset to the town, and* '< adopting a progressive pouiy, set out to equip it with tho conveiiie'tKoa sary to wake it an up-to-dato waterings > place. Already they have erected a marine parade wall; ladies', girls', men' 4 V and boys' bathing sheds, fitted witft < t shower baths, etc., have been installed* and a tea kiosk has been provided, a - plentiful'water supply from a resflrvol? at the cliffs has proved a boop, Fou» tracks have been cut (all arj : n good ' order), in addition to the road along ' which it is possible to drive a inoty/* car right to the beach. These intprOTf meats have been effected by pubtfe tiub* r seripMon, and by funds raised at vatSoiu > , functions organised t>y the Soeiety.tbo attendance at these showing that the - ; work is appreciated. Further evidence is given by the number of camoing ,3 parties that summer on the 'beach. Tlieji ); hail from Kaponga, Manaia, Eitliam, 13ft*' -,-1 wera, and mother towns. Indi-id, wstll , the arrival of the railway, Opunake iffl*. J doubtedly will be tho water!ag-place fti? > southern Taranaki. It will not be tho fault of the Improvement Society if it does not become such, for the/ have a comprehensive scheme in view- . '1 which embraces levelling off the swamp, with possibly a lake for model boat Sail- " , ing, provision of additional camping sites, and lengthening tho parade- ' Yesterday the beach presented an alii* mated scene when, jjuder perfect weather conditions, some "* r, oo people ' ' from tho surrounding district j per horse-drawn vehicle, motor-oil, end motor-'bus, and disported themselvt ... ■,> their hearts' delight on the sands Of ; i.. ptli? surf. It was a great day for thq. i 'Kiddies," who were having (in many, '"i s instances) their annual paddle ip thft i.-'vl sea. \Vhat matter if there was an ocia* «. v ii sional mishap in the shape of a wet dross or wet suit ? All, including mater ■ vi anil pater, were happy. The committee |f! had a fine programme, which included *"3 games and races fpr the children, and ;'i I there were side shows to extract tho ' nimble sixpence from the adults, who ,y gave willingly, (specially as half the pro« coed's were'devoted to the Wounded Sol* ■•b.i dicrs': Fund. Picnic parties could' lie )t\ seen assembled round tho luncheon bas* "5 k<?t, and' all too soon the afternoon passed, and a return was made to the respective homes, where the evening --' round of milking—though delayed * J* couple of hours—had yet to lie tackledj ,~ for "Queen Cow" will not bo denied. ■'" i

It was impossible to ascertain yester- * (lay the financial results, but busineM ■ l was satisfactory. The committee all ' ■ worked hard, tho president's organising ' ability being evident, whilst tile score* ' tary, Mr. W. Blythe, kept a controlling eye on everything. Among the workers were:—Side shows, Blythe, Thorpe, (Burton, Holmes, 9b«flherd; sporting events, Messrs A. ». C. Malcolm, J. (Ireenhill, D. Host Marshall; sheep-guessing, K. J. Dudloy, Miss E. Dudley; guessing, Dr.' The ladies were indispensable Iq .1 commissariat department and were kept »' very busy in the afternoon. The refreshment committee comprised Mkk* ' J ,' dames Knell, Chambers, Hammond, Vi Clai'ko, Malcolm, Parkes, Whittington,: i I>. Markham. Looney. Campbell. Sorreason, Marshall, Jas. Young, and 0. ,W, Rogers, with Mis. 'Orcig, MisseS Dovery , 'V and .Stitt as cashiers. Mrs. E{irug ; Misses Malcolm, Looney, Clark, StrongOi 1 ' ( and Mr. Whittington wcro in charge o( ' ' the fruit and lolly stall. ■

A programme of sports was held dur* ing the afternoon, the principal items resulting;— t _ fi 100 yards: I!pardon 1, Harrison .2. j • Youths' nice (ijnder IS): C. Trotter I, E. Roberts 2. j High jump: Campbell 1, Murphy 2. i Stepping tho chain: R. L. Eustuce I. Tlio Opunake Drum and Fife Band, under Mr. C. 11. Hodgson, gave their '■ "i first open-air performance, art!}' thelf playing was very favorably coitrtnented' on. Considering that the band is not . vet three months in ejisteiue they cer- 43 tainly deserve credit. In the evening <"[ there was a crowded attendance (It the ■ s i Princess Pictures, and also at the ilanw which concluded the day's entertain' ■ ment, with the success of which the j,-S Society has every cause to feel gratified- J