OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1916, Page 3

OPUNAKE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Opunake, Yesterday.

At the S.M. Court on Thursday, the Magistrate (Mr. A. Crooke), gave judgment in the case D. McGregor, farmer, of To Kiri v, A. Marshall, share milker, the hearing of which iook place at last month's sittings. Judgment was for plaintiff for £7, with Court costs 35a, and solicitor's fee £1 6s. The original claim was for £ls 7s for butter made from plaintiff's milk, and £2O for nonfulfilment of verbal agreement to plough and stump land. The s-scond claim, that for butter made is interesting to farmers. Defendant claiming the right to make his own butter when share-milking for plaintiff; the latter objected to this. Defendant admitted he made butter, but it was made from a gallon of milk he was entitled to for his own private use. The Magistrate took the view that plaintill' would use at least 41b of butter per week for n family of seven; from the fibs he allowed the defendant made lib from the milk he was allowed for household purposes. Thus the sharemilker was credited with making 31bs of butter per week from his employer's cream; from the latter quantity the share-milker was allowed His as his value from the total quantity on the basis of 2-sths of the milk cheque. There was a good muster at the County of Egmont Patriotic meeting on Tuesday evening. The large attendance was due to the controversy arising out of the Easter Monday sports. The ladies were of opinion that the financial takings were for "patriotic purposes" whilst the men's committee contended the finance was specially ear-marked for the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. The ladies promoted the gathering and concert, and were of opinion that they should administer the funds. A little argument was the result, but ultimately the weaker sex gave \vay\ and the Easter Monday total (about £110), goes to the Wounded Soldiers' Fund.

Canvassers have been appointed to make a big and final effort in a house-to-house canvas throughout the county. From Oaonui northwards is worked through the Taranaki League. The local fund exceeds £7OO, and when the balancing-up day comes it is hoped to smash the £IOO bulls' eye. Pihama will have something like ' £OOO for the Woumled Soldiers' Fund. Then Te Kiri and Awatuna will have small donations to send in to headquarters. The World's Pictures made application to the Town Board for sole right of the Town Hall for moving pictures. The Board could only grant them option over one night in the week. The Opunake Drum and Fife Band, which was going to receive the "royal" patronage at our local functions has withered away. Even the sound of the big drum, which was a prominent feature, is either burst or gone to the front.

Last Monday, a sale by order of the mortgagee of a piece of land, with a substantial cottage thereon,' situated o:i Eltham Road, was knocked down io Mr. Crawford for £lO an acre. Seeing that the land was Maori lease, the price is considered an exceptionally good one, and is an indication that the West Coast leaseholder is no* on such a bad wicket.