OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1918, Page 3

OPUNAKE.

sea aim FICTE. (From Our Owu Correspondent). Perfect weather prevailed for the annual sea side fete which was held at Opunako on Wednesday under the auspices of the local Seaside Improvement Society, consequently there was a very large attendance of residents of the district, who, with their wives and famili»s. loyally supported the Society and incidentally spent an enjoyable day ]>v the seaside. Surf bathing was the chief attraction, but the committee had made ample arrangements for the enjoyment of all. There were boat swings, seasaws, and swings for the juveniles, for whom there was also a liberal programme of races, shooting galleries, darts, games and side shows for the adults, whilst the wants of the inner man were liberally attended to at the luncheon and refreshment booth.

The gathering proved equally as successful as any of its predecessors, and the financial results should show an increase. Visitors expressed their admiration at the work already accomplished by the Society improving facilities for the use of bathers and others, a work that the Society intends continuing as funds allow. The following were the principal workers of the day: Luncheon booth--Mesdumes Rogers, Clarke. Barron, Hammond, Cook, Thorpe, Whittington, Cleghorn, Markham. Parkes. Cannell, W. J. S. Dudley. Mildenhall, Chambers, Cornish, Blyth, Thompson, W. C. Dudley, Eo'dzson, J. Young, McLean. Heath. Betteridge, Walke. Birkett. Sinclair, Crocker and Warner, Misses N. Callagjian, Butler, L. Callaghan, Moore. Geary, Fennoll, Feaver. Sanson. Stronge, Heath, Hodgson. Malcolm (2), Clarke (2), Markham, Chambers',. DesForges, Norcross, Trotter. Hopkirk, 'Pease and Cantle; cordial, fruit, and lollie stall—Mesclames Hammond (assisted by young ladies) and Mr. Chambers: sheen (rucs?in<r—"Miss and Mr R. ,T. Dudley: stepping chain tickets —'Mrs, Marshall. The donkey rides were attended to by the Scout boys. Side shows—Messrs Burton, Brennan, Thorpe, Hammond, Blvth; athletic events—Messrs Peas? MarshttlJ. Malcolm, Cleehorn Macfie. Woolford, Sinclair, Cooke and Ro*s. Gate keepers— Mr. A. O'Brien (organiser); cashiers, Misses Stitt.

■Stepping the chain was won by Mr. G. Loonev who was also successful in guessins weight of sheep at lOSlhs (exact). The water race was won by ,T. Feaver, G. Clcghorn second, C. Taylor third. S.M. COURT. The usual monthly sitting of the Opunake S.M. Court was held on Thursday, Mr. A.- Crooke, S.M., presiding Judgment by default was given for plaintiff in the following undefended cases: E. M. Reynolds (Mr. McDavitt) v. Tiger Bi.-hop," ,C!I I,ls lid (costs £1 lis (id). C. ;Lyttle (Mr. Gow) v. John Murray, .€8!) 7s 3d ( £:> fls fid). E. M. Reynolds (Mr. McDavitt) v. Rahni Murray. £l3 :,s Sid (£1 IDs Gil). A. Clarke (Mr. McDavitt.) v. D. RaetaM, £4 5s (!'>s). A. H. Moore v. Lime Coy. fls (!°s). Holmes and Arthur (Mr. McDavitt) v. W. Yardley. £33 (£2 fls fid).

Tlic c»sm of \V. Parker v. A. E. Brunette, and Reynolds and Taylor t. Matapouri "were adjourned till next Court day. In (lie judgment summons eases. W. Blythe (Mr. (low) v. Mohi Pari, elaim f.4 .and Thorpe r.r.rt Callaghan (Mr. How) v. Molii Pari, claim :£fl Bs, defendant agreed to pay in two monthly instalments and orders were made accordingly. On the information of Constable O'Neill, Geo. Morrow end llsmi Mitchell were charged with behaviour such as to cause a breach of the peace on Kaluii Road, Rahotu, on December 7. Neither appeared/The former was lined .£1 ami costs 7s and the latter 10s and costs 12s.

Joe Tamakaka and, Xgatai Perereka. for a similar offence on the same date, were each fined £1 and costs 12s. Applications for land agents' licenses were granted to Messrs G. W. Rogers and A. 11. Moo"re. At a public meeting oT the Patriotic League on Tuesday evening the following officers and committee were appointed: Chairman, Mr. C. A. Trotter;' treasurer, 9 Mr. T. ,L Mildenhall; secretary, Mr. D. Ross; eommfftce. Mosdames Connell, Chambers, Markhnm, and Looney, Messrs T. Sinclair, S. M. Cornish, and G. Walker. At a special meeting of the Town Board on Tuesday evening, Messrs C. A. Trotter (chairman), E. Thorpe, S. M. Cornish, and J. P. Burton were prosent. A petition was presented by a large majority of the business people, who favored closing fiieir business premises at noon on Wednesday in each week. This was given effect to. Hitherto the closing hour has been 1 p.m. on halt-holidays. The tender of Mr. J Q O'Rorke (£" 10s) was accepted for lease of part of the recreation sreunda, and that of Mr. M. J. Maeßevnolds ( £* !0s per annum) for lease opposite recreation grounds was also accepted. The chairman, who paid a visit to Wellington and interviewed the Health Department and British Medical Asso( ,i. ation concerning the retention of Dr Sharpen services in Opnnake, reported that nothing further could be done until a reply was received from th« M.Aister of Internal Affairs. He presented a petition containing Of.fi names fnvorina iDr -•luirpe remaining here permanently" The whole troublo appears to be that 'vested interests are of more concern in some quarters than suffering humanity