OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1919, Page 5

OPUNAKE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The welcome home to all returned soldiers on Wednesday evening was largely attended. The chairman of the Town Board (Mr. C. A. Trother) presided. With him on the stage were Messrs W. Carncross, M.L.A., C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., Revs. C. Palmer (Church of England), C. Straus (Methodist) Father Doolaghy (Catholic), and the Kev. Mills (Presbyterian). The local speakers all struck a happy note of welcome. Mr. Wilkinson met with a little opposition when he commenced to speak. The opposition came from four returned jnen, but it was quickly shown that the large audience had no sympathy with these tacticß. Mr. Wilkinson's address was cm the lines that the Government was doing its best for the returned men, although it might be slow in process. It was not shirking its duty. At the conclusion he was loudly cheered. The Hon. Carncross remarked that "his friends" the disturbers mistook the gathering for a political one, 1 and interjections came, such as: "We have been waiting long enough for the Government." Quickly came the reply: "Get off your coat and be manly. Don't wait for the Government. A soldier is taken to be above walking the streets waiting for the. Government. Take General Richardson's advice and get into civilian occupations." The Speaker was roundly applauded. A very nice programme of items was rendered by the Moll quartette, the Rev. Papakakura and Mrs. C. Feavijr, jun. Supper was provided on a lavish scale. A dance concluded the welcome! home, the music for which was provided by the Opunake Band.

The Town Board hag been definitely informed that Dr. Barron does not intend to resume praotice in Opunake. This will now clear the way to getting a medical practitioner for this district. Football Kas considerably improved these last few weeks. Fairly good practices are regularly held. The defeat of Kaponga last Saturday was a wellmerited win.

Colds, coughs, and sneezes are the most prominent "goods" displayed in Opunake,