FUTURE OF OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1919, Page 5

FUTURE OF OPUNAKE.

HARBOR AND OTHER SCHEMES. (By Wire.—Special Reporter.) Elthara, Last Night. The future of Opunake was discussed by a deputation from the coastal town which waited on the Prime (Mr. XV, F. Massey) liere to-day. Mr. T. P. Hughson, on behalf of the Opuuake Harbor Board, asked for, Government assistance towards raising £50,000 for improvements to the harbor at Opunake. Mr, Hughson dwelt or. the suitable situation of Opunake for a harbor, and he «aid the amount it is proposed to borrow aroitld enable them to build a harbor on the liueß of the harbor at Timaru, which w ( ould accommodate vessels drawing up to lifteen feet of water. There was, he said, a great future before the district in a dried milk industry, but it had been found that the present co?t of landing coal iit Opunake made it prohibitive. The district between Warea and Riverdale produced annually 4310 tons of butterfat; and dried milk would produce 6d morei than butter and cheese—it was calculated to bring £SO more a ton — so that the additional income that would come to the district by the establishment of the dried milk industry was £241,090. Mr. Hughson said th» ratepayers had agreed to tlie raising of £so,ooo_at b\>., per cent., but the eminent would only authorise the raising of file money at 5} per cent. Mr. Massey: What you really want is better facilities to raise the money. Mr. Hughscn: That is so. Our idea is to raise .£20,000 the first, and £15,000 each of the two succeeding years. "I think money is going to be plentiful in New Zealand soon," said Mr. Massey. "As far as I can judge the Government will not be going on the market before next' August. lam not anxious about the future supply of money, and I don't think money will be dearer. Tn fact, I think it will be easier. I will try to help you in this matter." Mr. Hughson then referred to a hydroelectric scheme for Opunake, involving an expenditure of £7OOO. He said a poll of ratepayers had agreed to the raising of the money, but the Gdvernment was going to increase the rate and this would necessitate another poll—a move which, on the grounds of expense and for other reasons, it was desired to avoid. In reply, Mr. Massey promised assistance. Tie could not speak positively, but, lie did not think they would be able to gel the money until the end of the financial vear.