DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1920, Page 2

DISTRICT NEWS.

OPUNAKE. (Prom Our Own Correspondent.) The Queen Carnival promoted la, the interests of the new Convent School Is creating greater interest now the closing date Is drawing nigh The Hibernian candidate Is still in the lead by close on 200 votes from the Convent candidate. The Oaonui-Rahotu candidate seems to have perpetual bad luck with adverse weather conditions for public functions. The senior football matches played so far show that football in the Southern division has readied a high order of merit, and Is the best season for many years. There is plenty of good material for representative teams The North v. South matches should bo a big draw. Tlie county councils In various parts of Taranakl (Egmont included), have protested against the increase in the hospital and charitable aid levy No specific charges of wastefulness have been made. The present conditions of the high cost of foodstuffs and medicine Indicate that hospital levies will be heavier, as the requisite amount of high nutritive foods for children are prohibitive to the poor people with largo families, with the result that the hosnltals will be bU9y mending the frailties of humanity. It seems a bit Inconsistent that we Increase the taxation for military requisites—knocking humanity to pieces—and no objection is raised to the increase, but when it comes to increasing the rate for mending humanity, resolutions of a denunciatory character are numerous. It is reported that Mr. R. Malcolm has purchased the bakery and confectionery business carried on by Mr. E. Vincent. There is a belief existing that the commencement of harbor construction works Is not yet In sight, and that the £50,000 loan is not sufficient (In the estimation of tho Marine Department) to carry out the works proposed. Opunake people consider that tho Taranakl members of Parliament did not place sufficient Importance (at their recent meeting) on the Te Rotl-Opunake railway. However, Opunake relies on their member kicking hard for tho vigorous completion of the Opunake branch line. The Egmont member, when he used to play for the Taranakl reps, was a pretty hard kicker, and if ho can only get Into a pair of political hob-nail boots his kicking force will be to our advantage. Changes In ownership of town and suburban properties have taken place lately. Mr. J. Monsor has purchased the main street property belonging to Mr. M. J Brennan and Intends to enlarge the present building. Mr. T. S. Hlckey has purchased the corner property In the rnialn street known as Hill's shop, and Mr. B. Bowman lias bought Mr. Rowlands' property on Longfellow Road A new proprietor is also mentioned in connection with tho Opunake Hotel. A very successful children's fancy dress ball was held in the Town Hall last Friday evening. The object was to further the candidature of the Convent School candidate. Between 50 and 60 juveniles appeared In fancy dress, .and it was considered the best juvenile display of fancy dresses ever held here. The ' prise-takers wore: For best girl's fancy dress (Maori walilne), Miss M. Dudley; boy's, Maurice Hlckey (Coon), and he was also awarded the prize for best boy dancer. Miss Hlckey was awarded the prize for best girl dancer. The children enjoyed the dancing. and particularly the supper. Miss O'Brien had taken a considerable interest in schooling the children in this art, and the fruits of the labor were very gratifying to onlookers. The music for the dancing was supplied by Parkea' orchestra.