OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1920, Page 7

OPUNAKE.

(From Oar Own Correspondent.)) The Hawera Concert PaTty paid us a' visit last week. T!ie attendance was not large It was an exceptionally good concert from a musical point of view, every item being good. Those who were absent missed a treat. Opunake usually turns up well to a first-class show, but on this occasion missed an opportunity of patronising musical talent. ~ # At a special meeting of the Harbor ißoard on Wednesday, the chairman (Mr. T. P. Hughson) laid before members the result of his interviews with the Government and other financial institutions at Wellington. As far as the Advances Board and Public Trustee were concerned, t'ieir financial commitments for roads, and bridges did not allow them to ad- ; valine raoney\for harbor construction. The chairman had arranged with Mr. 0. Saxton, financial agent, to proceed with the floatation of the loan, subject to the Harbor Board's confirmation. This confirmation was given to the meeting, after the chairman had explained the full position. The old offer from the Bank of New Zealand to finance the loan on overdraft, said the chairman, still held good. There has been a change in chairmen of dairy companies at recent meetings of dairy companies in this district. Mr. M. Hickey has been replaced by Mr. G. Baylisa, and Mr. <T. C. O'Rorke, who lias been chairman of the Oaonui Dairy Company for the past twenty years, was replaced by Mr, J. Young, who has been a director of the company for a great number of years. It is also reported that another chairman does not intend to seek re-election. Mr. Alf Langton, who has beer, buttermaker for the Opunake Dairy Company, has taken over the managership of the Opunake Dairy Company. "Alf" has had k very large experience as butter-maker, and holds an unique position in that line.

On Thursday next, nominations close for the Town Board pected an election will take place. It would be interesting to ratepayers to know the financial position of the Town Board. The general run of ratepayers have no knowledge of the finances, and it cannot be said the present Board has enlightened ratepayers on the subject by a published balance-sheet or summary of receipts and expenditure. The finances are always in a healthy position, with the exception of the gas account, due to the high cost, of carbide and freights. Regarding the past year's working, very little could ho done in the way of concrete work owing to the cost of cement. The board could have made more progress in metal work. There was no excuse for the laxity in laying down good permanent metal. The Board lias achieved a minimum of progress iu this connection. The grazing of stock on roads ia always an irritating ques.tion with local 'bodies. Members of local bodies indulge in a tirade against the Government for "short-sighted policy," "want of progress," etc., but the cattle grazing ques-" tion is one. that "sticks up" local bodies. Both the Town Board and Egmont County attempt to solve the question in an expensive manner by employing the foremen to do the work. It is an expensive method when foremen have to "down tools" and chase a stray animal. The foremen do not care for the work, and fifteen bob a day men Ichasing "lost or strayed" calves is a penny wise and pound foolish policy. Why not specialise in the impounding business and pay a man to do the work? } was sorry to see a correspondent signing himself "M.M." had taken exception to my remarks re profiteering. The correspondent had fitted on a cap that was not meant for him. There are many small incidents that one encounters in the country. In financial circles i ! t is called "shrewdness,'' but in plain English it is profiteering pure and simple. We expect to see . a little activity shortly in the building line. The plans for the convent school and the Opunake. Hospital I've going through their final formal appr v;il, and after that it depends an' tin l csment supplies. The hydro-electric works and the Oaonui irrigation scheme are - also cementless. ' The present dairying mson it the

' slowest for many years as far as the growth of feed is concerned. Few farmers carry sufficient winter feed for a normal season, and this winter, being a j long drawn out one of frosts and high j winds, the cows coining in ■ are very I gaunt-looking, and the percentage of i losses is heavier than usual: Thousands i of pounds are lost through not providing j sufficient winter feed. I On Wednesday evening Ihe Church ov j England Sunday School scholars invited : their boy and girl friends to an evening, : which was made, pleasant with games. : During the evening Master Ken. Alouvi ! (who is now attending the New Plymouth High School) was presented with a, fountain pen by the elder scholars. The Rev. Palmer made the presentation.