OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 October 1920, Page 3

OPUNAKE.

(from Our Own Correspondent) Ihe rt-appcii.tment of Mr. C. A Troiler to the position of chairman of the Tovn Board Was a ]i,]i;n ( ii.o conclusion. In re-jiming thanks in tho members he missed an opportunity uf unfolding a policy within tie imiirs of our local government. He did not mention finance or tell us ratepayers whether we were "on velvet." or "on the rocks" (financially). The few electors who take au interest in the financial affairs of the Board know that the credit balance is rather on the big side, and thus substantiates the argument "'why keep up a big rate when the money is lying idle in the bank?" Ido not wish my remarks to be misconstrued if relation to Mr. Trotter's appointment, but simply as stowing that he missed a good opportnuity of reviewing the financial position and intimating tho main lines of progress. The scope in this respect was large, aul the days of "scratch my back I'll scratch youra" is dead. The dairy employees have formed a union with headquarters at Opunake. There is a certain amount of unfair suspicion, 00/.ing out in regard to the formation of their union. Amongst the farmers generally, the formation of a. union is like displaying a red flag to a wild bull. From Information adduced, the dairy employees' union is not organising with any intention of affiliating with tho "ore union bif idea." They have formed solely to conserve their own Interests and redress wrongs, and will do so by no ii.tcrniediary—a quiet face to face talk with the dairy directors. Such a. policy will he beneficial to both parties. One. of the troubles to he righted (It Is reported) is accommodation. It Is well known that during the epidemic period some of the factory hands were too crowded from a health point of view. .Marine drives are n feature in some of our beautiful towns, such as Napier and Nelson. Why not make Opui.'alte the sea view town of Taranaki? By widening the cul- ! vert at Crocker's, and putting in a stone eul- | vert at the crossing at the rear of the j retention ground, a. beautiful sea view motor j drive car, bo made the who!* length of tho Opunake Crescent. When the hospital is built, and the memorial to the soldiers prected j our sea front will li» an attraction. Thus, j on the same route we will have Miss Doblle's I memorial. Maori redoubts and other historic I sites. At. the mouth of the Waiau River ■ excellent fishing is obtained, this being the j efid of Oie future or re for Visitors. I throw j out these remarks for the new Board to conj aider. It can be done with very little outlay, ai.d £JO expended would make the gap j complete. It Is a great asset to our town ; If our city fathers will make a move. | The notice •fkit up by (lie Council drawing j attention to the limiled pace for motor and ; cycle drivers is still unread by a number i of fast drivers. , ' i

| A number of furniture sales are being held j In Opunake (his month, a sign thai some of ; "ur residents are "packit.g up" and leaving i here. j Cattle sales are a prominent feature in ' Opunake every Monday. The yarding is good : ami the attendance of the. public large. On i account of our central position and (he fact j that cattle that have, wintered here will i. fatten aid mill; well on. the plains and In i other counties. Opunake should be a big centre I for cattle sales. The weather of late has.been against the j regular call of merchant ships. j With the addition of a nursing homo in the town of Opunake there is every indication ! that the population will, before the text I census get oter the r,Ol mark. For the j last eight y.virs Opunr-ke.'s population has ! wobbled between 471) and 40(1. We want to j get Ml to get control of the main road. 1 What, about the Town Board springing a baby bonus '! A motor shed is the latest addition to tlio sea beach. Mr. Brunette, late bonlfaco of the Club Hole!, has laken up cosy quarters on the beach, and avers that he will make it the "greater Opunake." The main street, a tarred road, appears as if a rccoating would improve the honeycomb holes. Mr. and Mrs. Lnoney, who have been farming in this disrrlet for the past twenty years, left, on Friday for.their new home In New

I Plymouth. Mr. I.or.ney has always I a Iron a. keen h.lerest in public affairs ami matters I affecting the farming industry. nimself a | model farmer, lie has not only demonstrated | what results ean he obtained In this district ! liy judicious farming, but has also been to j iho lore In organisations for the benefit of 'lie farmer. He has for severnl years filled the posiion of ohairmai.' of directors of the rihama Dairy Co., a position be recently resigned; also chairman of the local branch of tins Farmers' Union. Mr. Looncy was for two years a director of the Farmers' Co-op. Society. He was Instrumental in forming the Opunake Fertilisers' Syndicate, Witt' local works, and has cnntii.-iinusly held the position of chairman sinco Us inception snme Ave years ago. Mrs. Looncy has proved - tower of strength In social functions, bc'tig always willing to assist a good cause. During the war .Mrs Looncy was one of our most rtlllgeu workers for the. lied Cross and wounded soldiers' funds, and was. a prominent member of the Egmnnt Patriotic League. While local residents would have preferred that these worthy settlers had decided to take their well-earned rest In our neighbourhood; they ostend to Mr. and Mrs. Looncy their best wishes for tie future.—Star.