OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1920, Page 6

OPUNAKE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The Oddfellows' social on Wednesday evening was it wry pleasant one. Vision's were T prominent, more, so in numbers than local residents. i'arkor's orchestra supplied the music, and Messrs. It, Bowman and K. Wallis acted as SI.(Vs. On Friday evening a large party of Opunake and country residents paid a surprise* visit to Sir. Stilt and family, and took 'charge of the residence for an hour or two. Indulging in song, music, and reciting. Opportunity was taken to present the Still family with It silver tea service, comprising teapot, hot water jug, cake dish and toast rack. The presentation was made by Sir. J. Tnslimd ' (representing the Presbyterian ('lurch), and I ltev. Strand (Methodist). The managers of the Presbyterian Church promoted the gather- I Ing, anil w«re ably supported by the Jlctno- ' "lists. .Mrs. Stitt lias been a resilient of Opunake for about tbiriy-llvc years, arriving with her farher (ltev. Allswurth), and later imatrled the lale .10l n Stitt. After having' brought up n family to man and womanhood estate there is liitle wonder that regret was expressed by those present at tho departure

for Kilbirnie (Wellington), of one of our,oldest residents. Messrs. Cool; and Boss (Managers of the Opnnake Presbyterian Church). and Mildenhall (Methodist) expressed regret at losing siieli a Rood church worker. Messrs. Cook and Windolbroom were tte M.C.s., and the Hev. Strand chairman. Those who contributed to the programme were: Mesdames V. Campbell, <!. Walker, A. Clough, T. H. Sinclair, Leslie, and Miss G. Barron ; Messrs, Cook, Tosland, Mildenhall, and Rev. Strand. The enjoyable evening concluded with "Auld Lang Syne." On Sunday, at tlio Presbyterian Sunday School, the Misses Stltt. were presented by the scholars with a handsome present. At I'lhama, on Tuesday, (l-o l'ihama school children and parents presented Miss Eila Stitt (mistress of the school), with a gold watch. A garden party took place at the public (iemain, where there was a large assemblage of residents to stow their gratitude to Miss Stitt for her faithful seilvlces as school teacher.

It. has been stated by llr. W. R. Wright (chairman of tl.o Egmont County Council), that he does nut intend to seek re-elect lon at the Council election next month. • Messrs. C. A. Trotter and IS. Ferguson intend to offer their services. Probably Air. .1. S. Tosland (Pihrnma) will he a candidate. He has been a trier before and polled well. My opinion is that the Egmont County Council of late, years has been a declining factor In ability. In the days of the early history of the Council we bad the best ability obtainable. In tl:c late Mr. M. .T. Erennan, W. E. Dudley, S. Forsyth, and M. Fleming and B. Maxwell. However, there Is now a (jood opportunity ability to como to the surface. It takes' somo years beforo young councillors Ret the chance to show their ability. The trend of local body law has been lo create much work or an.administrative nature to the detriment of roadmaklng. Too many returns are required. Councilors havf also v got into the habit of passing resolutions vtbout every "ill and pill," and flooding Government departments with letters needing replies, thus causing a huge waste of time, paper, and energy. And roadmaking is getting less attention. The ratepayers of the Egmont Council are Indebted to the chairman (Mr. W. It. Wright) for the Interest he has shown in County affairs. He had the hardest time of most past chairmen of the Council. He took office In war time, thus preventing any energetic mcasuers being taken in Council affairs, whilst since tl:e close of the war it has become worse, there being a shortage of materials and a restriction of finance. In fact, public, works of any description are hampered on all sides Ivy shortage of materials, labor, and finance. The Opunake Harbor Board affairs are much the. same as last month. The proposals for harbor construction are having a slow but tremendous hard passage over new restrictions and difficulties. It Is not a condition of affairs that can afford ns any satisfaction that when a community has set out to Improve its position, help production and assist in reducing ttc cost of living by reducing road freights that it should lie so penalised by officialdom and all Its wonderful works. I have been credibly informed that at a meeting of dairy factory representatives held in Hawera last week in connection with the labor and wage question affecting dairy factories, that a schedule was drawn up giving an Increase in wages and a bonus for heme allowance where the housing is insufficient. The factories lhat were not present at the conference arc to be circularised recommending the adoption of the schedule scale of pay. Xortli Tarnnnki was poorly represented at the conference There is 3n.11* small consideration for us in the Public Works estimates. The Opunake branch railway In the direction of Auroa is receiving a little attention. The goal at present is Manaia. Iluilway in Xew Zealand is the slowest in the world, at any rate as far as Opunake is concerned.