OPUNAKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1921, Page 6

OPUNAKE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) The Maori queen candidate is leading by a smalTmajority in the Seaside Queeh Carnival competition. ✓ A most exciting competition was the tug-of-war contest promoted by the Town candidate committee. A team of Maoris from Waimate, averaging 17 stone, was the decided favorite, and easily pulled teams opposed to it, until it met a team of natives from Pifaama. The latter were a good deal lighter, but more sturdy, and by defeating the big fellows from Manaia they introduced the first exciting element into the contests. When the final took place between the Opunake natives and Taungatara team, interest was roused to an exciting pitch. It was a first-class exhibition, and the contest was as evenly matched as it was possible to be, Taungatara registering a deserved win. The contest showed that big, heavyweight men in soft condition are no match for sturdy, lightweight men whose muscles are strengthened with hard work.

According to the last meeting of the Opunake Harbor Board, it would appear that the flotation of the harbor loan is a very doubtful proposition. After reading the comments on the financial position of the Dominion by Sir F. Bell (Acting-Premier) it appears all local bodies are meeting with difficulty in. placing debentures on the market. ’ The Leader of the Government stated that the money required is not in the Dominion. Whether there is sufficient in the Egmont County for the Opunake harbor works we shall know by June next. The Alton junior football team played Opunake at Opunake on Saturday, and was defeated by Opunake by eleven pointe to nil. Alton was a nicely-balanced team, and the forwards were good at scrum work, but were poor at stopping rushes. Opunake’s strong point was forward rushes, whilst the Maori lads (Hokaiaos and Tito) were specially good in parsing rushes. The Alton team are to be complimented on the way every player was dressed in proper club uniform. The same cannot be said of Opunake. This will not be the case when the selection committee pick the fifteen players Who are required.

‘The local police are making inquiries regarding the theft of wines and spirits from the cellar of one of our local hotels.* The work in connection with the Opunake hydro-electric works is proceeding fairly well. A good deal of earth work has been done.

Mr. Geo. W. Rogers, the Egmont County clerk, is still a patient in hospital. It is reported here that he is undergoing special treatment in the Palmerston North Hospital. We all hope he will be restored to health and will soon be back to his council work.

The milking season is now tailing off. The dairy factories are receiving milk every other day. and casein manufacture has practically ceased.

The Rev. E. E. Harkness, the newlyappointed minister in charge of the Egmont Methodist circuit, was heartily welcomed on Thursday evening by the congregation. The Rev. Harkness arrived direct from Ballarat to this district, having previously completed ten years’ ministerial duties in Tonga.