Opunake Beach

Photo from http://www.reef.opunake.co.nz/

Opunake's beach has always been regarded as particularly safe for swimming, but there has always been the odd time and tide when special, care was needed.
As early as 1899 the Town Board instructed the' Town Clerk to "have a board written" warning people of the danger of bathing on the south end of the bay.
In 1901 the Opunake Beach Society was formed. Mr Knell the Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and Mr Blythe a watchmaker, were leaders in the move, and by 1907 they invited estimates for a bathing shed-not to exceed 215. Mr Sims built the shed for 13 pounds. Then a fresh-water barrel was placed on the beach for the convenience of picnic parties-but the report didn't say just where the fresh water came from. (Probably from one of the small springs emanating from the face of the cliff.)
When a deputation waited on the Town Board asking for a donation towards beach improvements, they were granted 15 pounds towards upgrading the bathing shed, subject to the building being handed over, free of debt, either to the Town Board or the Domain Board.
The next step forward was the opening of a kiosk in 1911. At the Annual General Meeting of the Beach Society a year later, it was reported that over two hundred people had visited the beach on New Year's Day.