Cambridge 100 Years Ago - February 1907
Gricedale School at Roto-o-rangi held their annual picnic and sports in Mr C Peake's paddock at 'Wattleby'. Close upon 200 persons were present, young and old all vying with each other and entering into the various games with great zest. In the 100 yards handicap, Mr M Peake made a lively start and looked a winner at the 80 yards mark but McPherson crept up and beat him by a yard.
The editor told the Cambridge West residents that as their letters (regarding Cambridge West having its own Town Board) had degenerated into personalities they would not be published.
The Chiming Town Clock subscriptions (including the Borough Council's £100) had risen to £192. The Chamber of Commerce committed itself to raising the £300 and were going to make a systematic canvas of the town and suburbs, as well as arranging a special carnival.
Hon. Dr Findlay, Acting Post Master wrote that he regretted his inability to establish telephonic communications between Cambridge and Pukeroro but few would use the telephone at Pukeroro and revenue would not warrant the expenditure.
Mr Mahood, foreman of the Piako County Council, reported that three bridges and a wooden culvert had floated down the Waikato River from his district in a recent flood and the timber was being sold at Cambridge by unauthorised persons.
The local list of subscriptions for a National Memorial to Late Rt.Hon. R J Seddon closed at £6 14/-.
Members of the Cambridge Polo Club had a pleasant afternoon's sport at 'Bardowie' with Mr Hannon's team winning six goals to three over Mr Well's team.
Several hundred Maori assembled at Tauwhare pa to discuss Native Lands etc. Messrs Boyce & Sons were contracted to provide 300 loaves of bread daily while the camp lasted.
A new Tent of the Independent Order of Rechabite's - the Hope of Hamilton - was opened in Hamilton. The members of the Auckland District then travelled to Cambridge in a Crowther & Bell coach, and held their half-yearly meeting in the Farmers' Clubroom. They were then guests of the Star of Cambridge Lodge at a luncheon at the Victoria Street Tea Rooms and held a concert in the Alexandra Hall. Members pledged total abstinence.
The Editorial sang the praises of the pioneer companies and capitalists for draining, clearing, cropping and grassing their estates in the Waikato. And congratulated the settlers of Fencourt, Monavale, Gorton, Roto-o-rangi and Matamata for promoting a first class dairying and agricultural district.
The work on the new Post Office started on Monday and was halted on Thursday owing to the dispute about its siting. Finally the Post Master General telegrammed to say that the Post Office must be placed upon the Department's own site.
John Ferguson was re elected Chairman of the Cambridge Domain Board and said although he was not much of a gardener, he could always fall back on Mr Buckland for advice, which was always freely given. Dr Roberts had just returned from England and remarked that the Domain was much more floriferous than when he left the colony.
Maungatautari residents met to consider improving the Crow's Nest road. As the matter stood, they had a district in area, in fertility and in resources second to none in the Waikato, but retarded and cramped almost into insignificance by the laborious road.
The Chiming Clock subscriptions climbed to £202 17/-.
W J White's tender of £213 12s 6d was accepted by the North Island Egg-laying Competition Association Ltd for building pens, yards and a house on Domain Land on Carters Flat.
J E Fulton, engineer, reported that the Karapiro Bridge was not strong enough for traction engines and would only carry limited loads.
The Dairy Cow Testing competition, run by the Waikato Central A&P Show Assn, was won by 'Stumpy' - owned by Chas Lake of Fencourt. W J Hall of Thames was second, Arnold Blackman of Fencourt third and Mrs Martyn of 'Broadmeadows' fourth.
Partridges, imported into the district by Richard Reynolds, were reported to be thriving as several birds had been seen in various parts of the district.
Mr G H Waye disposed of his tailoring business to Mr P Burch.
The Borough Council were looking at providing a Public Pound for Cambridge at the saleyards.
At the forthcoming show Miss Blackmore would provide good tea, coffee, cocoa, milk, hop beer and soft drinks as well as ham, tongue and beef sandwiches, dainty meat pies, assorted cakes, all kinds of fruits and sweets.
