Cambridge 100 Years Ago - May 1909
A crowd of over 300 people gathered outside the Borough Chambers to hear that out of the seven Borough Councillors who stood for re-election, four were returned. J Ferguson, G Dickinson, T F Richards and R T Tudehope. The new members were Mervyn Wells, Sam Lewis, Chas H Priestley, A Underwood and Edward B Hill – considered by the newspaper to be 'independent'. 424 people voted.
Mr W S Brunskill of Taotaoroa, who did not seek re-election to the school committee, had been a member of the committee continuously for 24 years – a record worth being proud of.
Hockey around Cambridge was gaining popularity and a new club was formed at Roto-o-rangi. The ladies were looking for a field to practice on and were given permission to use part of Dr Roberts' grounds.
The Lay Readers at St Andrew's Anglican Church, Mr La Trobe, Mr Brooks, Mr Wells, Mr Wilkinson, Mr Dunning and Mr Ransom had taken over 100 services from Maungatautari to Ohaupo. Ringers' Guild – the bell ringers have done good work, and the ringing has been well done. It cost £85 to put gas in the church and it was mentioned that the shingles on the roof were 28 years old.
'In Mr E J Wilkinson's shop window a copy of a photo of the notorious Amy Bock, in male attire, may be seen.'
A lad named Tom McMillan slipped in the bush while out shooting at Maungakawa and his gun went off, the charge lodging in his armpit and coming out of his back.
The ratepayers of Leamington held a public meeting to petition the House of Representatives to give the Leamington Town Board control of the main County road running through the township.
The Waikato Hunt Club opened their season at the Hautapu School when a large field turned out, but the dry dusty weather saved many a hare. They traveled over Banks', Forrest's, Brown's, Hooker's and Parr's then one and all returned to the Master Norman Bank's home for afternoon tea.
Mr Chas S Stuart received advice that he had been appointed bandmaster of the Brass Band at Gore. Mr Stuart was much missed in local musical circles as he had been the local conductor for the past nine years, organiser of the Orchestral Society and conductor of St Paul 's Methodist choir.
Hockey one, shinny two, curly three and away. The local hockey clubs from Cambridge, Leamington, Gricedale and Hautapu decided to form a Cambridge Association and save every player the sum of £1 3 shillings in travelling fees.
Councillor M Wells remarked that as well as increasing the general rate from one shilling and sixpence to two shillings, it would also be necessary to strike a library rate of one penny and probably a three penny or four penny rate for the Town Hall. It was also decided to increase the sanitary pan service from sixteen shillings to seventeen shillings and sixpence.
Mr Thomas of Hautapu sold his farm of 200 acres to Messrs Duncan, who had recently arrived in the Dominion from Ireland.
The Cambridge MP, Mr Greenslade, was still battling for Hamilton and Cambridge to have their own Technical Schools – 'They were just as much entitled to it as Auckland City.'
The second North Island Egg Laying Competition was into its 52nd week and 138 eggs had been laid over the last week. Of the Light Breeds the Waikato Independent's pen of White Leghorns laid the most with 6 eggs.
Mr Justice Edwards of the Supreme Court in Auckland, heard the alleged Libel case Charles Reid versus Joseph William Souter. W F Buckland as a witness stated that plaintiff and defendant were like red rags in front of a bull. After another two day's evidence the jury awarded the plaintiff, Reid, £50 with a further £40 in costs for the solicitors.
Empire Day was a dismal day and observed in Cambridge as a public holiday with one flag flown from the Post Office.
The Magistrate Court in Cambridge was also busy with Samuel Hall not cleaning his orchard, Chas Potts and William Brockelsby allowing cattle to trespass on the railway line and Bert Denton leaving his butcher's cart unattended.
Because of the number of leaky taps wasting water in the borough, the Council agreed that the Waterworks Engineer put new washers on consumers' taps, free of charge.
Mr Channing Buckland of Canada was thanked for a gift of Canadian trees which were planted out and doing well at the domain.
Major W R C Walker asked the Council if his 300 soldiers could camp near the Masonic during their trek through the Waikato .
