Cambridge 100 Years Ago - November 1907
Patients at Te Waikato TB Sanatorium, who were strong enough to move about, were encouraged to do gardening, poultry breeding, pottery, photography or wood carving.
The number of subscribers on the Cambridge Telephone Exchange list was 50, and 15 more were required before the office would be kept open continuously from 8 am till 8 pm.
With the erection of the Band Rotunda in the Cambridge Domain there was a want for more seats. 'At present the number of seats is rather limited, and very often many of them are found stowed away in some secluded spot, presumably removed there by the Romeos and Juliets.'
Although about a dozen fishing licences had been issued, and the fishermen had been out and about in all directions, there was no sign of any trout.
Mrs J Martyn of 'Broadmeadows' bought 150 acres of the Bruntwood Estate at £22 an acre.
Having spent 41 years in New Zealand, Mr and Mrs George Watt of 'Abergeldie' in Cambridge returned on a visit to Aberdeenshire, returning via Canada. (The sons of George Watt operated a cheese factory in Cambridge.)
A very handsome challenge cup, presented for competition by Surgeon Captain Roberts to the No 3 Waikato Mounted Rifles, was on view at Mr R T Tudehope's shop.
During the military events at the Waikato Show, Trooper Ranstead's horse took charge of him and ran over Captain W R C Walker, who was assisting with the events. The captain was knocked down and trodden on, the horse falling over him; but he fortunately escaped with a couple of small scalp wounds.
The Primitive Methodist Church at Fencourt was opened with Rev P J Mairs the preacher. Later at a social Mesdames Jamieson, Simpson, Read, Beer, H Jamieson and Misses Jamieson, Simpson and Beer presided over the tea tables. Mr C Reid provided the plans gratis and W J White was builder.
Stray cows and horses were becoming a nuisance since Joseph Sharkey, the ranger, had resigned. Four cows broke into the Town Clerk's paddock and feasted on a luxuriant crop of oats.
Mr Mervyn Wells, while standing by the wire fence at the railway at the height of the thunderstorm, was suddenly knocked to the ground by the shock of a thunder-clap.
The people of Karapiro bought a piano which they kept at the Gorton School for use at church and social purposes.
A small boy at the Bowling and Tennis Clubs opening would have liked a drink but didn't like tea. It was suggested he could have had milk, he replied, "I waited for the ladies to stop talking; but as they didn't stop, I didn't get a chance to ask - that's the worst of ladies."
An accident occurred at the Victoria Bridge when the removing of some 'staying' fell on the leg of a lad named George Kelly. He returned to work a few days later.
The Oddfellows Sports Committee held a working bee on Victoria Square to put the cycle track in order for their New Years Sports Day. The sharp corner at the western end of the track was ploughed up and reshaped in the hope that the risk of mishaps to the wheelmen would be greatly minimised.
A large number of young ladies attended a social at the St Andrew's Schoolroom and handed in handmade gifts for the upcoming Rose Show and Fancy Fair.
There was a revival of cricket and the 'Cambridge Cricket Club' was formed with W F Buckland (an old cricketer) elected president. He advised members that Victoria Square was available for the Club.
'It was reported that some gear belonging to a former cricket club in the town was in the possesion of Mr Langmuir jnr., and no doubt that if that gentleman was approached he would be willing to hand it over to the new club.'
'His Worship the Mayor (Mr W F Buckland) is the latest local resident to invest in a motor car, the machine being a ten horse power Cadillac.'
A new main water pipe of 5 inches was laid to the tank on the Water Tower and a new engine installed for pumping purposes. 10,000 gallons of water per hour could now be pumped in an emergency.
The High Level Bridge Opening Ceremony Committee put forward a programme which was accepted by the Cambridge Borough Council. The Mayor, W F Buckland, said they should rise to the occasion, paint up the place, and brush the bees off the verandah posts. (Two swarms had been recently captured by enterprising apiarists.)
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