Cambridge 100 Years Ago - September 1909
Sheep-worrying by dogs is again taking place amongst some of the flocks in the district, Messrs J Taylor of 'Bardowie', J Allwill of 'Clermont,' and Mrs Martyn of 'Broadmeadows,' being amongst the losers of sheep by the depredations of stray dogs.
An interesting demonstration of pruning and fruit tree spraying was given at Mr F J Brooks' orchard, 'Jesmond', by Mr J A Campbell, Inspector of orchards. He sprayed trees with a large pump, the preparation being simple in composition, lime, sulphur and soda, prepared without boiling. He made a Bordeaux mixture of lime and bluestone, for winter dressing, and illustrated it could be applied with advantage, especially to peach trees as a cure for the leaf-curl blight.
Never before has this Dominion entered on a dairying season under more favourable circumstances. The season just passed had in many instances been a record in many respects, but the more important fact was that it was followed by the most favourable winter known to the proverbial 'oldest inhabitant'. The lambing season also opened satisfactorily for flock-owners.
Along with an excellent concert, the Waikato Hunt ball featured the Gwynnelands Waltz and Bardowie Lancers on their dance programme.
At the opening of the new Cambridge Courthouse this morning Dr Findlay stated that Supreme Court sittings were to be held in future at Hamilton. He explained that District Courts had now been abolished, that their procedure was obsolete and had ranked amongst the absurdities.
There were present at the ceremony – Mayor W F Buckland, Borough Councillors, Town Clerk and a number of J'sP, and prominent townsmen and settlers. The member for Waikato, Mr H J Greenslade, M P, was also present.
A feature of the landscape of Duke Street recently was the presence of butter buyers, who, to the number of fourteen deep, were gathered round the doors of the office of the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Co. All the buyers were young men, and seemed to be much milder types of mankind than the blatant buyers of wool, whose raucous voices are often heard in the market place. Soft as butter in speech were they, as they gently and courteously, one by one, genially ushered themselves in.
At the annual three day Cambridge Spring Horse Sale there were 800 entries, mainly draught and light horses.
Justices of the Peace, W F Buckland and E J Wilkinson were the first magistrates to officially sit in the new Courthouse when they cancelled a prohibition order. Sam Lewis was the solicitor.
The Hautapu Sunday School Social was well attended and after the concert programme the evening was devoted to the usual competitions – cake weight guessing, untangling a skein of wool, chocolates in a bottle, nail driving and fishing. The Sunday School funds benefited by about £11.
The fire bell rang out an alarm at 9 pm, the cause being a chimney on fire at the National Hotel. The fire brigade turned out, but their services were not required.
Mr Moroney's large estate at Tauwhare was broken into four farms – the new owners being Messrs Scott, Jones, Clothier and Bellamy the latter having the homestead and 500 acres.
Through the Souter & Co agency Mr Jared Allwill bought a 20 h.p. Ford motor car that seated 5 people and had a top speed of 45 m.p.h. Dr Roberts also bought a ford fitted with hood and wind screen.
A variety of entertainments was provided at the floral show and sale of work, in connection with the Presbyterian Church, which was held in the Alexandra Hall. Among other attractions Mr G Warren gave musical items and humorous recitations each evening.
The Cambridge and Leamington juniors played a football match on Victoria Square where the former had a very easy win, by 28 points to 6. The referee was Mr Chas. Ruge.
The Cambridge ladies' combined hockey team journeyed to Te Awamutu and played a match with the ladies team of that town. The visitors were defeated, after a very interesting and exciting contest, by 2 goals to nil. A member of the Cambridge team, E Dickinson, sustained a crack on the nose shortly after the commencement of the match.
A cricket club was formed at Hautapu and it was hoped that Cambridge, Leamington and Roto-o-rangi players would do their best to form clubs and then form an Association and arrange to play matches during the coming season.
St Peters ' Fancy Fair was a great success taking in about £240.
About 50 to 60 pupils were attending the Seventh Day Adventist School at Pukekura.
Messrs Chappell and Woolley, the contractors for the erection of the Town Hall in Cambridge, anticipate from present appearances, to have the structure completed by the end of November.
Dominion Day was celebrated in Cambridge by a church parade by the Waikato D Squadron Mounted Rifles and Cadets. The troops marched to St Andrews Church, and there attended divine service.
A borough councillor, jokingly mentioned that perhaps they need not employ a Sanitary Officer because Cambridge had very few infectious diseases.
Another black swan was added to the three placed upon Lake Te Koutu, in the Domain, Mr Wm Newell of Tamahere, having generously presented the Domain Board with the latest addition.
The first performance of a public nature, under the auspices of the Cambridge branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, took place last evening. The gymnasts who had been coached by Mr J J Collis, gave a really creditable exhibition, consisting of exercises with dumbbells, Indian clubs, exercises on the parallel and horizontal bars, vaulting horse and Roman rings. Everyone was greatly surprised to see the progress made by the young men in such a short time.
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