Cambridge Over the Decades

Dairy Industry Around Cambridge the large estates of Fen Court, Karapiro and Whitehall had been taken over by the Government and cut up into smaller farms.  Now instead of one landowner Fencourt district had 37…

Influenza Epidemic Peace celebrations were to be held on 14 November 1918 but as the main body of men came home, an influenza epidemic swept the world.  The celebrations, opening of the swimming baths and…

The Children’s Playground in the Cambridge Domain was established in 1919 on the site of a former stop over pa used by the Maori on their way from Pirongia to Maungakawa. King Tawhaio called Lake…

The Plunket Society had been in Cambridge since 28 September 1917. The Independent reported – “A large number of ladies (and several babies) assembled in the Council Chamber”. They formed a sub branch of the…

In February 1940 Cabinet approved the building of Karapiro Dam for a Hydro Power Station. Heavy machinery was introduced and by October foundation work had started. By November there were 230 men employed and living…

The Golf Club arranged to buy 130 acres on SH1 from the Defence Department in 1950 for £2,475. Plans then got under way to turn the course around to fit in with a new clubhouse…

The 1960s were all go. The babies who were born after World War Two were now having their own babies. The Maternity Home on the corner of Hall and Taylor Streets was opened and the…

1970 saw the average weekly earnings rise to $45. Ten years before the average wage was $27.99c. Cambridge Borough Council introduced bi-monthly payments for rates. A farmlet of 9 acres with a three bedroom house…

1980 saw Mark Todd win the Badminton Whitbread Trophy in the cross country horse jumping event in England. Throughout the 1980’s further wins included Olympic gold and Top Sportsman of the Year. By 1999 Todd…

1990 marked 150 years since the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – The Treaty of Waitangi. The Cambridge Electric Power Board turned 70 years old at the beginning of 1990 and by the end…