100 Years: 1910 Jan – Dec

January 1910

The sum of £1,000 granted by Mr Carnegie for the new library came to hand at the end of 1909. The Carnegie Library was opened to the public on 3 January 1910.
The chimes of the Post Office clock stopped suddenly during the holidays. The wooden frames on which the bells were hung, shrunk, owing to the dry weather. Mr Bunyard, the Borough engineer had the matter promptly attended to. Also of concern were cracks appearing in the brickwork of the tower but an officer of the Public Works saw no cause for alarm.
The Town Band rendered a selection of tunes at the fountain. Several hilarious individuals appeared on the scene and created a certain amount of fun for the onlookers. Two or three of the performers, not being quite able to maintain their equilibrium, were landed in the fountain. No acts of drunkenness, disorder of larrikinism were reported.
A pneumatic tyre, divided into twelve sections each with a valve was invented to easier repair a puncture.
A trial took place on Mr R Reynolds’ farm of a Benicia Reversible Hillside Disc Plough. The plough was also excellent on level country and road formation.

There were 85 cases held in the Magistrate’s court in 1909 – the fines and fees amounted to £99 19s. Civil actions, before the Justices of the Peace, totalled 133 with the amount sued for being £1,690. 19. 4d and the amount recovered £1,031. 8s. 1d.
The North Island Egg-laying Competition Association Ltd decided to voluntarily wind-up at the end of the present competition. The lease on the land in Carters’ Flat and the pens and plant would be offered for sale.
A unique gathering of members of the Waikato Nurses Mounted Corps met at Te Waikato Sanatorium. Miss Rochfort was proud that the first meeting in connection with the movement for the universal training for girls had been held on the ‘Hill’.
Seven tenders were put forward for the erection of a pavilion at the recreation reserve in Browning Street. The lowest tender of Mr W Hogan, £255, was accepted. The architect was Charles Reid. The Leamington Domain Board also decided to put swings in the reserve – one to be a boat swing with wire ropes.
The Presbyterian minister’s horse died and it was intimated from the pulpit that donations for a new horse would be received by any committee member.

Mainly through the efforts of the Chamber of Commerce the telephone service was linked to the surrounding districts. In many cases members of Chamber personally incurred the liability of guarantors to the Telegraph Department.
The first service under the auspices of the Waikato Baptists Union was held in the Farmers’ Clubrooms. Pastor J D Mills conducted the services while a visiting quartette sang gospel songs. The Baptists had carried on operations in the district many years ago, the Alexandra Hall being their Tabernacle formerly standing near the Domain in Thornton Road.
The Waihi Gold Mining Co made a start on their electric power works at Horahora and Crowther & Bell were to run a coach to bring the workmen into Cambridge on a Saturday.
The Salvation Army held its annual prize giving with books going to Eva Ching, Agnes Ching, Janet Ching, Blanche Keeley, Amy Ching, Lydia Corbett, Ruby Shaw, Olive Corbett, Charlie Davys, Harold Keeley, Arthur Corbett, Elsie Davys, Sophia Heaslip, Louis Corbett and Dora Heaslip.
Mr Russo and his two sons (of Roto-o-rangi) went fishing in the Mangapiko Stream after supper and when they returned found their six-roomed house totally destroyed by fire.

‘Several acceptable showers of rain fell yesterday. The fall during last week has ensured the turnip crop, and has interfered very little with the harvest operations in this district.’
Local magistrate Henry William Northcroft retired from the bench after 32 years. He had always directed the officers of the court to extend the necessary privileges to both sides and to recognise that the prisoner at the bar had the same right to demand justice as the officer of the Crown.
Tuesday 25 January 1910 was the first time the Cambridge Borough Council met in the new Municipal Chambers in the Town Hall. The old Borough Chambers had been the newspaper printing offices of G W Russell (1885) then Sir William Wastney (1889) – ‘so it will be seen that the old Chambers has in one way and another been the birthplace of many schemes for the betterment or otherwise of the town.’
A canvassing committee was set up around the district to raise money for the YMCA to raise £250 for improvements to their property in Lake Street. Mr Priestley hoped to raise £10 in Auckland.
Road names from a Cambridge Road Board report – Tamahere Avenue, Graham’s Road, McCann’s Hill.

February 1910

‘Parents will no doubt be pleased to learn that the midsummer school vacation is ending and that schools reopen on Tuesday morning next.’
Halley’s Comet was coming into view in the north-east to east sky.
Movement was afoot towards a new Technical School beside the Courthouse as the architect to the Board of Education, Mr John Farrell, visited the site as did a representative of the contractor, Mr Evans.
Miss Avenell, who had been in charge of the millinery department of R T Tudehope’s establishment for some time, was presented with a handsome salad bowl when she severed her connection with the firm.
The firm held their annual outing on the launch ‘Taniwha’, lunching at The Narrows then spending an hour at the Hamilton Regatta before heading home in the evening.
The YMCA also held a river excursion to The Narrows where a picnic lunch was held at Mr C Day’s property. The motor launch ‘Maui ‘ was chartered for the occasion and although the weather was a bit wet about sixty pleasure seekers enjoyed the outing.
Jas. Anderson was reported as selling his 200 acre farm ‘Lily Bank’ at Pukerimu to A Norman Macky for £24 an acre.

Te Waikato Sanatorium gave Miss Rochfort the Matron, a surprise farewell as she left the institution after seven years service. Miss Rochfort had organised a ‘send off’ for two of her Sisters and was surprised when Dr Roberts expressed the regret felt at the Matron leaving. She was presented with a gold pendent set with pearls and an address written on leather. Miss Inglis took over as the new Matron.
J E Bell opened a Bakery and Confectionery business in Leamington and was selling his bread for cash at 3½d per 2lb loaf, and 4d booked. He offered 10% discount on accounts paid by the 10th of the month.
Drainage was a sore point at Leamington resulting in two residents (Keeley and Jarrett) coming to fisticuffs as they left the meeting. (Click here for a full account.)
The Cambridge Domain Board was to look into bathing in the Lake. Mr Buckland said he would like some attempt made to encourage bathing in the Lake. Mr E N Souter pointed out that according to medical opinion the Lake was not safe to bathe in. Dr Roberts said he would not like to bathe in the Lake .

Makgill and Middleton offered the Matamata County a year’s rates in advance (£110) if it was used to benefit the new settlers who had bought part of their estate at Maungatautari.
The secretary of the local Fire Brigade, Fireman C Ruge, was presented with a five years’ silver service medal. A canvas of the town was taking place for honorary members and Lieutenant H Mullins was elected their official representative at the annual conference in Hastings.
Finally the Borough Council and old Library Committee agreed that the Carnegie Library committee was to consist of Crs R T Tudehope and C H Priestley, Ven Archdeacon Walsh, Messrs J H Hammond, M Butler, C Boyce and A Wilkinson. The librarian Miss E Dickinson tendered her resignation through illness.
Some of the workmen at the Waihi Co’s power works at Horahora had rented houses in Cambridge for their families. Crowther and Bell’s brake brought the men into town on a Saturday.
A Rugby Football Club was formed at Bruntwood and entered into Cambridge Rugby Union’s contest. Their jerseys were black with blue hoops and the subscription for the coming season was 2/6d per member.

Three tenders were received by the Borough Council to erect a fence around the Town Hall. Mr H E Davy’s £43 was recommended and accepted by the Finance Committee.
The Mayor requests that Friday (People’s Day of the show) be taken as a holiday from noon in lieu of the usual Wednesday half holiday this week.
References were made to the late Bishop Lenihan at St Peters Church, marking his death with ‘Dead March In Saul’ played by organist Mrs Lundon. Good attendances at both services.
A summer dance was decided upon, in aid of the Town Band’s recent contest funds, by a well-attended meeting of ladies at Alexandra Hall on Saturday afternoon. The dance will occur at the Town Hall on March 9.
John Mintern Paull was charged at the Supreme Court for attempted murder at Mystery Creek of Mr Jordan and Mr Ward. Mr Paull was sentenced to seven years hard labour by Mr Justice Edwards.
Waikato Central Agricultural Show has record entries, now over 2000. The light horse section expected to be the prominent feature.

March 1910

Cambridge has been named as the most up-to-date town in the car line in the Waikato as there are now over 16 cars in the district. There is a new motorist every month with Mr A Hopkirk being the most recent.
At the recent Board of Education meeting Miss E B Evans was appointed assistant mistress at the Maungatautari School and Miss L Grise as probationer at Horahora.
Lord Kitchener passed through Cambridge with his sister, Mrs Parker of Jurow, and Mr Parker in a motorcar. They did not halt in Cambridge as they were en route to Rotorua.
People’s Day at the Show attracted record attendances with between 7,000 and 8,000 people (settlers and their families). Receipts gained from the gates and grandstand totalled £167 compared to the 1909 total of £145.
Letter to the editor from a ‘Visitor to the Show’ about not being able to be seated at the appropriate tables at the Carnegie Library due to hats, coats and waterproofs of other visitors being placed on the seats.
Carter the Magician will be appearing with his own company and 15 tons of accoutrements and apparatus at the Town Hall.

The largest audience yet seen at the Town Hall assembled on Tuesday night to see Carter the Magician.
The summer dance turned out to be a successful event with 60 to 70 couples attending until the early hours of the morning.
Mr Dickinson has been elected as the Cambridge, Te Awamutu and Morrinsville representative on the Waikato Health Board as he was the only person nominated.
Information regarding a new-born child’s body reached Constable McNamara who, along with Dr Roberts, travelled to Waotu in a buggy to investigate. It was found that a servant girl for Mr W Barnett was the mother and a post-mortem by Dr Roberts concluded the child had been alive, although there were no signs of violence.
The arrival of a professional golf coach hired by the Cambridge Golf Club is to arrive on April 4. Mr McCormack is from the firm of Messrs Hood and McCormack of Otahuhu.
Minister for Public Health, the Hon D Buddo, accompanied by his private secretary Mr Black, arrived in Cambridge to pay an official visit to Te Waikato Sanatorium.

Discussions were held regarding the visit of Rev. H S Woollcombe, during the CEMS meeting on Tuesday. Mr Woollcombe will be providing a ‘Message to Men’ and it was decided cards and invitations will be provided to the men of the district to attend.
St. Paul’s Methodist Church will be celebrating their anniversary and harvest festival where a large congregation is expected. Decorations and musical portions are likely during the event.
Cambridge Co-Operative Dairy Co Ltd, has had an increase in its February monthly payout of £3,804 compared to last year’s £3,080. The amount of butter produced (pounds) has also increased. Recent rains have prolonged the life of the dairy season with the abundance of feed, increasing butter exports.
A young woman who was charged with causing the death of her infant child and disposing and concealing of the body at Waotu, was brought to Cambridge yesterday. She has been remanded for appearance at Auckland at a further date.
A meeting of the District High School Committee, chaired by Mr J Lundon, found through reading of reports that the primary division had an attendance of 207 and roll of 240, while the secondary division had an attendance of 21 and roll of 24. Increases in primary divisions saw an increase in staff.
The Scarlett Troubadours will play their brief return season after touring Australia for two years, at the Town Hall on the 30th.

Satisfactory increases in annual funds and memberships of the Loyal Duke of Cambridge Lodge, IOOF, MU, was recorded in the annual report for the year ending 31st December 1909.
On Tuesday there was a meeting at the Borough Council where the mayor produced to the council an enlarged, framed photograph of himself, asking the Council’s acceptance of the item. Mr Buckland said the picture deserved a prominent place in the Chamber. Decision was moved by Cr Ferguson, and seconded by Cr Dickinson.
Free issuing of library books was discussed at the recent Borough Council meeting, where it was agreed that local rate-payers of the Borough shall receive free issuing while visitors shall pay 10s fee for issuing.
There will be a change in proprietorship of the Waikato Independent as of April 1st, as it has been purchased by Messrs T G Wilson and A E Havelock-Green of Cambridge .

Messrs Richmond and Holmes have claimed to have invented an improvement to current milking machines, where cows can be milked in half the time. They are planning to apply for letters patent for their invention.
Annie Priscilla Hall (youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Samuel Hall of Hautapu) was married to Charles Frederick (second son of Mr and Mrs H Tyler of Bruntwood) at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Cambridge on Easter Monday, 28th March.
Miss Eleanor Elizabeth Cliffen (eldest daughter of Mr E T Cliffen of Cambridge) was married to Mr F F Taylor of Kingsland Auckland at the St. Andrew’s Church yesterday.
A large gale brought many trees down around the district, due to stormy weather. Telegraphic communication was interrupted and several outbuildings were unroofed.
The Borough Council has the intention of performing various works such as repairing watertables, re-tarring of footpaths, and gravelling of the centre streets. This is due to the start of the new financial year.
Mr Jas. Forrest of Cambridge has recently left for his third trip to the old country after selling 220 acres to Mr Gilbert Watt while keeping 80 for himself.
A fire broke out at the stable located at the rear of Mr F G Sanders’ fruit shop in Victoria Street. Mr Sanders was uninsured, while Mr Collins’ property which adjoins experienced some fire damage. Mr Collins is insured.

April 1910

It is estimated that the increase in the output of the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Co this season will be between 60 and 70 tons in excess of that of last year.
Mr Martin Butler of Cambridge travelled to New Plymouth where he experienced what was stated to be the most severe storm that had ever occurred there.
Hautapu Hockey Club played Leamington in their opening match, winning 13 to 2.
At the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Mr Lundon stated that in order to push Cambridge and the district ahead, practical treatment of Native lands is required as there is a poor chance of industries to develop here due to the unsuitable railway connection.
Tenders were received and accepted at the meeting of the Carnegie Library for new linoleum to be laid in the reading room.
An extra late mail service has been reviewed at the meeting of the Chamber of Commerce as considerable correspondence had been received from the Secretary of the Post Office on the subject. This is very important for Cambridge as it would put business dealings with other parts ahead one day.
The district electors roll closes at the Borough Council at 1pm tomorrow. No other names will be taken after this time.

Mr E J Wilkinson was nominated for the position of Mayor of Cambridge this morning by Messrs P Fogarty and J Ferguson. The district’s Electors Roll closed yesterday with 15 new names added. The roll at present contains 700 names.
The local YMCA gymnastics class will commence for winter on Monday evenings, instruction by Mr J J Collis.
Protest has been raised by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce against some Auckland doctors and the reasoning behind their recommendation that people not go to Cambridge.
Mr E B Hill of Cambridge has had a reply from the Secretary of the Post Office in regards to his £90 tender to carry the late mail from Cambridge to Hamilton. If he is successful, he will carry out the service by motor-car.
New resident Mr H S Milner who has opened up a plumbing firm on Empire Street has joined the St Andrew’s choir. He has a good quality bass voice and took the solo during the anthem ‘Incline Thine Ear’.

Mr Geo Dickinson was nominated for the position of Mayor of Cambridge by Messrs W Graham and John McFarlane.
Operations at the Wari Wari Sawmilling Co located on Maungatautari have commenced on the north-eastern side of the mountain. After a long completion, it has been said the mill is now producing good quality timber such as rimu and kahikatea.
The 20th annual Cambridge Chrysanthemum Show will be declared open by His Worship the Mayor and there will be over 300 rose buds from well-known gardner Mr W E Lippiatt of Otahuhu.
Two possible sites for permanent military training camps have been provided to the Government; one near Waimarino and one near Waiouru which is the option most favoured by Colonel Tuson.
A meeting of householders will be held at the School on Monday to elect a School Committee for the ensuing year.
Wednesday 27th will host an entertainment evening at the Fencourt Barn where it is hoped funds will be raised to purchase a piano for religious and social functions at the Goodwood School. Well-known Cambridge, Hamilton and Te Kuiti vocalists will participate.
Mayor W F Buckland concluded at the recent Borough Council Meeting that this would be the final meeting he would chair.
Headmaster Mr W R C Walker of Cambridge School has noted to his committee the necessity of securing the paddock alongside the school to increase the size of the playground.
Douglas Stirling was charged 3 months hard labour at the Cambridge S M Court for obtaining £10 from Mrs Rout by means of false pretences.

On Saturday afternoon at 1pm the No.3 Waikato Mounted Rifles went on parade.
Tuesday evening saw a large audience come to celebrate the performance put forth by the famous band ‘Besses o’ th’ Barn’. Visitors from all the outlying districts were also present and everyone dispersed satisfied after enthusiastic performances and several encores exceeded their expectations.
Mr Geo Dickinson was elected Mayor of Cambridge by 40-odd votes. The speech of the defeated candidate when the poll was declared was tactful and generous. It was noted that several citizens of the Borough did not place a vote and it is hoped that in future elections every ratepayer will regard his right to vote as a privilege not to be lightly tossed.
Well-known and respected townsman Mr Thomas Wells has recently passed away. It was said that he lived not for himself but to leave the world better than he found it.
Extended invitations have been given to the public to attend the presentation being made to W F Buckland on his retiring from the office of Mayor.
Mail collection at the Cambridge Post Office will now close each evening at 8pm due to the new mail service between Cambridge and Hamilton starting on Monday. The tender for the mail service sent to the Government by Messrs Crowther and Bell was accepted.
A meeting of citizens was held in Cambridge to arrange a public monument to be erected in memoriam of the late Mr T Wells. [Thomas Wells Memorial gates at the entrance to the Cambridge Domain.]

May 1910

The British cruiser Philomel captured off Jask, in Persia, had 2,000 rifles and a quarter of a million cartridges destined for the hill tribes of Afghanistan.
A special meeting of the Cambridge Borough Council was held on Wednesday at noon for the purpose of installing the newly elected Mayor, Mr Geo Dickinson.
A resident of Cambridge noticed a white crane flying past his house. So rare are these birds now that when one was seen in the South Island the opinion was expressed that it was the first noted for many years.
With the new mail service between Cambridge and Hamilton commencing, the mail closed at the Cambridge post office at a quarter to 8pm.
The set of false teeth advertised as lost, in the ‘Independent’ some days ago, have been returned and await the owner.
The universal respect and esteem in which the late Mr Thomas Wells was held throughout the district was strikingly exemplified when settlers and visitors from far and near assembled in Cambridge to attend his funeral. It was said to be the largest funeral ever held in the Waikato. Over 200 vehicles were in procession for over two miles. The service was held at St Andrews.

The death was announced of Miss Lottie Collier, formerly a well known music hall singer, who introduced the one time popular song, “Ta-ra-rara-boom-deay”.
The handsome pavilion erected on the Leamington Domain was completed and taken over by the Leamington Domain Board. The structure was a credit to the Board, builder Mr Hogan and the architect Mr C Reid.
The Mayor was asked to consider asking the trades people of Cambridge to hold the weekly half holiday on Friday the 13th instead of the Wednesday. The motion was unanimously agreed to. For the convenience of guests attending the Military Ball on the evening of the 13th a special train will run from Frankton to Cambridge stopping at all stations. It will leave Frankton at 6.50 pm, returning from Cambridge at 2 am.
An extraordinary cable message, received just as the paper went to press, stated:- On the 7th May “KING EDWARD DIED AT MIDNIGHT.”
The sad news of the Kings death reached Cambridge on Saturday and, combined with the inclement weather, had a most depressing effect upon preparations made in connection with the military camp. It was decided to abandon the gymkhana and also the Ball which was to be held in the evening.

An unusual sight was witnessed a few days ago at a funeral on the out-skirts of one of Taranaki’s back country towns. The vehicle containing the coffin was driven by a young lady and the burial service was read by the local hotel keeper.
According to Mr Stevenson F.R.A.S., Halley’s Comet is now some 16 million miles distant and is approaching at the rate of three million miles daily. The comet is clearly seen in the early morning, but will shortly appear at night in the western sky.
There is a keen demand for coke in Cambridge at present. The engineer to the local gasworks has orders on hand aggregating six tons, but has practically no coke in stock.
It was a difficult matter at this time to secure the services of good men for road works.
The natives in the vicinity of Durban connect the death of King Edward with Halley’s comet, which is now clearly visible. They believe the comet is a chariot sent to carry the King’s soul to heaven.
Scarlet fever is prevalent in Auckland, there being upwards of 40 cases now being treated in the District Hospital .

A feature of the Waikato Winter Show was the arts and home industries displays. A hall was specially set apart for this department of the Show and special provision was made for lighting it.
It was decided to hold a combined service in connection with the death of the late King Edward in the Town Hall at 2.30 pm where ministers of the various churches took part. A collection was taken up in aid of the Veteran’s Home, Auckland.
A pair of Canadian Geese valued at £12, which Mr C A Whitney had promised to donate to the Cambridge Domain Board, were placed on Lake Te Koutu.
The final payment was made to Mr Hogan in connection with the erection of the pavilion in the Leamington Domain. The total cost of the work was £274 and the building was a decided credit to the Board responsible for its erection.
An invitation was extended to the public generally to attend the official opening of the pavilion and band rotunda at the domain. Afternoon tea was provided. The weather proved favourable and Cambridge folk were largely represented at the opening.

Another popular social was held in the Fencourt Church when the building was again crowded. There was singing from the choir, solos, duets and humorous recitations. The young people had a good time with parlour games, after which refreshments were handed around, and a very enjoyable evening was had by all.
A skating rink was opened in the Alexandra Hall in Victoria Street. Mr Boyce had the floor prepared for the pastime, and during the winter months skating was liberally indulged in.
It was estimated that there were fully eight hundred people in the Cambridge town hall for the memorial service for the late King. A large number of people were unable to gain admittance. The sum of £5 14s 4d was raised which went to the Veterans’ Home in Auckland.
Owing to the horse cutting the corner too fine, Mrs H Kelly, her daughter and a lady friend were thrown from the buggy. Mrs Kelly was unconscious for a time and was taken to St. Mary’s Convent, returning home later. The other occupants received minor injuries.

June 1910

A tender of £239 7s 6d was received and accepted from Giles Brother and Lund, for the erection of a creamery and two bedroom cottage at Monavale for the Cambridge Co-op Dairy Co.
The price of milk for the winter months from 1 June was raised from 3d to 4d a quart.
Vital statistics for the Borough of Cambridge in May were 10 births, 1 marriage and 2 deaths.
The residents of Taotaoroa were intending to build a hall on Mr Thomas Bruce’s farm at the corner of the Cambridge-Matamata and Buckland Roads and had already subscribed over £30 towards the hall.
Thirty years ago [from June 1910] the number of sheep in the British Empire was roughly 120 million of which Australia contributed just under 50 millions. A recent compilation gives the flocks of the Empire as about 200 millions, of which the Commonwealth provides close to half. This calculation includes Australia, Canada, Cape Colony, Transvaal, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The total number of sheep in the world is about 480 million so the British Empire contains 42 percent of the world’s sheep, as against about 25 percent three decades ago.
The price of a 4lb loaf of bread was reduced to 7d due to the decline in wheat values. The price had not been altered for some time. A 25lb sack of flour was £10 5s.

‘In these days of controversy over what is best to drink, spirits or tea, it is interesting to note that during the past year the amounts of money sent out of the country for these two classes of drinkables were practically the same. The bonded value of spirits imported last year is put at £279,139 while that of tea is £279,900 or £761 more. The tea however, came in practically free, while £577,000 was paid in duty upon the spirits before it left the bond.’
The quantity of gas sold to consumers by the Cambridge Borough Council during May totalled 258,000 feet, an increase of 35,000 feet on the month of April, and an increase of 21,000 feet compared to May the previous year.
The advantages of cooking with gas were becoming generally recognised in Cambridge and as a result the Borough Council had disposed of a number of gas stoves and grillers during the past few weeks.
‘A curious incident happened to an Auckland lady who arrived by Ruahine from London recently. Her husband is an officer on board the Waimate, which sailed four days prior to the Ruahine from the docks. As an officer’s wife is not allowed to accompany her husband to sea in his boat, the lady had to book a passage by the Ruahine. Shortly after leaving the Cape, the liner sighted the Waimate one morning. The two vessels immediately exchanged greeting, and passed each other sufficiently close to allow husband and wife to carry on an animated conversation by means of megaphones, much to the delight and excitement of the respective crews and passengers.’

Constable McNamara returned to Cambridge after spending his vacation in the Tauranga District. He proved a source of annoyance to the feathered game in that locality and returned with twelve brace of pheasants and forty quail. Many of his friends were looking forward to quail on toast.
The laying of the gas mains in Bryce Street has been completed, and a street lamp erected at the junction of that street and Hamilton Road. Eight new connections with private residents had been made since the first of the month.
Members of the Cambridge Savage Club paid an evening visit to the Sanatorium and submitted a programme of vocal, instrumental and recitative items. The entertainment was appreciated by the inmates and staff.
‘On Saturday and Monday next the Caledonian Entertainers appear at the Cambridge Town Hall. The company, under the direction of Mr Jack Willis of Pollard’s, Ricards and Bland Holt Coys, is said to be the most powerful combination that has toured the dominion. Reports speak well of the performers, and there will doubtless be a full house to greet them in Cambridge.’

In response to a request from the Waihi Company, the Crowther & Bell mail coach changed its Cambridge departure time from 9 am Friday to Saturday. This allowed the workmen at Hora Hora Falls to take advantage of the Saturday half day holiday and spend the weekend in Cambridge.
Lovers of dance were reminded of the Fancy Dress social to be held in Mr Qualtrough’s barn at Fencourt. Every preparation was made for visitors to have an enjoyable time and, given the fine weather, the social was expected to be a great success.
The entries received for the Waikato Show to be held in Hamilton in July constituted a record for the Dominion, being in excess of 2,250. The exhibition promised to be one of the finest of its kind ever held in the Auckland Province and the Association was preparing for a record attendance.
One of the most fascinating and exhilarating of winter pastimes is skating, and lovers of this delightful sport were pleased to hear that all arrangements had been completed for the opening of a rink in the Alexandra Hall. Men’s classes were held in the evenings and an afternoon class for ladies was started. A large attendance was expected for the formal opening.

Messrs C Boyce and Sons of Cambridge concluded a contract for supplying the men at the Horahora works with groceries and bread, running two trips a week to the works.
‘Excellent attendances were recorded at the Alexandra Skating Rink during the past few evenings. A consignment of men’s skates were to hand and the floor is now receiving attention.’
Messrs E O’Neil and H Davis had been in the Cambridge district with the object of buying suitable artillery and infantry horses intended for the Sydney market.
The Long Night Social held in the Alexandra Hall was most successful, and the management spared no endeavours to make it a bigger and brighter and more sociable event than those held previously. Lovers of the light fantastic eagerly looked forward to the evening and with the fine weather, the management’s efforts were crowned with success. The floor had special attention, and needless to say a bountiful supper was provided by the ladies. Dancing commenced at 8 pm and went to the wee small hours.
Mr C Thomas of Cambridge purchased 232 acres of the Monavale Estate, with the intention of establishing a dairy herd upon the property.
Mrs Payson Smith sold her residence in Bowen Street Cambridge to Mrs Dennis of Leamington.

Unfortunately the next volume of the Independent, which covers the rest of 1910, is missing from our collection. Therefore there will be a gap in the Cambridge 100 Years Ago section until the following volume’s anniversary arrives in January 2011. Until then, watch this space.