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Our Cambridge Collection has changing exhibitions about Cambridge.  Much of our collection is in storage to ensure its preservation for future generations.

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Poems

When Cambridge was founded in 1864 the east bank of the Waikato River was called Cambridge East and the west bank Cambridge West. But in January 1865 a newspaper correspondent recorded, “As some of our huts are finished, headquarters have been shifted over the other side, some few days back, that is Cambridge, the left bank is Oxford, two very learned names, but study of any sort is not much thought about up here, I think.” Later, in 1873 the Armed Constabulary complained about the lack of literary encouragement and HQ in Wellington sent up some books to start a library. It was decided to name all the streets after authors and poets - a practice still continued by Waipa District Council. In 1907 the Cambridge West Town Board was formed and the name changed to Leamington in 1908. Leamington, England, was the birthplace of the chairman, James Keeley.

Worthy of an Ode

In October of 2006, the Cambridge Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary and a poetry competition was held as part of the celebrations. Entrants’ original poems were to be based on the subject of Cambridge…

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Pioneers

In October of 2006, the Cambridge Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary and a poetry competition was held as part of the celebrations. Entrants’ original poems were to be based on the subject of Cambridge…

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Our Town

In October of 2006, the Cambridge Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary and a poetry competition was held as part of the celebrations. Entrants’ original poems were to be based on the subject of Cambridge…

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I Went to a Town

In October of 2006, the Cambridge Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary and a poetry competition was held as part of the celebrations. Entrants’ original poems were to be based on the subject of Cambridge…

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C-A-M-B-R-I-D-G-E

In October of 2006, the Cambridge Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary and a poetry competition was held as part of the celebrations. Entrants’ original poems were to be based on the subject of Cambridge…

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A Town United

In October of 2006, the Cambridge Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary and a poetry competition was held as part of the celebrations. Entrants’ original poems were to be based on the subject of Cambridge…

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A Tale of Timothy Sullivan

In October of 2006, the Cambridge Historical Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary and a poetry competition was held as part of the celebrations. Entrants’ original poems were to be based on the subject of Cambridge…

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Working Bee

by ‘Backblocker’ – 23 March 1926 Oh, have you seen the workers At the corner of the street – With their picks, and forks, and shovels And their garden tools complete? It’s a sight that…

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Waikato River

by C W Clark – 28 September 1926 From Ruapehu’s snowy slopes A turgid torrent flows; But soon in spacious Taupo Lake It seeks a short repose. There fed by fellow streams and rills, Its…

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Ratepayer’s Lament and More Moans

Ratepayer’s Lament by William Street – 20 August 1954 The turf, it was piled by the old village clock. The grimy old clock. Slow-chiming old clock. A burial maybe; muckle gold in a sock? Oh…

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Our Fire

by ‘Unit E’ – 6 July, 1926 (Burning of the Farmer’s Auctioneering Co’s premises and the Central Hotel) At six o’clock on Thursday night, a copper off the beat, With thoughts of home, the wife…

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Old Buffers’ Match

by ‘Wayback’ – 19 June 1919 (Details of a Rugby match played as a patriotic fund raiser on Victoria Square) The day it was Wednesday the 18th June, The weather was fine at the wane…

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Ode to the Imitator

by G Kay Waikato Independent 26 April 1954 Of Leamington at last we’ve heard And though the poet is fluent of word, His verses do not rhyme too well This tendency goes to break the…

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Ode to the Imitations of Immortality

by M.S – 21 April 1954 (Leamington ) This other Leamington, this noble town, Set like a jewel in England’s farthest crown, Honours the many masters of the pen, By naming all her streets from…

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Kaimai Battle

by ‘Inky Finger’ – 6 November 1942 (Homeguard and Army Manoeuvres) At the finish of this war There’ll be wondrous tales in store For those who like the dinkum stuff Of soldiers who are brave…

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Hearts and Hearths Aglow

by A Grateful Pensioner – 14 July 1965 Winter is here with frosts that bite For hours, till sunshine drives them off. The winds too, pierce one left and right And raise the nasty, hacking…

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Furious Cambridge Flyer

by James Harvey – 6 September 1919 We’re off! Stand aside all ye loonies! Look out! Can’t yer see we’re agoin’? Standin’ there like ‘Gyptian mummies! Can’t yer ‘ear ‘er damn whistle blowin’? Clear the…

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For Sale: Ford Car

For Sale Ford Car 10 February 1923 One Ford Car with a piston ring, Two rear wheels, one front spring, Has no fenders, seat or plank, Burns much gas and hard to crank. Carburettor’s busted…

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Cricket Match at Oakleigh Farm

by C H Hargreaves – 2 December 1919 Just list’ to me, dear reader, I will tell to you in rhyme, Of a match we played at cricket, Where we had a bosker time. The…

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Cows, Cows, Cows

by C H Hargreaves – 14 August 1924 The cows are coming in again; We’re carting out the hay. All through the mud and rain and cold We’re toiling hard all day. The hungry calves…

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Christmas Love Rhymes

From Vandyke’s the Jeweller advertisement, 21 December 1905 Vandyke’s Rings engage the mind, And lead you to the altar shrine. Vandyke’s Brooches twine together Hearts that never after sever. Vandyke’s Bangles fain entangle Dainty wrists…

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C.H. Treadgold for Seeds! Seeds! Seeds!

This poem appeared as an advertisement in the 25 August 1906 issue of the Waikato Independent FLOWERS I have Adonis Flos, Balsam, Aster Betteridge’s Quilled, Anagallis, Bartonia Aurea, soon your garden will be filled; Canna,…

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The Charms of Cambridge

by G.M. Te Pahu – 13 November 1923 Exquisite and sweet, on an old rustic seat At the Domain, in Cambridge, at nine, Sat a young maid, in beauty arrayed – A picture – simply…

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Battle of the Range

by O’Murcadha – 10 August 1912 The New Zealand Mounted Rifles, camped at the Rifle Range, sent in their news item in verse. Staff-Sergeant-Major Coleman, the officer in command, Did rally on his warriors bold…

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An Appreciation of Cambridge

by C R Temperley Cambridge , 12 December 1912. An Appreciation of Cambridge As I wander through your valley, Many beauties rare to see, For dear old Cambridge is to me The prettiest spot I…

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A Parody

by E J A Ferguson, Cambridge, written in the context of the 1913 Watersider’s Strike From The Camp Gazette – 3 December 1913 Not understood, we move along asunder, Our paths grow wider as the…

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