August 1905

Pearson was acquitted of rape and some people applauded. At the Sunday service at St Andrews the Vicar reminded the congregation that two previous Judges were convinced that the jury was wrong and that the complainant and family warranted the sympathy and prayer of the congregation.
Mr F B Ruge's skills as a taxidermist were displayed in a collection of birds including kiwis, cuckoos, tuis, kingfishers and other members of the feathered tribe.
A heated debate was on at the A & P Association as to whether or not the side saddle should be prohibited. The Horse Committee recommended in favour, for girls up to 15 years old, as it was safer. It was urged that the side saddle was altogether unnatural and constrained. Dr Levinge and others however, protested against such a revolution and that the side saddle was far more graceful and dignified. "If we prohibit the side saddle for girls we might soon be prohibiting for ladies". And the old fashioned idea remained in favour.
Mrs Robinson, on her way home from work at Tudehopes' store, fell over a cow which was lying on the footpath in Clare Street.

Mr Jas Peppercorn announced that the price of milk was reduced to 3d per quart.
D Squadron, Waikato Mounted Rifles held their sixth annual ball with close on 300 people present. The interior of the Alexandra Hall was decorated with evergreens, bunting, mirrors and shields "enhancing the animated and picturesque spectacle of the ballroom". The supper was in a large marquee and the ladies "expeditiously attended to the living mass of humanity". There was also a second marquee where tired dancers could rest. "The majority of dancers kept pacing it merrily until close upon daylight".
It was found that when the telegraph pole was replaced in front of the Post Office, the step used by ladies for remounting their horses was thoughtlessly taken away. "If the Postmaster replaced the step, he would earn the undying gratitude of the numerous horsewomen in this district".
W N Sturges of Kaipaki, Coates Bros of Roto-o-Rangi, Hay Bros of Maungatautari and Geo Watt of Hautapu had milking machines installed on their farms.
Souter & Co had the new 'Onward Hall' built in Duke Street and C Boyce enlarged the Alexandra Hall.

Settlers turned out in large numbers to a working bee to improve the school grounds at Maungatautari. The ground was cleared of fern and ti-tree and then ploughed and levelled. A number of shelter trees were planted and securely fenced and wire netting provided for the vegetable garden as rabbits wiped out the last year's efforts.
The Musical Society practiced weekly for their upcoming operatic cantata 'Sherwood's Queen'. The Cambridge Dramatic Society were practising for 'The Belt of Diamonds', the Comedy Society were practising for 'Betsy'.
The young men of Cambridge West organised a social and dance in the Alexandra Hall and a footballers dance was held a few nights later. Both a great success. The Pukerimu Church building couldn't hold the gathering brought together for a concert. The Women's Christian Temperance Union meeting agreed to continue with Band of Hope work in the district.
At the Anglican Archidiaconal Conference held in Cambridge, a paper was read on 'The Sacredness of the Marriage Tie' because of the growing laxity in the matter and legislation had just widened the grounds of divorce.

The Cambridge Comedy Society's performance 'Betsy' was staged in aid of the uniform fund for the No. 3 Waikato Mounted Rifles D Squadron. There was scarcely a dull moment during the performance and at times the audience fairly shrieked with laughter.
The Maungatautari correspondent wrote that Mr and Mrs C H Cooper entertained a large number friends at a social in the schoolroom - "If I have to report the uncourtly mishap of dancers falling en masse, it only testifies to the excellent condition of the floor".
At the golf links, the competition for the Ladies' Driving competition was won by Miss Jessie Brooks with 116 yards and Miss Kath Willis second with 115 yards.
Mr Thomas Wells, who had just retired from public life, was presented with a purse of 150 sovereigns. He bought himself a gold watch and handed the remainder to his wife.
Cambridge Borough Council framed stringent by-laws to prevent consumptives living in Cambridge hotels and boarding houses.
The Postal Department supplied the Letter Carrier with a bicycle to ensure a more prompt delivery of correspondence in the Borough.

The latest addition to the Telephone Exchange is No. 38, Archdeacon Willis.
Mr Bockhart's 15 horse-power Darracq motor car passed through Cambridge on a tour from Auckland to Bluff.
All that remained of the old Maori settlement of Rawehitiki was a meeting house, capable of seating 500 people and a number of deserted whares. This was the Maori Parliament of the 1890s and where the newspaper Te Paki o Matariki was published.
'Street Loungers' amused themselves in slaying an army of fat rats, as Mr C Roberts' butcher shop was demolished in Victoria Street.
James E Fulton, engineer submitted his draft plans on the high level bridge to Council, supporting the cantilever type bridge.
Miss May Stewart, handsomely attired in a pretty grey voile dress and cream chiffon hat trimmed with ostrich feather, married Mr Jas Pyne. Miss Sarah Ritchie, who looked charming in a dress of blue cloth and hat to match, married Mr Robert Newcombe. Miss Mercy Chester, tastefully attired in a cream cashmere costume and the usual veil, married Mr Charles Denton.

 

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