May 1906

'Mrs Elizabeth McKenzie, relict of the late Captain Murdoch McKenzie, passed away peacefully yesterday at the residence of her son in law (Mr R J Roberts). The deceased had been bedridden for 16 months past, and considering her advanced age her demise was expected at any moment.'
F C Bunyard, the borough engineer, reported that over the last year water consumed per head of population (1,000 basis) per day was 15.6 gallons. Total water pumped for the year was 5,710,500 gallons.
The Government engineer favoured the site of the Public Hall (corner Victoria and Duke Streets) for the new Post Office.
Mr and Mrs J Gallagher of the Criterion Hotel were given a banquet by their friends on their departure to Pukekohe. (About forty persons sat down to a repast of 25 dishes, 'Reflecting the greatest credit on Mrs Gallagher's able management. 'The Chairman said that Mr and Mrs Gallagher's hospitality was unbounded. Visitors had always been treated with the greatest kindness, and were always made to feel at home. (Hear, hear and applause.)

With the coming of the winter months, so began the Winter Socials by the St Andrews church and the Band of Hope. The men also held a Smoke Concert in the St Andrew's schoolroom.
Mr Gow, stationmaster, reported that the Railway Department had decided that the station known as 'Tamahere', between Cambridge and Hamilton, would in future be called 'Matangi'.
Mr Daniel Caley, a well-known settler of Pukerimu, sustained a fractured leg owing to a kick from a horse. Strange to say, just a year ago to the day, Mr Caley received a similar injury, being kicked by the same horse.
The Cambridge Primary School roll had fallen below 200 the previous term and they lost one of their teachers, Miss Piggott. The new term saw the roll over 200 and Miss Piggott was sorely missed. The parents asked for quarterly reports on their children; doormats would be provided 'if the headmaster did not object'; the committee would inspect the school every month; and the grass tennis court was to be converted to sand.

A bittern, found in a dazed condition, was captured in Duke Street. It was destroyed and stuffed by Mr B Ruge who then displayed it in his window.
Mr Jared Allwill of Hautapu did quite a good trade in the manufacture of port wine. 'This year Mr Allwill made over eleven hundred gallons, and connoisseurs are of the opinion that the quality of the wine is fully equal to that of the imported article.'
Moving the saleyards from the centre of town (where the Town Hall is today) was hotly discussed through the newspaper. The proprietor of the National Hotel would lose £500 a year in trade. The business community liked the sales in town but the yards were an eyesore and they were not happy with the unsanitary conditions. The Chamber of Commerce recommended the Carters Flat site. The Auctioneering firms preferred the Show Grounds site. The discussion at the Borough Council meeting was stormy and the subject was to be put to a public poll.
Te Waikato Sanatorium inmates were entertained by a party of vocalists and the Public Health department refused to have the telephone connected.

G W Venables resigned from the Borough Council and James Taylor was nominated by James Hally and G E Clark. C Channing Buckland put his name forward for the Buckland 'camp'.
Mr H Jeffries, the Postmaster, reported that the Post Office at Pukerimu had re-opened and the name of the Fencourt post office was changed to Bruntwood.
Builders, Potts and Hardy of Cambridge secured the contract at £528 to build the Hamilton Baptist church.
A number of ladies took up the matter of raising funds for a new library. The Library Trustees were not inclined to make a piteous appeal to Andrew Carnegie, as citizens in adjoining towns had done.
Empire Day was observed in Cambridge on 24 May by closing the Banks and the State School. The weekly half holiday (usually taken on Wednesday) was moved to Thursday and a large number of the local Mounted Rifles competed in the Military tournament in Hamilton. This included running races and a Ladies Pea Rifle contest.

Reginald Pyke, son of late Hon. Vincent Pyke bought the Waikato Independent from the founder David Pirani, as well as Venables Printing establishment.
The census showed that Taotaoroa had increased in population from 98 in 1901 to 151.
The Waikato Hunt met at the Fencourt creamery. 'Some capital runs took place and followers had an enjoyable day's sport. There were a number of spills but no serious mishaps occurred. A capital chase ensued over Messrs Crisp's, Qualtrough's, Brown's and Swayne's properties, puss being eventually killed in the homestead swamp.'
W F Buckland held a public meeting to reiterate his plans of moving the Sale Yards and his support of his son for council. A resolution included - 'That this meeting of citizens desires to express its appreciation of the Mayor's public spiritedness and valuable services in introducing measures calculated to permanently advance the interests of the town and surrounding district.' and 'Commend the candidature of Mr C C Buckland to the most favourable consideration of the ratepayers.'

 

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