May 1907

The North Island Egg Laying Competition received 76 entries (500 hens) from Whangarei to Wellington. This competition was run in Cambridge on Carters Flat - nicknamed 'Egg Flat'. There were prizes for tests in Winter, Summer, the Moulting Season, monthly and yearly with prizes of over £50.
The Municipal Gasworks were beginning to light up Cambridge as the Alexandra Hall (owned by C Boyce) was lit with 700 candle power Aurora arc lamps and had a gas stove installed. Fifteen businesses were lighted for the first time on Saturday evening. The Borough Chambers were lit on 25 April when the Councillors were reminded that it was only due to the untiring efforts of the Mayor (W F Buckland) that they had a municipal gasworks. Mr F C Bunyard, the borough engineer, was also thanked for his faithfulness and indefatigable energy.
A small boy named Adams fell off the school swing and broke his wrist. Jack Reynolds was kicked in his eye by a horse. A little girl named Hilda Cornfoot fell from a tree and broke her arm. Mr Atkinson's horse shied and fell breaking Atkinson's left collarbone.

The Fête committee, raising money for the Chiming Clock fund were allowed to charge people to enter Victoria Square. One shilling adults and sixpence for children. The procession marshalled by W R C Walker had Cadets, a Gypsy caravan, 2 decorated gigs, 13 bicycles, 14 go-carts and perambulators, 20 ponies, 9 children's pets, 15 movable floral designs, 14 fancy costumes and 12 ladies dressed as advertisements. The fête raised £115.
The official opening of the Gas Works were performed at this fête. 'His Worship (Mayor Buckland) stepped from the impromptu platform from which he was speaking, and advanced towards the pole in the centre of the tent, from which hung two large double-burner arc lamps, and turned on the gas. (Applause)'.
Rigby and Warren - architects - were calling for tenders for the Club House (Cambridge Club). Geo Clark and Sons (Land Agents) were advertising sections on the 'Waterside Estate' at £10 deposit, £5 in six months time, £5 in twelve months time, £5 in eighteen months time. Balance can remain for three years on 5% interest.

Fred Potts' tender of £664 was accepted for building the Cambridge Club.
G M Fraser, contractor, was beginning the excavations for the high level bridge.
Local shooting parties had been successful with Mr J Tucker securing 6 brace of pheasants, Mr E Souter 12 brace of ducks and Strawbridge and Hicks getting good bags.
W R McVeagh was under the floor of the Arnolds' butchery engaged in installing the gas. He lit a candle to see, forgetting that the gaspipe was not plugged. The fire brigade was quickly on the scene before much damage was done. 43 people had been connected to the gas and another 21 residents were on the waiting list.
J.A.C. reminisces - 'A rambling wilderness of scrub and bush, has now, memories that our fathers brought with them. Rows of oaks and elms interspersed with graceful birch, line the road sides whichever way one looks around the town. Thus the early settlers who cleared and broke the virgin soil, planted their memories so as to still live in familiar surroundings.'

The Waikato Hounds were out hunting for a new season - last week Hautapu and this week Bruntwood. After killing two hares, the third - 'After giving a fast twenty minute the hare was lost in the gully, and as everyone was more than satisfied with the day's sport and the shades of the evening were drawing in, the order was to whip off.'
The Chamber of Commerce met and reported on telephone communication with Hamilton, the chiming clock, getting Cambridge to be the chief polling place for the Tauranga electorate, the Egg Laying Competition and opening up native lands.
T B Hill wrote singing the praises of the 5000 Club, who published the Cambridge promotion booklet, and the work of Tom Wells. He also remembered visiting Pukekura Redoubt when he supplied the troops with medicine during the military days.
Miss Effie Willis, who was about to be married to John B Lusk, received a large number of gifts from the St Andrews parishioners. In thanks, Archdeacon Willis made a happy little speech on behalf of his daughter.

A photograph was taken of the first load of steel arriving by rail for the high level bridge. Mr William Vickers had the contract for unloading and carting the material to the bridge site. £1500 for the £3000 government subsidy also arrived.
The works committee recommended that the trees in Hall Street be taken up from the centre of the street and planted 10 feet from either footpath on each side of the street.
A new pound was established at the saleyards and the poundkeeper, William Hobbs, was given a free house and kept the fees - one shilling per animal. He also had to keep the saleyards clean.
Mr R Peake, who not long since had topped the market for Lincoln rams at the Ohaupo ram fair, sent 20 rams bred on the sunny slopes of Pukekura, to a breeder in Stratford.
A petition to the Cambridge Road Board signed by J D P Morgan, W H Parr, R F Thomas, C H Hargreaves and John Browne asked for all obstructions to be taken off the road near the Waikato River at Tamahere.

 

 

Back

 

Site Feedback
We value your feedback. If you have any suggestions on how this site can be improved, or if you have any technical issues with this site, please let us know.

Disclaimer:
While all due care has been taken to verify information contained on this site, the Cambridge Museum accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or misrepresentation.

Copyright © 2003 - Cambridge Museum - All Rights Reserved.