HISTORY IN PICTURES

Waikato Independent, Volume XL, Issue 3761, 23 September 1940, Page 4

HISTORY IN PICTURES

CAMBRIDGE 50 YEARS AGO PHOTOS AT TE AWAMUTU Among the Te Awamutu Historical Society's fine collection of records relating to various parts of the Waikato, is a very interesting series of photographs of Cambridge, some of which were taken forty or fifty years ago. In view of the recent completion of the new bridge over the Karapiro Creek, one is of particular interest. Taken from the top of the Duke Street Hill, it shows the old wooden bridge over the creek- in the foreground, with . the river beyond, spanned by the wooden bridge which was ultimately replaced by the High Level Bridge. The bank opposite the wharf was then bare of trees, and the old cart track running from the water's edge, where the punts Used to land their fares, up towards Leamington, can be plainly seen. Poplars along the road by the Cambridge golf links can be clearly distinguished, but they are only a fraction of their present height. Buggy Tracks Prominent Another view shows Empire Street, looking towards the site of the present Post Office,, then occupied by wooden buildings. On the left is the Farmers' Club-rooms. The section diagonally opposite, now occupied by the Power Board Building, had not then been built on. Buggy wheel-tracks are very plainly marked on the road surface in the foreground. A horse-drawn waggonette, piled with bags and bales, being driven along the Hamilton - Cambridge Road, forms the subject of another picture. The vehicle, driver and horses are reflected in a long pool of water by the roadside. Australian "gum' 1 trees border the road on either side. Mr Seddon's Visit The visit of the Premier, Mr Seddon, is recorded in another photo, taken in the Domain. The official party can be seen in the centre of a square formed by the spectators. A noticeable feature is the very small size of the trees, many of which apparently had not long been planted. The picture was taken from about where the band rotunda stands today. The whole of St. Andrew's Church and Trinity Church can be plainly seen. Today only the spire of St. Andrew's is visible from the same angle. In the foreground are many of the young people of Cambridge of those days. Girls with long hair streaming down their backs and wearing the plain, round straw hats which were fashionable thirty or forty years ago are well in evidence. Bowling Personalities Three pictures on the bowling green are also included in the collection. One, a group, shows a Cambridge and visiting Thames team. Among the local players can be recognised several well-known faces, among them being those of Messrs Thomas Wells, George E. Clark, W. F. Buckland, F. OToole, Martin McDermott and T. F. Richards. There is another general view showing play in progress, and a close-up of a match, showing Messrs James Hally, Sam Cowling, W. McFarlane and J. Rivers on the green.