Meghan Hawkes looks back at what was making Waipā headlines in 1913.
Te Awamutu runners up for the polo Savile Cup
Local heart throbs, the Te Awamutu polo players, competed in the New Zealand polo tournament at Palmerston North.
The Savile Cup challenge was the star attraction and was played between Gisborne and Te Awamutu who were described as hard riding players who had won many female hearts by their dare-devil play.
A considerable number of ardent club supporters, with a fair percentage of ladies, accompanied the teams.
The ground was in excellent condition, the weather delightful, and the attendance large and fashionable.
Despite Te Awamutu’s swashbuckling status, they were beaten by Gisborne at all points of the game.
Mr Reilly’s plans to move the Harapepe post office to his house outraged a resident.
The Harapepe Post Office had been in its present position for 47 years and had served the district with satisfaction. It would be nothing short of a scandal to have it removed to Mr Reilly’s house, as it would take it from the Te Rore end and dump it down within a stone’s throw of the Te Pahu Post Office.
The Te Pahu Post Office was established beside the Harapepe creamery, as most settlers went there of a morning and could do their mail business.
The idea was an absurdity. Mr Reilly only wanted the post office to operate from his house because the Harapepe mail carrier refused to run about Te Pahu and take his mail.
Why not, like a man, have his correspondence addressed to Harapepe? snorted the riled resident.
Ohaupo Post Office
Ōhaupō’s new post office* was a handsome affair of proportions and conveniences more fitting to the importance of the town as a residential, business and farming district.
The two storied structure was of a striking design, the top floor being devoted to living apartments for the postmaster and family, and the ground floor to the requirements of the Department’s service.
The building featured a private box lobby, a postmaster’s room, a mailroom, a telephone room, a strong-room and a sound-proof telephone bureau finished in hydrated lime plaster.
The top floor consisted of six rooms, bathroom, and all conveniences. The kitchen was fitted with a Scott’s Atlas range, with a hot and cold water service, and scullery adjoining.
The flooring and weatherboarding were of heart matai. The finishing’s were of heart rimu. The building featured a back outside staircase, giving separate entry to the living quarters.
The splendid structure was surrounded on three sides by a close boarded fence, with a picket fence in front.
At the Kihikihi Races a gentleman of somewhat aristocratic appearance, said to be related to the Maori royal family, was observed attired in a frock coat and top hat, no vest, and a dazzling pink shirt.
No collar adorned his neck, but attached to his collar band was a spotted blue tie of no plain design. His nether garments consisted of a pair of riding breeches, over the bottoms of which were pulled a pair of startling socks held in position by a pair of red suspenders.
Truly a wonderful sight swooned a spectator.
- Ōhaupō Post Office closed in February 1988 and moved to Airport Road in Tamahere where it is now used as a retreat.
