Meghan Hawkes takes us back to 1937 for a look at what was in the Waipa news.
Alexandra St, te Awamutu
At Burchell’s store, Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu, specially made and ready-to-wear suits of good quality and perfect fit fashioned by tailors who were previously employed on hand-made garments were on sale.
The men’s outfitter and footwear specialist next to the Post Office also offered sports trousers, blazers, sports coats, bathing costumes, beach shorts, shirts and pyjamas. Their footwear department was well stocked with bowling shoes, tennis shoes, and men’s light and heavy boots.
Alexandra Street was also home to Clark and McMillan’s who encouraged the freshening of the home with new curtains and general furnishings in clean, new and appealing ideas, promising an atmosphere of charm and change. F D Chunn, a direct importer, had available wallpaper, paints, leads, glass, joinery, wallboard, and ceiling plaster. The wallpapers came in new designs with modern and futuristic effects.
Shopper’s treats were to be found at Sherwood’s, fruitier and confectioner, who, along with their own special sugary mixtures, supplied Caley’s Silver Gull chocolate assortment – described as rare and wonderful.
Main Street – Alexandra Street, Te Awamutu. Photo: F.J. Gilbert.
A splendid advertisement for the Paterangi district was the success of Mr S A Rhodes, farmer, who won the Fletcher Cup for fat lambs exhibited at the Auckland A & P Show. The achievement was a highly meritorious one, especially coming as it did after his previous successes – he had already won the cup six times. Being a good farmer with excellent land and high quality stock were the secrets of his success.
At Mangapiko Californian thistle had become a pest. A peculiar feature of the plant was that on one farm the thistle crowded out the grass pasture while on adjoining farms the thistle was “as scarce as sovereigns,” as one farmer remarked. However, on Mr Dudley’s farm the thistle seemed to have become infected with a blight that was withering the stems. The nature of the blight had not been determined, but its effectiveness was undoubted.
The Hairini Table Tennis and Social Club held its official opening in the Hairini Hall and a large number of visitors from neighbouring clubs combined with the local players made the function a great success. A most enjoyable tournament was held between teams. Full advantage was taken of the new and well appointed supper room, a cosy log fire proving very popular. Games of bobs and quoits were played with great enthusiasm, and cards and draughts were also played. After a delightful supper was served by the local ladies, dancing commenced, the music being supplied by a gramophone with electric amplifier.
Mr Mellars, of Morrinsville, Piako County dog registrar, lost a hack which he had bought at a horse sale a short time before. After spending several pounds in advertising his loss, Mr Mellars heard that the hack had arrived at Te Rore. The roving horse was thought to have been making its way back home when it took a wrong turning and got confused by the numerous side roads.
Alexandra St, Te Awamutu 1937
