Mangapiko River, 1902
As Mr Coggins was walking home from Te Awamutu to Ōhaupō he fell through the railway bridge into the Mangapiko River.
A bend in the Mangapiko River, 1902
He was carried downstream a short distance but managed to grab an overhanging willow. The current was very strong and the willow broke, and he was washed on to a second tree, to which he clung. His cries attracted the attention of the Reverend Entrican who assisted him to land. Mr Coggins then made for Mr Hampton’s at Ngaroto, and Mr Hamilton conveyed him home
The Government Inspector of Machinery, in examining the boiler at the Paterangi creamery, discovered a crack in a place very difficult to get at. It was fortunate the discovery was made as an explosion might have occurred at any time with probable loss of life. The boiler was at once condemned to undergo repairs and sent to Auckland. A portable engine was placed outside the creamery and used to run the machinery. Suppliers had to travel to Ōhaupō or Pirongia with their milk.
It had been many years since the music of the hounds and the horn had been heard in Te Awamutu, but a visit from the Waikato hounds changed that. The rendezvous was the fine estate of Pat O’Connor, close to Te Awamutu. It was ideal hunting country with rolling hills and flats stretching down to the Pūnui River. Punctually at 11 o’clock Mr Selby arrived with the pack, by which time quite a number of sports from the neighbourhood had gathered. Mr O’Connor, in his well-known hearty style, invited the sports inside, where a sumptuous hunt breakfast was laid. A few spills occurred during the day but only of sufficient severity to make the fallen ones keener. Several paddocks were drawn blank, but after some little time hares were found and the hounds in hot pursuit. In the evening Mr Laurie, host of the Te Awamutu Hotel, exuberantly entertained the hunters at a spread, winding up one of the most pleasant days of the season.
The licensee of Kihikihi’s Star Hotel was charged with a breach of the Licensing Act by allowing the casting of dice on the premises. The charge was the outcome of a raffle for a sheep which took place in the hotel. The animal was originally won at a church bazaar by Mr Morrison through a guessing competition, and he took it to the hotel and raffled it. Mr Morrison had been charged previously with a breach of the Gaming and Lotteries Act, but he didn’t appear at court, nor had he been found since. Mr Ricket, builder, the winner of the sheep in the hotel raffle, gave evidence as to the raffle taking place in the hotel and the throwing of dice. The licensee was charged with ‘suffering an illegal game’ and fined.
