part I was down and in bed for 9 days. I was in hopes of escaping but was attending to duties in the House during the day and nursing influenza patients at night. I had been up for three nights in succession and then went down. My temperature did not go Above: An official health poster of 1919 argues beyond 103, and I came through that alcoholic stimulants are the most useful without any complications, save remedy in the primary stages of the influenza for feeling very weak. However, I outbreak, and warns the public about the am glad to say that I am now back efforts of prohibitionists to ban alcohol. to normal. I had a chat to Hickey and I suggested to him that he send you along a few pars just to indicate to you the quality of his work in the meantime, until such Above: J.A. Young, Member of Parliament MP time as you were ready to engage for Waikato. ANGUISHED him definitely. I was sorry to see by the press BY and from information which has reached me from Te Awamutu EPIDEMIC that you have had a most CRIME, unfortunate and sad experience No doubt there were many letters, at Te Awamutu. It has been ALIVE AND telegrams and notes passed up and down pretty well the same everywhere. the nation as the flu epidemic ravaged cities Splendid fellows went down WELL and rural areas alike across New Zealand, right and left. People simply died leaving in its short-lived wake a trail of wholesale here in Wellington. It Crime, it seems, was as problem in the death, tragedy, the destruction of homes was not an unusual sight to see Waipā region even a century ago – but and businesses, and a national anguish two and three coffins in a hearse perhaps the level of criminal activity and that would take years to overcome. on their way to the cemetery. the crimes themselves were not quite up When I read the lists of names to today’s standards. Among the many archived documents in the Waipa Post and Waikato in the Te Awamutu Museum, there In the Waipa Post of January 4, 1918, Times of so many who I knew so is a poignant letter from the Member a small report records the numbers of well as having gone down before of Parliament for Waikato, Mr J.A. criminal offences for the previous year, the epidemic, I had to wipe a tear Young, to a prominent businessman and and compares them to crime levels of from my eyes. However, I am glad newspaper owner in Te Awamutu, Mr just before the outbreak of World War to say things are back to normal Warburton. e letter is hand-written on One in 1914. With substantial use of here, and I hope by now you have N.Z. House of Representatives letterhead major and minor headings, all in capital pretty well cleared out the dread paper in fountain-pen ink, and came as letters which was typical of the day, the thing in your districts. the epidemic was on the wane. newspaper reports: I enclose you some stuff which Wellington may be useful. 3.12.18 MAGISTRATE’S Trusting you are keeping well, COURT. ANNUAL and with kind regards, Dear Mr Warburton, SUMMARY AT It is just close on midnight and we Yours sincerely, TE AWAMUTU. are in committee on the Licensing J.A. Young. Amendment Bill and I expect CRIMINAL we will be lucky to get home by P.S. 5.12.18. We finished up OFFENCES daylight. is note, however, is to at 3.30 o’clock this morning. I INCREASE. express the hope that you have expect the session will end about escaped all serious consequences Saturday. J.A.Y. DECREASE IN of the influenza epidemic. For my CIVIL CLAIMS.

Page 52 Waipā – 150 years It then says that the “annual return of Ngāti Maniapoto leaders to open up the about $250 million. e overall effect of cases” brought before the Te Awamutu King Country to railway development. the project was greatly undermined by Magistrate’s Court for 1917 “shows a the fall of the price of oil in the 1980s and very substantial increase in the criminal On 15 April 1885, Premier Robert Stout the deregulation of land transport, which prosecutions” in comparison to 1913. and Ngāti Maniapoto chiefs Wahanui removed the long-distance monopoly In fact, there were 100 criminal cases – Huatare, Taonui Hikākā and Rewi New Zealand Rail held when the cost but that was an increase of 17 compared Maniapoto ceremonially turned the first benefits report was written. with 1916, and 40 more than the year sod of the central section on the south before the war began. side of the Puniu bridge, just south of Te Awamutu. Of those 100 cases, six men were committed for trial, 90 were summarily But the sod nearly wasn’t turned on convicted, and three were dismissed. A the day. e three Ngāti Maniapoto lone woman was summarily convicted. chiefs all agreed to the turning, but the Waikatos sent two chiefs to protest “Drunkenness accounted for 30 of the against the work in the name of the prosecutions last year,” notes the report. Māori King, whose headquarters Above: e passengers who travelled on the ere had been 29 similar offences in were then at Whatiwhatihoe on the first Main Trunk train in 1908. Sir Joseph 1916, and 26 in 1914. And, the report Waipā. Long speeches followed, each Ward is centre left. continues, “last year 13 Europeans were translated into English. e only one charged with supplying liquor to natives; who remained silent was Wahanui who there were no prosecutions under this was trying to suppress his anger. At last Pirongia-Te heading in 1916, or in 1914. ere was one of the Waikato chiefs, regardless of a very fair proportion of offences of a the fact that his people were only in the Awamutu line more serious nature, one or two being of King Country by sufferance of Ngāti After the First World War, returned a revolting character.” Maniapoto, declared that the sod would servicemen in Pirongia came up with not be turned because it was Waikato’s However, civil claims had slumped in an ambitious plan to build a narrow- land! “Oh, well,” said the Premier, “if it gauged railway between Pirongia and 1917 to only 150, compared with 223 in is Waikato’s land, we have come to the 1916, and 222 in 1914. Te Awamutu. ey had observed wrong place.” en Taonui arose and narrow-gauged railways in operation in said with angry determination, “It is our Europe and wished to try the concept land; the sod shall be turned, and turned in the Waipā, linking river transport at today!” And it was done. Pirongia with rail transport on the Main e railway continued south from the Trunk Line. TE AWAMUTU Puniu River, with the line to Otorohanga e proposed network would eventually opening in March 1887, and to Te Kuiti link Kāwhia, Raglan and Frankton. Such BY RAIL in September of the same year. Since a transport system was predicted to be crossing the Puniu, the 680-kilometre cheaper and quicker than horse-drawn e concept of a main trunk railway Main Trunk Line took a further 23 years wagons over the roads of the day. between Auckland and Wellington had to be completed. e first Wellington- been talked about for some years before Auckland train, a “Parliament Special” On 29 April 1920, Pirongia gathered to construction began in the late 1870s. ferrying politicians north to meet the celebrate the launch of the project. With But progress came to a standstill at Te United States Navy’s visiting Great White flags and bunting decorating the centre Awamutu after the local station opened Fleet, passed through Te Awamutu on 7 of town, the crowd listened to speeches on 1 July 1880, as Te Rohe Potae (the August 1908, taking over 20 hours to by Bert Fear, Chairman of the Railway King Country) was then off-limits to complete the journey. e line would not League, and J.A. Young, Member of Europeans. For some years the completed be officially opened until 6 November of Parliament, who congratulated the line was called the Auckland and Te the same year. people for their enthusiasm and offered Awamutu Railway. e new Te Awamutu support. e plan included the building station contained a public vestibule, e 411-kilometre section of the Main of a station on public land in Franklin waiting rooms, and an office. It also had a Trunk Line between Palmerston North Street, about where the Historic Visitor long passenger platform and goods shed. and Hamilton, including the section Centre is today. e stationmaster was assisted by a junior through the Waipā, was electrified and porter and a guard, and two “gangers” opened for use in June 1988. It was one of However, the scheme did not prosper. resided in Te Awamutu. Muldoon’s National Government’s ink ere was local disagreement about the Big energy development projects. An exact route the line would take, and After seriously considering alternative overall cost in excess of $100 million had support waned as the country’s economic routes to Wellington, the Government been projected, with some 40% being for woes worsened, as well as road transport finally reached a vital agreement with new locomotives, but the final cost was becoming more mechanised.

Waipā – 150 years Page 53 Below: e Auckland and Te Awamutu e great Carbine, the first New Zealand Middy pulled him up and kept the lead Railway timetable, dated 1 July 1880. horse to win the Melbourne Cup, once to the end, winning by several lengths.” trained and pastured around Cambridge, and was shod by the MacMillan Brothers. Cambridge Cup: “is was the race of the day. Some splendid running was made, Clipper and the Don keeping Race days close company the whole distance. e last named horse won by about a neck. Horse racing has always proved a popular e Count was scratched.” pastime in Cambridge. In 1875 the Pony Race: “A protest was lodged by National Hotel held a sweepstake on the the owner of the third horse against the Melbourne Cup. It invited 200 punters first and second, on the grounds of over at 10 shillings per head for the draw. e height. Up to a late hour in the evening £100 prize money was divvied up: first no decision had been arrived at by the horse £50, second £25, third £10, and stewards.” the other starters received £15 between them. e draw was taken on Monday Hurry Scurry: “For this there was a large evening, 8 November, the day before number of horses entered, several being the great race. One of the conditions of owned and ridden by Māoris. Won by the sweep was that punters had to wait Stranger.” for a newspaper to arrive via ship from Australia to obtain the official results! In conjunction with the horse races, the public took part in foot races and field Horse race meets occurred at Alexandra events such as: pole vaulting, putting (now Pirongia) on Boxing Day, a stone (28 pounds, shot putting), hop, tradition still practised today, and at step and jump, long jump, standing Cambridge on New Year’s Day. jump, and standing high jump. Running races were from 100 to 440 yards. Like Cambridge celebrated New Year’s Day in the horse races, there were entry fees and 1876 at Bardowie, Victoria Road, owned generous prizes. Below: A welcoming party at Te Awamutu by James and Miranda Taylor. ere railway station, 1909. were six races on the card: Handicap Hurdle Race over 2 miles, over 8 flights of hurdles for 7 “sovs” (sovereigns); Foxbridge Maiden Race over 1¼ miles for 4 sovs Foxbridge, foaled in 1930, was – open to all horses that had never purchased in England in 1935 for won public money; Trotting Race over £2,625 and imported by Seton Otway 2 miles for 4 sovs; Cambridge Cup of Trelawney Stud, situated on the banks Handicap over 1½ miles for 10 sovs – of the Waikato River at Pukekura. is open to all comers; Pony Race over 1 remarkably consistent horse was New mile for 5 sovs; “Hurry Scurry” over 1 Zealand’s most successful sire and brood- mile for 2 sovs – also open to all horses mare sire for 11 consecutive seasons. BREEDING that had never won public money. Twice he was the British Empire’s Entry fees were 5 shillings except the champion sire. CHAMPIONS final race, which was half that amount. His female offspring were to produce Mr R. Parker was the handicapper along five Melbourne Cup winners: Hiraji, with Mr Charles Chitty, who was also Foxzami, Macdougal, Hi Jinx and Victoria the judge. Silver Knight. Foxbridge’s potency was Perhaps Cambridge’s first champion Some of the results were: illustrated at Ellerslie Racecourse on racehorse was Victoria, owned by Jared Boxing Day 1944, when his progeny Allwill, a pioneering farmer at Hautapu. Handicap Hurdles: “e race lay between won six races on an eight-race card. Victoria won the first racing cup Middy and Comet. e Stranger, having baulked at the second hurdle, was left out Otway was reputed to have the measure presented at the Auckland Racing Club of a fine horse. In his own judgement the at its first meeting in 1874, after the of the race. Both horses jumped very well and kept well together. Towards the close perfect filly had to have the “head and amalgamation of the Auckland Jockey neck of a fairy, the chest and shoulders of Club and the Auckland Turf Club, of the second round Comet put on spurt and passed Middy by several lengths, but a duchess, the back of an alderman and receiving £125 in prize money. Not the arse of a cook!” much more is known about the horse. at the first hurdle in the third round,

Page 54 Waipā – 150 years Other champions owned by Otway were Marco Polo II, Khorassan, Alcimedes and Walk of fame Nizami. He bred horses that won races in Australia, New Zealand, the United e thoroughbred studs around States, Japan, South Africa, England and Cambridge have produced many Malaysia. At the time, progeny from champion horses, which are celebrated Trelawney Stud made New Zealand’s in the town’s Equine Stars Walk of Fame. National Yearling Sales a popular Mosaics in the pavements of the central destination for international buyers. streets include brood mare Eight Carat, racehorse Mainbrace, trotter Jenner, Suffering from rheumatism, Foxbridge double Olympic equestrian champion was put down in 1957 and was buried in Charisma, steeplechaser Hunterville Above: Sir Tristram gained a reputation as a a flower-ringed grave between Trelawney and sire Sir Tristram. Others include sire of sires. Stud’s homestead and stables. Otway Zabeel, Young Quinn, Vice Regal and retained an interest in the stud until his Balmarino. Each of the mosaics has a death in 1989, at the age of 94 years. small plaque giving name and career details. For horse lovers there is also the Foxbridge was inducted into the New magnificent bronze statue of a mare and Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2008. foal placed alongside the Cambridge Town Hall. Sir Tristram Born 1971, Sir Tristram was an Irish- Women take the lead bred thoroughbred racehorse who Canadian jockey Joanne Phipps was stood at Sir Patrick Hogan’s Cambridge the first woman to ride against men in Above: Linda Jones, New Zealand’s Stud, where he sired an incredible New Zealand, winning on Daphalee at 45 group one winners, including trailblazing female jockey who rode with the Waipa Racing Club at Te Awamutu outstanding skill. three Melbourne Cup winners. His on 1 November 1977. Linda Jones of progeny earned him 17 official leading Cambridge made her racing debut in Australasian sire premierships, plus 1978, after the birth of her daughter nine broodmare sire titles. Clare, and it was not long before she Following his racing career, Sir Tristram rode her first winner, Big Bikkies. OUR FINEST was purchased by Hogan and commenced Most New Zealanders will remember stud duties in 1976 at the modest stud the battle Linda had to be on an equal AGRICULTURE fee of $1,200. By the time of his death footing with male jockeys. e New his fee had risen to $200,000. “Paddy”, Zealand Racing Conference came up ON SHOW as he was affectionately known, had a with a tirade of feeble excuses why she reputation as a difficult horse to handle. couldn’t compete – too old, married, not When the first farms were established In fact, he was so difficult that his handler strong enough were just some. However, in the Waipa district, the land was was forced to wear protective gear, which Linda persisted and finally won the right mainly suited to raising cattle, with remains on display at Cambridge Stud. to compete in 1977, becoming New most homesteads possessing small Zealand’s first professional female jockey. numbers of dairy cows and sheep for Sir Tristram is the sire of over 140 stakes household supply. winners, including the Melbourne Cup By the end of her first racing season, winners Gurner’s Lane, Empire Rose Linda had ridden 49 winners, far e first recorded Waikato show was and Brew. He is also the broodmare sire exceeding her expectations. Amongst held at Ōhaupo in 1876. e Waikato of over 200 stakes winners, including her wins were the Wellington Derby on Farmers’ Club held Waikato’s first the Melbourne Cup winners Saintly Holy Toledo, and the West End Stakes at annual show the following year. e and Ethereal, and has earned himself a Morphetville, Adelaide, on Northfleet, club was formed in Cambridge in 1875 reputation as a sire of sires. representing the first win by a female to advance the development of local jockey in Australia. Although her career agriculture. It was a common meeting Sadly, the great Sir Tristram dynasty came was cut short by injury, Linda will always ground for new ideas, with discussion to an end in August 1997, when he was be remembered for her tenacity and for on such subjects as wheat growing, new put down after breaking a shoulder in his paving the way for women to compete machinery, sheep diseases, wire fencing, paddock. As with many legendary horses in a male-dominated industry. She was milking hygiene, swamp drainage, tree in the past, he was buried standing up. awarded the MBE for her achievements planting, manures and markets. e He was inducted into the New Zealand and her contribution to the New Zealand members also inspected farms and held Racing Hall of Fame in 2008. horse racing industry. regular ploughing competitions.

Waipā – 150 years Page 55 eir club house was built on the corner of Alpha and Empire Streets (later the Cambridge RSA clubrooms), consisting of a library, lecture room, smoking room and two committee rooms. eir first show was held in an adjacent paddock, roughly where the Countdown Supermarket is today, drawing a crowd in excess of 1,000 people. Many of the visitors came up the river by steamer. e Waikato Times reported: “ere were numerous exhibits of stock, dairy produce and implements. Among the sheep were some fine Lincolns exhibited Above: Cambridge’s finest agriculture on by Mr McNicol and Maclean and Co. For some years an annual show rotated show in 1906. Fine Shorthorns were shown by H. and between Cambridge, Hamilton and Te R. Reynolds and E.B. Walker. ere Awamutu, until Cambridge broke away were good entries of draughts and other in 1903 and formed the Waikato Central Agricultural Association, maintaining e wide range of classes at the show horses, the best exhibit being Mr Martyn’s a wider provincial name. Over the included: cattle, horses and ponies team of three draughts. Exhibits of pigs following years the Cambridge-own (including numerous equestrian events), were numerous. ere was good display A&P (agricultural and pastoral) show sheep and lambs, pigs, dog trials, calf of dairy produce, with butter moulded quickly grew in popularity. ere were club, wool, field and garden produce, into fancy shapes, cheese and hams.” large entries of harness horses, roadsters, fruit, flowers, and home industries At the time, leading Cambridge farmers hacks and hunters, pedigree cattle and (bread, cakes, scones, jams, preserves, included: Every Maclean of the Auckland sheep. In those days the show was held jellies, sweets). ere were even some Agricultural Company, which owned over two days. classes of school work judged, such as nearly 30,000 acres of “Fen Court” letter writing, mapping, drawing and Because of a polio epidemic, there was (“fen” meaning wetland in Scottish painting. no show in 1905, and during the First Gaelic), Horahora and Karāpiro; World War the show nearly went out of For the duration of the Second World James Runciman of Newstead; Francis existence. Also in 1905, the association War the show went into recess, returning Hicks of Pukekura; A.A. Fantham of entered an arrangement with the local in 1945 as a one-day fixture. Since “Gwynnelands” (about where St Peter’s trotting club which took over the lease then the show has been held annually School is today); G.E. Clark of Pukeroro; of the showgrounds in Taylor Street, and has always been popular with the John and Robert Fisher of Pukerimu; providing the association with the use Cambridge public. W.L. Martyn of Tamahere; R.H.D. of the grounds for the duration of its Fergusson of “Gorton”, Karāpiro; E.B. annual show, and storage facilities. Walker and Richard Parker of Monavale; Richard and Henry Reynolds of Even with the difficult farming Pukekura; Henry Buttle of Ōhaupo. conditions experienced during the Great Depression, the show still proved By 1881 the club was in financial popular during the 1930s. One typical difficulties and lacked enthusiasm. e show is this period was held on 31 March secretary-treasurer moved, “at the 1934. e Cambridge Independent Waikato Farmers’ Club cease to exist, commented: “e Waikato Central and the clubrooms plus the three acres Agricultural Association’s 31st annual adjoining be disposed off.” It was sold show which opened in the showgrounds to Tom Wells. But it seems the club was yesterday and is being continued today Above: “e grand parade. Just what the rejuvenated on 23 June 1889, with a (People’s Day), may be rightly claimed Central Waikato [Agricultural Association] Cambridge branch being established to be a challenge to the times, with its is capable of producing in the shape of cattle in 1891, eventually operating from the numerous and representative entries and and horses was strikingly conveyed to the property on the corner of Duke and the outstanding quality of the stock that public in the grand parade. It was a fine Commerce Streets. In 1913 the club is being exhibited.” aggregation of the cream of quality stock in became a branch of the New Zealand this and neighbouring districts, and as the Farmers’ Union, which joined a new respective judges remarked, there was stock organisation, Federated Farmers, in 1945. present fit to grace any show ring in the Dominion.” (Waikato Independent.)

Page 56 Waipā – 150 years Broadhurst engaged Ivan McKinnon, a nurseryman, to lay out the playing fields, orchids and gardens. McKinnon retired after 25 years’ service as orchardist and head gardener. St Peter’s School was opened in 1936 by the Hon. Peter Fraser, Minister of Education. Over 800 guests were present. Above: Judges at work at the Cambridge Initially there were seven full-time staff A&P show, 1928. and a roll of just 35 boy boarders. ree years later Broadhurst gifted the school, built entirely with his own money, to ‘TALKIES’ the St Peter’s School Trust Board, but remained at the school as headmaster COME TO until his retirement in 1960. Over his 25 years of service, Broadhurst never took TOWN a salary. It was said that Broadhurst periodically A Double Above: Movie poster for Dinner at Eight. led a cyclecade of grey-and-blue uniformed boys through Cambridge Programme on excursions. Each boy, down to the smallest at the rear, would punctiliously ‘Dinner at Eight’ hold out his arm in precise traffic coming signals, mimicking the example of his IN A CLASS headmaster up front. Reported in the Waikato Independent in March 1934: “Two of the screen’s OF ITS OWN e School crest incorporates Athene’s most popular blonde actresses have the Owl of Wisdom holding St Peter’s keys: leading roles in ‘Goodbye Again,’ the the key of life and the key of knowledge, First Picturisation of the Broadway stage St Peter’s School above the motto “Structa Saxo” (built comedy which comes to the screen of the on a rock). e development of the [Cambridge] Town Hall eatre tonight Arthur Broadhurst, a Scotsman, wanted whole person, the body, mind and and tomorrow night. e two blondes, to built a modern preparatory school in spirit, was Broadhurst’s philosophy. His each of whom vie for Warren William’s New Zealand and selected Cambridge innovative teaching practices were later affections in this hilarious comedy, are for the site, as the town’s setting to earn him an OBE for services to New Joan Blondell and Genevieve Tobin. In reminded him of England. He chose Zealand education. addition, the cast features Hugh Herbert, the 90-acre (40-hectare) Gwynnelands Helen Chandler, Wallace Ford and Ruth estate just out of town and employed an Over the decades the school prospered Donnelly. American architect, Roy Lippincott, to and new buildings within the campus design the main building to resemble a followed in the Lippincott style, “e second attraction is ‘Early to large English country home. including dormitories, classroom blocks, Bed,’ a Fox-Gaumont-Gainsborough faculties, auditorium, large sports centre production, featuring Heather Angel, Designs for the gatehouse, dining hall and swimming pool. As well as the Fernand Gravey and Edmund Gwenn. and chapel soon followed. e chapel 40-hectare campus, the school is now is is a gay comedy of two young lovers features one of the finest organs in the surrounded by a 180-hectare dairy farm. sharing one room and never meeting. province outside Auckland itself, a piece of stone from Westminster Abbey St Peter’s included secondary students in “Patrons are advised that ‘Dinner at in the entrance, a window made by 1971, and in 1987 had an induction of Eight,’ in which the stars are Marie British soldiers for the first church at Te 25 girls, which brought a major change Dressler, Jean Harlow and Wallace Awamutu with leads beaten from rum- to the then all-boys school. It is today a Beery, will be screened on Saturday and barrel hoops, and magnificent stained- fully co-educational day and boarding Monday evening and that the bookings glass windows. Broadhurst spoke of the school for Years 7 to 13 with a roll of up are heavy.” chapel, “In a very real sense the Chapel to 1,100 students. Today’s prep school Of interest, the above free advertisement is, and must be, the centre of our life students continue to wear the original appeared in the editorial section of the here. Our Christian religion must, and uniform colours of light blue and grey, paper, a far cry from present-day movie does, supply the motive for all our work while secondary pupils wear dark blue. advertisements. and activities.”

Waipā – 150 years Page 57 e school has a reputation for its left it all and came to New Zealand along park-like, spacious environment, up-to- with his brother, where they bought land date purpose-built facilities, and high FIVE in an area around what is now known academic standards, and has established GEN ERATIONS as Chartwell in Hamilton’s north-east sporting academies for golf, swimming, suburbs. ere, despite a complete tennis, equestrian and rowing. More O F L AW lack of knowledge of the industry, they recently, St Peter’s has made land began farming, firmly believing, says available beside State Highway 1 for the Few if any professional businesses in the Mr Swarbrick, that the proposed eastern construction of a world-class “Home of Waipa District can boast five generations Waikato railway line would pass through Cycling” velodrome. of ownership by members of the same or near their land and they would family. prosper from it. Instead, the line headed out through Claudelands, well south of But long-time Te Awamutu law firm their land, directly towards Morrinsville. Swarbricks can – and rightly does. e Swarbricks’ farm did not do well, e business, which specialised in local and after Arthur had gone home to body law for almost exactly a century England, married Adriana and returned through the first three generations of Above: St Peter’s School under construction to New Zealand, he sold the property, the Swarbrick family, has been quietly in the 1930s. Harry having already moved to Sydney. providing legal guidance for local bodies as well as a range of private clients in Arthur subsequently became articled to and around the Waipā region since it one of Hamilton’s first three solicitors, was first established in Te Awamutu in William McGregor Hay, a somewhat 1897. Six years previous – in 1893 – the colourful character believed to have business had been originally founded in been a Forest Ranger with Von Tempsky Hamilton by Arthur Swarbrick. during the land wars in the 1860s in the Waipa district. McGregor Hay His great-grandson, and fourth had established himself as a solicitor generation Swarbrick to be admitted in Auckland in 1868, and about 1874 to the bar in New Zealand, is Richard moved to Hamilton to set up in business Swarbrick, who in 2009 sold the business there. His legal expertise was utilised Above: An aerial view of St Peter’s taken to Hamilton law firm Beattie Rickman by Arthur Swarbrick, and in 1887, during 1939. Legal. In July 2013, Mr Swarbrick was at the age of 36, Swarbrick decided to joined by his son, James, to make the become articled to McGregor Hay to fifth straight father-son generational learn law. He was admitted as a solicitor member of the law firm. e father and at the Supreme Court in Auckland in son team have now stepped outside the 1891, and as a barrister in 1896. On Beattie Rickman Law practice, and have September 29, 1893 McGregor Hay DISEASE recreated the Te Awamutu law firm of died after continuing ill-health, so on Swarbricks. September 30, 1893, Arthur, who had DISRUPTS been running his employer’s law firm in Richard Swarbrick says his great- Hamilton, began practising on his own grandfather Arthur migrated with a SCHOOL account. brother, Harry, from England to New By late May 1937, an epidemic of Zealand in 1877. ey were the sons He travelled extensively throughout the infantile paralysis which had badly of a wealthy accountant who became greater Waikato region, Hamilton being disrupted schooling for children general manager of Britain’s Great Eastern the only centre with available lawyers, throughout the Waipā region and Railway, and Arthur at least gained and he became deeply involved in Māori elsewhere in New Zealand appeared considerable knowledge of and status Land Court work. to be abating, according to the region’s in the-then booming British railway Medical Officer of Health, Dr H.B. industry, being appointed the Continental “e family has always been local body Turbott. On May 19 he reported that manager of the Great Eastern Railway law specialists,” says Richard Swarbrick. only three children had been admitted while in his early 20s. He met and became “We have evidence that my great- to Waikato Hospital during the previous engaged to Adriana, the daughter of the grandfather would travel from Hamilton five days, compared to 14 in the nine monied principal of a European shipping to Pirongia, get a coach over the hills to days prior to that. e epidemic had line, with ties to the railway. Oparau, travel by canoe to Kāwhia, and closed schools and kept children away appear in the Māori Land Court there.” from many social gatherings over the For some inexplicable reason, says A branch office of the firm was opened preceding weeks. Richard Swarbrick, his great-grandfather in Te Awamutu in 1897.

Page 58 Waipā – 150 years “My grandfather, Henry Augustus From 1967 the business has operated “now my son James has been admitted to Swarbrick, began here with the practice from premises at 72 Teasdale Street in the bar he has become the second great- in Te Awamutu after he came back Te Awamutu, but Mr Swarbrick says great-grandchild of Arthur Swarbrick to from World War One, having been he recalls that as a small child he often become a lawyer in this country.” wounded at Le Quesnoy,” says Richard visited the earlier offices of the business Swarbrick. “Arthur was always based in in Te Awamutu. James gained his Bachelor of Law degree Hamilton, but when Augustus came at Waikato University, and has also back from the war they made two “Access to them was up a dingy, narrow obtained a Bachelor of Media Arts and separate firms of the business. staircase to the first floor of the former Communication from Wintec. Bank of New South Wales building in Arawata Street. e offices were very antiquated,” he says. “Charles Dickens would have been right at home there. “ey were all wood-panelled, and I can distinctly remember the dust – everywhere. e files were all kept in old brown envelopes, there were lots of maps CALVERTS and plans, and a great deal of red tape. ere were rows of bottles of Stevens OF Indian ink, and lots of chinagraph CAMBRIDGE pencils for marking the maps and plans. Above: Fine record: James Swarbrick (right) ere were two women who did the e Victoria Street site which later is the fifth generation of Swarbrick men to typing, but otherwise the place was very became Geo. Calvert & Co. was first become a member of the Swarbricks law much a male preserve.” occupied by Samuel Howard who firm in Te Awamutu. He joined his father, Richard Swarbrick (left) on 1 July 2013, Mr Swarbrick says the façade on the operated a retail business named and the firm went out on its own after outside of the old building was entirely Cambridge House in the 1890s. having been part of Beattie Rickman Law wooden, and the very modest shingle Howard advertised in the Waikato Times: for some years. announcing the law firm was on the “Men’s Colonial Tweed Suits, £1 10s. inside of the door at the foot of the stairs. Beaver Mole Trousers, 8s 9d. Fern Boots “Augustus was very much a local body As well, he has about 20 ancient letter- made specially for the Waikato. Knitted law specialist, and did a great deal of work books recording letters written by the socks from 11d. Ladies Corsets from for the Te Awamutu Borough Council, firm from 1897 to the early 1920s. 1s 9d. Single mattresses, 10s 6d. Lace the Waipa County Council, local rabbit e typed letters have been impressed curtains 3 yards long, 3s 11d. Calicoes boards, drainage boards and similar on onion-skin pages, and are a detailed 2s 6d. Inspection respectfully invited.” organisations, around Te Awamutu, and fascinating record of Swarbrick Robert Tudehope purchased the business Pirongia and Cambridge. He continued and Swarbrick business during those in practice until 1965, when he retired. off Howard in 1901 and replaced the years. e letters, concise to the point of original wooden building with new “His son – my father, Roger Louis being almost abrupt, are always signed brick premises. He started trading with – joined the firm of Swarbrick and ‘Swarbrick and Swarbrick’, never with a one assistant and by 1905 had eight staff. Swarbrick about 1951 after completing personal signature. His store became a leading outlet in the his legal training at Auckland University. “ey were written on behalf of the Waikato, stocking mostly quality and He was the oldest of three children, and, firm, not an individual,” Mr Swarbrick imported goods. like his father, specialised in local body explains. law. He continued in the business until Tudehope experimented with innovative about 1997.” His own legal speciality has veered away ideas for advertising, including a from local body law, focussing instead on limerick competition (which turned out Richard Swarbrick, admitted to the bar family law, with some small involvement to be illegal), in-store piano recitals, and in 1975 after completing his law degree in criminal law. fashion parades which proved popular at Auckland University, spent 10 years with women. Tudehope was a pillar working and studying law in London “I can’t recall any other firm or business of society, serving as a local councillor, and Brighton before returning to New in the Waipā, or the Waikato region vice-chairman of the local chamber of Zealand in 1985 and joining his father that has had five generations of the commerce, and on the school and library in the Te Awamutu law firm of Swarbrick same family running it,” he says. “It’s an committees. and Swarbrick. He says that about a year unbroken descent that very few families after his return the firm was given its have in business. George Calvert took over the premises second name change in almost a century, on 1 January 1913, starting his iconic to become “Swarbricks”. “And,” he notes with considerable pride, store, selling drapery, apparel and

Waipā – 150 years Page 59 haberdashery. He had previously worked Cambridge Museum, where one can still and on 2 November he accounted for for Smith & Caughey in Auckland see them in operation. another Me 109. before arriving in Cambridge with his wife, Maude, and family. A friend writing to Mrs Wells stated, “As you probably know by now, Bill has After about 10 years of trading on the shot down two Messerschmitt 109s and site, George Calvert engaged Hamilton severely damaged several other types. architects Warren & Blechynden to ere is no need for me to tell you that design new premises, and in 1925 he is doing very well and knows more Calvert’s Chambers were built by local about looking after himself in these builders Speight Pearce Nicoll & Davys. matters than most. His judgement as a e spacious two-storeyed brick building marksman, which he has trained for so included two large shops on the ground many years, is now most useful.” floor, with a number of offices upstairs. ree years later the window frontage Above: George Calvert’s iconic store, selling In March 1941 he joined 485 Squadron, and verandahs were modernised at a cost drapery, apparel and haberdashery. the first all-New Zealand fighter of £1,200. squadron, scoring its first success on 5 July when he shot down a Me 109 George Calvert’s son Maurice started whilst escorting Stirling bombers over with the business in 1933 and took over France. Soon after he was awarded the from his father in 1965. Distinguished Flying Cross, with a total of eight victories. What most locals today remember about “HAWKEYE” Geo. Calvert & Co. is the Lamson Cash His exploits continued, and in October Railway System which, at the time, WELLS, ACE 1941 he engaged, single-handed, became a tourist attraction in the town! four Messerschmitts over the English eir fond memories are of the “whizz FIGHTER Channel. He had already shot down one bang” as small canisters flew by overhead Me 109 and was returning to England rail between the shop’s counters and the PILOT when he was set upon by another four central cashier’s office, carrying cash, Me 109s. ey dived at him in pairs but cheques, dockets and receipts. Children “Hawkeye” Wells was one of RAF Fighter he turned and faced them every time. stood in awe and wonder as the canisters Command’s most outstanding pilots; When one Me 109 overshot after its flew about the ceiling. he was credited with shooting down at attack, “Hawkeye” was able to fire his least 13 enemy aircraft and probably cannons, shooting the enemy down. e After 72 years of family trading, Maurice destroying and damaging many others. remaining three decided it was time to Calvert finally shut the doors in 1985, Edward Preston “Bill” Wells was born head home and Bill landed with only 10 selling the building and fittings to the shells remaining and empty fuel tanks! Post Office which intended to open a on 26 July 1917 at Cambridge, and PostBank branch on the site. e Post grew up in the family home, what later He was soon awarded a Bar to his Office gave many display items to the became Cambridge RSA’s clubrooms on DFC and kept in training by shooting Cambridge Museum, as their plan was the corner of Empire and Alpha Streets. hares, rabbits and partridges in the to demolish the building and rebuild. He was a champion shot during his neighbourhood of his base. By November Fortunately, the Post Office cancelled school days, earning him the nickname 1941 Bill was promoted to Squadron its plans for the site, with Vaughan “Hawkeye”. He attended Cambridge Leader and everyone in hometown Clements leasing the building and District High School, then took up Cambridge took pride in his exploits. running the Cambridge Community farming before joining the Royal New Market. He later bought the building Zealand Air Force in April 1939, training A Royal Air Force officer stated, and redeveloped the site, with smaller to be a pilot. He sailed for England “e New Zealand Squadron is now shops on both Victoria and Empire aboard the passenger ship Rangitata in recognised among the best five squadrons Streets. Today, one of the original long June 1940. at the Fighter Command, and Squadron counters is still in use in Fran’s Cafe. Leader E.P. Wells DFC and Bar, who is Bill began his brilliant fighting career the squadron’s commanding officer, is George Calvert also took part in public during the Battle of Britain flying regarded as one of the best fighter pilots affairs, serving as a local councillor Spitfires with 266 Squadron, before New Zealand has produced.” for 12 years, on the primary school transferring in September 1940 to 41 committee and as a vestryman for the Squadron based at Hornchurch. He In April 1942, as the New Zealand Anglican church. scored his first victory on 17 October fighter squadron was acting as top cover when he shot down a Messerschmitt 109 for Boston bombers, 52 Focke-Wulf Two units of Calvert’s “whizz bang” cash fighter off the French coast. Twelve days 190s pounced – 12 attacking from above railway system have been installed in the later he probably destroyed a second and 20 from each side. Miraculously, Bill

Page 60 Waipā – 150 years escaped without a scratch. By now he was posted to 50 Squadron based at RAF had carried out 100 fighter sweeps and Skellingthorpe. Just two days later on 16 destroyed at least 13 enemy aircraft. April 1942, he flew his first operation, a night raid on Lille. Roy initially flew In August 1942, after two years’ continual the dreaded Manchester bomber, which fighting, he was rested. He returned to he hated. But fortunately for Roy, he Cambridge, but couldn’t wait to return soon switched to Lancasters which he to Europe. He travelled back in March flew for the remainder of the war. Roy 1943 via the United States, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying visited aircraft factories and addressed Cross which he received personally from workers. King George VI at an investiture at After a stint on ground duties, Bill Buckingham Palace. returned to operations in March 1944 as A few days later he was wounded on leader of the Tangmere Wing, equipped a mission for which he received an with the latest model of Spitfire. He immediate award of a Bar to his DFC. destroyed a Messerschmitt night fighter e citation included: “During a recent on the ground and led his wing on sortie, Flying Officer Calvert’s aircraft sweeps over northern France during the was subjected to heavy anti-aircraft build-up to D-Day. He was promoted fire, sustaining much damage. e squadron leader in July 1945, and Above: Squadron Leader Roy Calvert wireless operator was killed, and both finished the war with an official tally of completed 59 operational bombing raids the pilot and navigator were wounded. 13 destroyed, three probables and 15 during the Second World War. e aircraft became difficult to control, damaged, plus one E-boat sunk in the but Flying Officer Calvert, although he English Channel. had a piece of shell splinter in his left In November 1945, Wing Commander arm, set course for home … to reach an Wells, DSO, DFC and Bar, was granted ROY airfield in this country where he made a a permanent commission in the Royal skilful crash landing in bad visibility … Air Force where he stayed for 15 years. CALVERT, displayed great courage and tenacity in He then pursued farming in England the face of harassing circumstances.” and Spain before dying in England in BOMBER By late 1944, while flying his second 2005 aged 88 years. PILOT tour with 630 Squadron as acting squadron leader, he was awarded a From his boyhood in New Zealand, Second Bar to his DFC. His citation Bill had been deeply attached to the Roy Calvert, Royal New Zealand Air included: “… Calvert has taken part in countryside. As well as being a fine shot, Force bomber pilot, became one of attacks against many strongly defended he was an expert fly-fisherman and could Cambridge’s most distinguished airmen, targets in Germany, including Berlin recognise any bird by sight or by its call. flying 59 operational bombing raids. and Leipzig. He has constantly shown He was a modest and charming host skill, determination and reliability, and with a great sense of humour. Born 31 October 1913 in Cambridge, Roy Calvert grew up in Victoria Road. as captain of his aircraft he has set a high He attended Cambridge Primary School, standard to the other members of his Southwell in Hamilton, and King’s Squadron. His operational experience College in Auckland. After working and enthusiasm have been invaluable in as a wool grader and farm worker, and the training of new crews.” attaining a private pilot’s licence at the Waikato Aero Club, he joined the air After completing his second tour, Roy force in December 1940. accepted the opportunity to join a group of New Zealanders about to return home While training at Ohakea Roy often through North America. He was home attended dances in local halls with his for Christmas 1944 and received the fiancée, May. He and May were married Second Bar while in New Zealand from shortly before he boarded a ship for the Governor General. England in June 1941. May later posted to Roy the scarf she was waving at their Roy was one of only four New Zealanders Above: Squadron Leader “Hawkeye” Wells to receive the Distinguished Flying was regarded as one of New Zealand’s best farewell, which he wore for luck on every operation he flew. Cross and two Bars (which equates to fighter pilots of the Second World War. three DFCs). He was also Mentioned in After further training in Britain, Roy Dispatches for distinguished service.

Waipā – 150 years Page 61 In February 1944, Lancaster R5702 in As well as organising the canteens, Great Britain, Scandinavia, and the which Roy completed 22 operations, Meryll was responsible for the personal United States again. She never married. was shot down over Denmark with a welfare of the soldiers and was referred different crew aboard. It lay forgotten to as “Director of Welfare” by General “She had always been fit and active and until Leif omsen found a wing tip in Freyberg. It is believed that at the time, there were still things she had planned to a barn and started researching its history. Meryll was New Zealand’s first female do,” said her sister, Mrs W.N. Robinson In 1996 Roy was sent a piece of the wing officer. Evidently, she did sterling service of Roto-o-rangi, after Meryll’s death. from the old bomber. in the Mediterranean theatre, as she was mentioned in dispatches, promoted to Below: Meryll Neely at work in the After the war Roy returned to May and senior commander (equivalent to major), New Zealand Forces Club in Cairo, together they farmed at Whitehall. Roy and ultimately was awarded the MBE for February 1942. died in 2002, aged 88 years, and is buried her efficient administration and service. in the RSA Cemetery at Hautapu. At the conclusion of the war, Meryll was released by the Government to undertake work as an administration and personnel officer for the United Nations Rehabilitation Agency’s headquarters at Tirana, Albania. Following her return to New Zealand M ERYLL two years later, she took up a clerical position at FAC Limited, Hamilton. But NEELY with a love for foreign places, she then worked for over three years in the New GOES TO Zealand Embassy in Washington DC after being personally requested by the WA R Prime Minister, Peter Fraser. ere she worked as an administrative assistant Born in Ireland, Meryll immigrated to and social secretary under Sir Carl New Zealand, and Cambridge, in the Berendsen and Sir Leslie Munro from GEORGE 1920s with her parents who took up 1949 to 1952. farming at “Brackenfield,” at Pukekura. For many years Meryll worked in the On returning home, she took up a MANDENO, Native Lands Court and as a private position as secretary to the general PRISONER secretary before she volunteered for manager of Tasman Pulp and Paper service in 1941 during the Second Company Limited in Kawerau. OF WAR World War. Simultaneously, she was secretary of the Kawerau branch of the RSA, and a George Crawford Mandeno, of Te As a 2nd lieutenant, Meryll left New borough councillor. Zealand in command of a carefully Awamutu, born 1916, travelled around selected party of 30 members of the After her retirement from Kawerau, the South Island with mates as a Women’s War Service Auxiliary, or Meryll returned to Cambridge and for teenager, returning to the family farm “Tuis”, the first such group to leave some years assisted in the administration at Te Awamutu. He joined the Waikato New Zealand. ey served in the New at the Waikato headquarters of Mounted Rifles as a trooper in early Zealand Forces Club in Cairo and later the National Party in Hamilton. 1938, training on horseback. in Bari, Italy, doing canteen, clerical and Still maintaining her interests in When the Second World War broke welfare work, and hospital visiting. administration, she then served as out, Mandeno was sent to Knox Street, secretary of St Andrew’s Anglican Parish, Hamilton, to be fitted out, paraded With help from New Zealand patriotic Cambridge, and continued to work in up Victoria Street and entrained to funds, every possible amenity and the the parish office until she became ill, Hopuhopu camp, between Ngāruawahia best of equipment was provided for dying two weeks later in 1975. She is and Taupiri. Mandeno recalled, “We had these clubs which were also established buried at Hautapu Cemetery. in Rome, Florence and Venice, and four months training before departing the Fernleaf and Milestone Clubs in Right to the end Meryll maintained [with the Divisional Cavalry, or Div London. e New Zealand servicemen close contact with her “girls”, who were Cav] in January 1940. e training was had good reason to be grateful for the by then mostly married or lived abroad. at Hopuhopu and Waiouru, my officer Tuis’ work, who were later absorbed Meryll played golf and contract bridge, being Lieutenant Bob Wynyard [son into the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps and loved to potter in the garden. She of Colonel Bob Wynyard of Kihikihi], (WAAC). also travelled widely, visiting Australia, a Waikato Mounted Rifleman. We

Page 62 Waipā – 150 years received infantry training, you know to fly back to Germany. During a parade – bayonet practice and lots of square to determine the marchers, his colleague bashing. e first armoured cars arrived stepped forward twice – once under his BRAVERY around that time, then Bren gun own name and once under Mandeno’s AT CASSINO carriers and Chev trucks. Having been name – to show his damaged leg was a mounted rifleman I was earmarked for incapable of marching. Fortunately William Robert O’Brien (Bob) was born the Divisional Cavalry.” the ruse wasn’t discovered. Mandeno in 1922 in Auckland. As a young man recalled, “In my physical state I would he joined the Territorials, and gained e Div Cav departed from Hopuhopu never have survived the march.” in January 1940 and travelled by train to an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic Wellington, leaving aboard the Rangitata After spending much of his life in Te in Hamilton. When war broke out in with the First Echelon two days later. Awamutu, Mandeno died in Ōhaupo in Europe, O’Brien joined the army in After disembarking at the Suez Canal, June 2009. 1940, training with a special forces unit they entrained to Cairo. George recalls in Australia. He then returned to New the Div Cav at both Maadi and Helwan Mrs Mary Eaton, formerly Mary Zealand and was involved in training camps. “I helped build both camps. I Mandeno of Te Awamutu, and sister of at the racecourse at Cambridge. He trained in the desert as a radio man in George and Alex Mandeno, was one of finally embarked to the Middle East in a Bren gun carrier, and then we moved the few New Zealand women who served July 1943, joining an anti-tank platoon to Greece.” with the American forces during the of the 24th Infantry Battalion, with the Second World War. She left her position rank of Lieutenant. e Div Cav, as part of the New Zealand as dietitian and lecturer at an institute Division, had their first contact with in Baltimore when America entered the When the war progressed to Italy, German armour in Greece. Mandeno war, and joined the American army as a O’Brien was detailed for liaison duties remembered, “We were in South African dietitian to the 56th General Hospital. with forward elements of the Battalion armoured cars, Marmon-Herringtons I during the battle of Cassino during recall. ey were good as scout cars and While with the unit she visited Britain March 1944. One night he commanded all right against Jerry armoured cars, but in 1943 and managed to meet up with a carrier party which scaled the heights up against tanks, they were no bloody her cousin, Squadron Leader Graham of Point 193 on Monte Cassino, and good. We had no cover, and the Jerries Mandeno, who was serving with the successfully delivered supplies to an had air superiority as well.” Royal Air Force at the time. He finished isolated company on Point 202. On the war awarded with the Distinguished another night he went forward into Mandeno was later evacuated to Crete Service Order, and Distinguished Flying the town of Cassino to contact forward where he fought in the rearguard unit Cross and Bar. companies, and to reach a company now across the island. He contracted malaria, completely isolated on Point 202. As the ending up in the “sick caves” near latter task proved impossible, he returned Sphakia, alongside his twin brother, to Cassino on subsequent nights in an Captain Alex Mandeno of the New effort to get through. Zealand Artillery. For bravery shown on many occasions ey were both captured by the Germans, at Cassino, O’Brien was awarded the but George Mandeno managed to escape Military Cross. while in captivity on Crete, and held out for three months before recapture. He was wounded on 29 July 1944 when From Crete he was sent to Athens and the Jeep he was in detonated a mine near a temporary camp at Salonika before Castellare, Italy. At the time there was a travelling by train to Lamsdorf, Poland, driver, O’Brien, five prisoners and two and Stalag 8B. At Lamsdorf he managed wounded men crammed in the Jeep. to avoid a work camp and for four ey had just travelled 30 yards down years worked with a privileged group the road when the Jeep struck the mine. of prisoners responsible for distributing Everyone in the vehicle was killed except Red Cross parcels to prisoners. O’Brien. After recovering in hospital, he returned home in August 1945. As the Russians quickly approached Poland in 1945, Mandeno was again After the war O’Brien continued in luck, managing to avoid joining the Above: George Mandeno, wireless operator his career as a motor mechanic and infamous Lamsdorf march of prisoners (top), tired and dirty after three days of mushroom grower in Te Awamutu. He back to Germany. rough a dangerous manoeuvres, returns to Maadi Camp near was always an active member of the local stunt by a fellow prisoner, he managed Cairo, 1940. RSA. He died 2011 on the anniversary to bluff the Germans into being allowed of his military accident, aged 89 years.

Waipā – 150 years Page 63 O’Brien was considered a humble and shared amongst HMS Exeter, Ajax generous man. His death notice stated, and Achilles. In 1941 the Achilles was “Never concerned for himself, always transferred to the Royal New Zealand thinking of others.” Navy and served throughout the war. e six Cambridge men were: Charles Wallace Care (gunner), Stanley Lorimer (stoker), Stanley Keeley (signalman), Maxwell Wallace (stoker), Arthur Speight (telephonist) and Archibald Cooper Hirst Shaw. All were Able Seamen. Above: Cambridge extended a warm welcome to the six local men who served on Shaw was killed in action during HMS Achilles during the Battle of the River the battle. Just prior to joining the Plate. Achilles, he had completed an advanced gunnery course in Australia. e ship took no direct hits owing to the skilled manoeuvring of Captain Parry, but altogether there were 400 holes in the Achilles from pieces of shrapnel. e JAPANESE nearest shell exploded 25 yards to port, with a piece of shrapnel killing Shaw and SUB Above: Bob O’Brien was awarded the wounding another sailor while the pair Military Cross for bravery at Monte were at their battle station in the conning HUNTER Cassino. tower. Shaw had the distinction of being Gordon Bridson of Cambridge was a the first Cambridge casualty of the war. New Zealand competitive swimmer e Achilles arrived back in Auckland to and a distinguished sailor in the Second refit in February 1940 to a civic welcome World War. and military parade watched by 100,000 As a young man he represented New people. In turn, the five Cambridge Zealand at the Empire Games in men were invited at a civic welcome in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1934, winning the Cambridge Town Hall on ursday a silver medal. He was a member of the afternoon, 29 February, put on by the Naval Volunteer Reserve at the outbreak Cambridge Patriotic Committee. Above: All that was left of O’Brien’s Jeep of the Second World War, joining the after it ran over a German mine. Practically all of Cambridge turned out Royal New Zealand Navy. He served when 3,000 people gathered in front of with distinction, becoming a Lieutenant the town hall, including children from Commander in command of the corvette every school in the district. “Welcome to HMNZS Kiwi. our boys” read a large banner suspended On the night of 29 January 1943, between the bunting-bedecked pillars. HELPED the Kiwi, along with the Moa, was e Municipal Band played while patrolling off the northwestern coast of returned soldiers marched. SINK THE Guadalcanal in the Pacific when Kiwi ADMIRAL When the five sailors arrived there was a detected a submarine. It made a depth “ree cheers for the Navy”, followed by charge attack, but then lost contact. Kiwi GRAF SPEE the National Anthem and a speech by the continued to attack and on its third run, mayor, Edgar James. A tribute was paid the damaged submarine surfaced and Few Cambridge people realise today to Shaw in front of the cenotaph. at attempted to fight it out with its 140mm that six young Cambridge men served evening, a dance was held in the town hall. gun and machine guns. aboard HMS Achilles when she played Excitement was so rife in Cambridge, Bridson thought it best to get in close a major in sinking the German pocket that the Borough Council decided to negate some of the submarine’s battleship, Admiral Graf Spee during unanimously to change Victoria Square advantages. en he decided to ram the the Second World War. e action, to Achilles Square, but it is assumed the submarine. With a graunching sound, known as the Battle of the River Plate, move was later rescinded. the Kiwi rammed it right behind the took place off Montevideo, Argentina, conning tower. on 13 December 1939, resulting in Today, Achilles Avenue in Cambridge the crippled German battleship being celebrates the ship and the six Cambridge Locked together, the vessels continued scuttled five days later. e prize was men who served on her. to blaze away at each other with light

Page 64 Waipā – 150 years weapons. Twice more Bridson pulled Andrew’s Anglican church. Lord Jellicoe his ship away from the huge 2,135-ton addressed the gathering, and the Bishop submarine only to ram it again, badly PETROL of Auckland, Bishop Averill, dedicated damaging his opponent and crumpling SHORTAGES the windows. ey comprise three his own bow. When Kiwi’s main gun figures depicting Truth, Freedom and overheated, Moa took over, chasing the In 1942, World War Two was creating Justice, and three scenes depicting the submarine until it ran aground on a reef. havoc in many ways, with crippling war: the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 – New Zealand’s baptism of fire; a For the action Bridson was awarded the shortages of a wide range of items. Petrol was especially difficult to obtain, and wayside crucifix outside the ruined city Distinguished Service Order. He also of Ypres, Belgium, during 1917 with a received the Distinguished Service Cross, could be used only in strictly rationed quantities. On Monday, February 2 New Zealand soldier kneeling at the foot the Navy Cross (US) and the Volunteer of the cross; the capture of Le Quesnoy, Reserve Decoration. 1942, the Te Awamutu Courier noted that “Since the heavy cuts in oil fuel France, on 4 November 1918 – New David Graham, crew member of the allowances and the total prohibition of Zealand’s final act of the war. Below the Kiwi, later remembered Bridson giving supplies for private cars, motorists are three windows is the inscription, “eir orders on the bridge: “[Bridson] gave using a wide variety of substitute fuels. name liveth for evermore.” the order to ram. At the same time he Some have obtained fairly satisfactory thought he’d better let the engine room results with mixtures of kerosene, know what was going on. So he shouted mineral turpentine, lighting kerosene, down the voice pipe, ‘Stand by to ram.’ dieseline, and even paint-thinners, and When the voice came back from the the demand for these fuels has grown engine room, ‘What the hell do you do considerably.” However, motorists using mean by ram?’ He replied, ‘I don’t know. such alternatives were required to pay I’ve never done it before!’” road tax on such fuels, and had to make an official declaration of mileage using After the war Bridson was in charge of such fuel each month. Lyttelton Naval Base, then operated a small business in Te Aroha before farming at Plantation Road, Horahora, where he remained until his death on 6 December 1972, aged 63 years. He is buried in the Hautapu Cemetery and is REMEMBERING survived by a daughter, Gillian, and two sons, Nils and Peter. OUR DEAD

A very attractive memorial was erected in Jubilee Gardens, central Cambridge, in 1923 to commemorate 74 local Above: A Cambridge soldier is depicted in men killed in the First World War. e marble on the Cambridge Cenotaph. architect was Nigel Walnutt, and the all- up cost was £2,000. e Italian-marble Also in 1923, a New Zealand memorial statue depicts a Cambridge soldier, was unveiled in the ancient walled plinth and lion in the middle of a cross. town of Le Quesnoy, depicting New e sculptor was Richard Gross whose Zealanders scaling the wall to liberate great desire was to give something worthy the town. Cambridge and Le Quesnoy without consideration of cost to himself became sister-towns in 1998, and the in labour or expenditure, making it one friendship is celebrated each year during of the most poignant memorials in New November in conjunction with Armistice Zealand. Subsequently, the names of 77 in Cambridge. Cambridge men who died in the Second World War have been added, as well After the Second World War a as plaques for the South Africa, Korea, Returned Services Association section Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam Wars. was established at Hautapu cemetery between two rows of cypress trees. A e memorial was unveiled on 11 Wall of Memories was built and a Roll December 1923 by Governor-General of Honour with 164 names inscribed on Above: Lieutenant-Commander Gordon Viscount Jellicoe. On the same day, three Bridson, submarine hunter. the archway for those who lost their lives memorial windows commemorating the overseas in the South Africa War and the First World War were unveiled in St First and Second World Wars.

Waipā – 150 years Page 65 Above: e Governer-General, Lord Jellicoe, Powered flight came to Waipā in the e cost was £9,000 for the land, and unveiling the Te Awamutu War Memorial 1920s when aircraft began landing a further £2,000 for the runway and on Anzac Green, 30 May 1923. at Jack Steele’s farm at Rukuhia for buildings. pageants and gymkhanas. At about the James McPherson Stuart in March 1947 same time the Auckland Aero Club e airport was opened on 12 October became the first returned soldier to be established a branch on land belonging 1935. At the time the country was interred in the section. to D.V. Bryant, near the Waikato River gripped by the thrills and exhilaration of at Te Rapa, about where Saint Andrew’s powered flight, and commercial aviation A Second World War roll of honour also was just in its infancy. appears on the main gate of Memorial Golf Course is today. A hay barn served Park in Taylor Street. Most of the schools as a hangar. is was to become the With the expectancy of war in Europe in and district halls display a local district foundation of the Waikato Aero Club. the late 1930s, the Waikato Aero Club roll of honour. Over the years the airfield was visited was swamped with applicants wanting to become airmen. Once the Second World Details and stories of the Cambridge by many flyers including Jean Batten War had become a reality, the airport was men killed in the First World War are and Charles Kingsford Smith. During vested to the Waikato Airport Board on 11 recorded in Eris Parker’s excellent book the 1930s the Waikato Aero Club had February 1941. With the airport needing Cambridge World War One, Something to outgrown its airfield at Te Rapa, so to expand, Jack Steele made available Remember, published in 2000. Charley Bishop Smith searched for a suitable location within 10 miles of another 214 acres to the airport board. Hamilton to establish a new airport. He By 1941, all privately-owned aircraft were checked out numerous farms near to impressed into service, and with it all flying Hamilton before he investigated a large practically ceased over night. e airport paddock on Steele’s farm at Rukuhia, was taken over by the Royal New Zealand which was regularly used by flyers. Air Force (RNZAF) on 12 August 1942, Charles Kingsford Smith in Southern becoming RNZAF Station Rukuhia. A Cross landed in the paddock in 1933, further 157 acres of farmland owned by offering rides to the public. omas Henderson, and 266 acres owned Charley Smith thought the property by another farmer, were acquired under suited his purpose, so he approached the Public Works Act in 1943, which Steele to purchase the land. Steele, allowed for the final construction of four who was an aviation enthusiast, agreed crisscrossed runways, each about 4,000 WINGS to sell 134 acres. Charley Smith then feet in length. ree large wooden hangars sought the approval of the Hamilton were constructed on the side of the airfield OV ER Borough Council, Esmond Gibson nearest the Waikato River, and No. 1 (Government aerodrome expert), and Aircraft Storage Unit was established, RUKUHIA Squadron Leader Leonard Isitt, before responsible for the major inspections, the purchase was made. overhauls and testing of operational Aviation in the Waikato started in 1894 aircraft used in the Pacific theatre of when American balloonist Leila Adair After four months of development, the war. e engines and instruments were ascended in a hot-air balloon from paddock was transformed into a modern overhauled at RNZAF Station Hamilton, Sydney Square (Steele Park), Hamilton airport, with a 3,450-foot runway and situated in the centre of the city. Two of East. She had a lucky escape when her facilities. A hangar was also built, large the wooden hangars are still in existence balloon began to tear and spew smoke. enough to house the aero club’s aircraft. today, being used by Pacific Aerospace.

Page 66 Waipā – 150 years Aircraft were ferried from the Pacific to Freedom Air started flying across the Rukuhia in various stages of disrepair – Tasman in December 1995. Neither many of them where damaged by anti- international service could fly direct OSSIE aircraft fire, while others had suffered from Hamilton to Australia when JAMES, from the trying climatic conditions the aircraft were fully laden, as the in the Pacific. Once the aircraft were Hamilton runway was too short. A stop AERIAL completely overhauled, they were flown in Auckland to top up fuel was required back to the islands. for full aircraft. e necessary runway TOPDRESSING extension was completed in 1998. At the height of its wartime operation, PION EER Station Rukuhia employed 1,800 At this time the airport officially became personnel. Many of them were the Hamilton International Airport As a boy, Oswald “Ossie” James was billeted at the Narrows Camp beside under the control of Waikato Regional determined to fly. Born in 1919, he was the Waikato River. Once the war in Airport Limited. A further runway educated in Tolaga Bay before serving the Pacific ended, the RNZAF had extension was completed in 2005 and a an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic. no further need for Station Rukuhia, terminal redevelopment was carried out Denied the chance to train as a pilot closing it on 30 June 1946. in 2007. with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) during the Second World War, As a consequence of the closure, about With the airport terminal positioned on he instead worked as a flight mechanic 500 redundant aircraft were put into the eastern side of the runway, the western on RNZAF aircraft in New Zealand and outside storage around the perimeter side is the home of general aviation in the Pacific. of the airfield. Numbers and types have users including the Waikato Aero Club, been estimated at: 118 Warhawks and Eagle Air, Aeromotive, Hamilton Aero After the war Ossie returned to the Kittyhawks, 81 Venturas, 1 Harvard, Maintenance, Rotocraft, Super Air, and East Coast and opened a garage with 9 Avengers and 248 Corsairs. e CTC Wings, one of the world’s leading brothers Colin and Ian. He soon gained disassembly and reclaiming of in- airline-pilot training providers. Also his pilot’s licence and purchased a Tiger demand metals was mostly done by near the airport is Pacific Aerospace, Moth biplane from the RNZAF in Asplin Motors of Rukuhia. For years the manufacturer of military, agricultural 1947. Ossie then began researching into graveyard of Second World War aircraft and commercial aircraft. the possibilities of aerial topdressing could be seen from the Hamilton-Te in Poverty Bay. He was convinced that Awamutu road, with only a handful of eroding farmland on the East Coast – aircraft escaping the melting pot. too steep for easy access from the ground In post-war years the Waikato Aero Club – could be improved quickly and simply prospered in the abundant amenities by spreading fertiliser on it from the air. and infrastructure left behind by the Ossie formed James Aviation in 1949 air force. e New Zealand National and travelled to the United States to Airways Corporation (NAC) was formed learn what was happening in agricultural in April 1947, and the public turned out aviation. Soon after his return he to celebrate the arrival of Lockheed 10A Above: Charles Kingsford Smith in Southern purchased a second Tiger Moth. By the Cross landed in a paddock at Rukuhia in Electra ZK-AFD Kuaka on 27 September end of the year he had it fitted out and 1933, offering rides to the public. 1947, which started the NAC service pilot Neil Johnstone started topdressing between Hamilton and Wellington. on 28 December 1949 at Te Uku, north By the end of the 1950s Hamilton of Raglan. e farmer, J.W. Lusty, was so Airport needed to be upgraded to cater impressed with the Ossie’s innovation, he for larger aircraft. A longer runway was promptly spread the word about James constructed and a new terminal building Aviation. Soon after, a third Tiger Moth was officially opened on 26 March 1966. was purchased. Hamilton Airport became an Above: Sir Alexander Young, Minister of Ossie once stated, “Our official load of international airport in 1995 when Kiwi Internal Affairs, opened the Hamilton fertiliser [for a Tiger Moth] was 360 lb, Airport in front of a large crowd on Air commenced overseas flights. e but we operated with 560 lb. e Tiger Saturday, 12 October 1935. following year the Government sold its flew like a powered glider with that remaining share in the airport to the five weight, so we had to go downhill to get local councils. At the same time, work anywhere. at’s why ag strips are always started on a new terminal to handle the on top of hills!” increased volume of passengers, both domestic and international. e new Left: For years the graveyard of Second World War aircraft could be seen from the terminal was opened in September 1996. Hamilton-Te Awamutu road.

Waipā – 150 years Page 67 A year later, Ossie had six Tiger Moths Aerospace Corporation in 1982, which James Aviation from late 1949 until operating, had taken over a RNZAF is today known as Pacific Aerospace. 1956, mostly operating in the Waikato, hangar at Rukuhia airport, and extended Northland, Rotorua and Taupo areas. his services to Rotorua. In December In total, James Aviation built 286 During its active life, ZK-AJO flew about 1950, Ossie himself started topdressing, Fletcher aircraft, exporting many to 6,000 hours on agricultural operations. which he continued for around nine countries as diverse as Venezuela and months. But as the company expanded, Iraq. James Aviation became a public Ossie needed to concentrate more on the company in the early 1980s. When company’s management. Ossie retired in 1984, James Aviation had a staff of 625, a fleet of 120 In 1952, Ossie bought out Hunter Air aircraft and several subsidiary aviation Tourist Company and Blackmore Air companies. By the same year owner- Services which added a Fairchild Argus, operators had taken over the aircraft and a Proctor and a Waco aircraft to his the James Aviation brand disappeared fleet. He also bought an Auster from the from topdressing aircraft. Rotorua Aero Club. ese four aircraft When describing his tireless work with were used to form the tourism and the company, Ossie once stated, “Your charter division of James Aviation. vision is only as big as your hangar door. Next, James Aviation gained a long- And one of the reasons James Aviation term Government contract for forest fire was able to grow was that we had a very patrol work. ree additional Austers large hangar door!” were purchased for the task, each fitted Ossie became a co-founder of New Above: Ossie James. with long-range fuel tanks and radio Zealand Agricultural Fieldays. In 1974 equipment. he gifted James Aviation’s DC3 ZK- In 1954, Ossie visited the United States AZL to the Fieldays, where it became an on behalf of Cable Price Corporation and open-air exhibit at Mystery Creek, and negotiated the purchase and assembly in is today undergoing conservation work. New Zealand of FU24 Fletcher aircraft. Ossie’s work in topdressing changed the Assembly began at Rukuhia the following way New Zealand farmed its land. With year at the rate of 25 per year. the extensive use of aerial topdressing, Above: e DC3 was introduced to James Also in 1954, modifications were much of the country’s hill country Aviation’s topdressing fleet in 1955, completed on a DC3 aircraft for aerial became economically viable. spreading approximately 100 tons of topdressing work. e DC3 was capable superphosphate a day. Inside two decades Ossie became one of carrying five tons of fertiliser per of the fathers of aerial topdressing, but flight. e first commercial applications for many the Fletcher aircraft remains took place in December 1955, spreading his most enduring legacy. He shared approximately 100 tons per day. By the development of the Fletcher as a the end of 1956 James Aviation had a topdressing aircraft in New Zealand with staff of 96 and a total of 21 aircraft and the legendary Guy Robertson, founder of BURGLARS workshops in Rotorua and Hamilton. Robertson Air Services, who brought the James Aviation brought the first first Fletcher into the country in 1953. CAPTURED helicopter to New Zealand, an American- Ossie was the recipient of many honours, IN BELL’S built Hiller, forming Helicopter including being made an Officer of Services Ltd. By 1964 the company’s the British Empire in 1968, and being STORE fleet of 38 Fletchers and several DC3s named a Distinguished Companion was spreading about 200,000 tons of of the New Zealand Order of Merit in During October 1948, Pirongia (its name superphosphate and 225 tons of grass 2004 for his services to aviation and the changed from Alexandra in 1896) made seed each year. James Aviation also community. the national news when two burglars operated a school for commercial pilots were captured in Bell’s store, on the using two-seated Fletchers. Ossie died on 31 May 2007, aged 87 corner of Franklin and Crozier Streets. years. At his funeral he was honoured by e sound of breaking glass during When New Zealand Aerospace a flypast of Fletchers. He was survived by the evening alerted the Bromell family Industries was formed in 1972 it took his wife Elaine, two daughters and a son. over the manufacture of Fletcher aircraft that something was amiss at the nearby at Rukuhia, while James Aviation became e original Tiger Moth (ZK-AJO) store. Bernard Bromell quickly biked to a major shareholder. New Zealand used by Ossie is today on display in Te the home of Clarrie Schwartfeger, who Aerospace Industries became Pacific Papa, Wellington. It was in service with worked at the store.

Page 68 Waipā – 150 years Schwartfeger grabbed his shotgun, and funds, the general public giving £60 and 300 call-outs annually. In the 100 the two hurried to the store. On entering the Council granting £120. years, 28 Gold Stars and three Queen’s they bailed up two men with the shotgun. Fire Service Medals were awarded to Leaving Schwartfeger to guard the two Soon after, a fire station was erected members. burglars, Bromell ran down the street to by voluntary labour and some plant a telephone and called the Te Awamutu procured, including hose and uniforms. Don Gerrand, the present Chief police. A newspaper account tells that A wheeled hose reel was made by John Fire Officer, stated at the time of the when the police arrived 40 minutes later, Ferguson, the local blacksmith. e new centennial, “I feel honoured to have the two prisoners were being closely brigade was officially opened by the served the Cambridge Brigade under guarded in the store by their captors, Mayor, omas Wells, on 14 August the old regime of the Cambridge Fire backed up outside by “several residents 1904. Two firemen slept in the station to Board from 1968 to the takeover in who had arrived with picks, axes and look after the plant and, in case of alarm, 1975 by the New Zealand Fire Service other weapons of a similar nature”. to open the door and start with the reel Commission. e feeling at the time of for the scene of the fire. the change was of immense anxiety to It turned out that the two burglars had the wellbeing of members under a new escaped from Mt Eden Prison several e original brigade included: Captain system that would not have local input. days earlier. Apparently they drove out T. Jones, E.J. Wilkinson (Secretary), However, 1975 came and went and of the prison quarry in a truck under Lieutenant M. Roberts, Sergeant before long evidence of the new regime the noses of armed guards. Initially they Higgins, Firemen A.E. Harris, F. Higgins, became apparent. Appliances became had travelled north to the Kaukapakapa G. Hastie, K. Armer, K. Court, A. standardised, members from all brigades area where they eluded capture by Popple, F. Plescher, C. Ruge, J. Webber received a uniform, and buildings and stealing a car, which they eventually and H. Bell, Branchmen Kite and J.V. equipment became upgraded, and I drove to Pirongia. Richards, and Hydrantmen Fairweather believe this brigade and the service and L. Armer. nationwide gained immensely.” Recently, Heather Morris, Schwartfeger’s granddaughter, visited Pirongia from eir first call-out came on 18 August Fire Chiefs to date: T. Jones, T. Kite, Australia and gifted the Heritage and 1904, when 11 members attended to a H. Bell, H. Vause, G. Drew, W.J. Information Centre congratulatory chimney fire at the Masonic Hotel. Six Harris, J.W. Morris, G.R. Brunskill, G. telegrams received by Clarrie members turned out in January 1905 Haworth, and D.R. Gerrand. Schwartfeger after the episode. One to a house fire in Leamington, but since telegram from a former Pirongia resident there was no nearby “plug” (hydrant), reads, “Congratulations on the bag. e they could do little to save the house. shooting must be good!” In response to this and other similar Some notable fires instances, the brigade asked the Council attended by the for more plugs to be placed around Cambridge brigade: town, as well as a request for buckets! Apparently, at a recent fire in Princes 1911: Masonic Hotel. It was four Street, the firemen had resorted to using o’clock in the morning and the upstairs CAMBRIDGE’S tins to fight a shed fire. By mid year, a residents, in their nightwear, were main with plugs was laid down Victoria climbing down the back fire escape as the VOLUNTEER Street, and more hose was purchased. floor started to fall in. One of the guests ran to the Fire Station to ring the alarm In the brigade’s third year of operation FIRE bell. It was raining, and as on previous it: attended eight alarms with an average such occasions it was difficult for some of seven to eight firemen attending each; BRIGADE members of the Brigade to hear the bell. raised £12 to help send a competition 1912: National Hotel. e brigade In March 1903 a committee, formed team to Christchurch; installed a fire put two leads of water from a fire plug to consider the question of forming a bell near Victoria Square; established a opposite Victoria Square onto the local fire brigade, recommended to the telephone link between the station and hotel, but the pressure was inadequate Cambridge Borough Council that steps the town’s waterworks; and had extra fire to save the building. A willing band be taken to organise a volunteer brigade, plugs put in Duke and Victoria Streets. of helpers removed as much furniture erect a fire station to accommodate two e brigade celebrated 100 years of (and refreshments) as possible and then firemen and plant, and to procure a reel service in 2004. roughout the decades the brigade concentrated on saving and 800 feet of hose with hydrants. e the brigade continually developed and surrounding buildings. As the members estimated cost was £300, to be covered by is now housed in modern facilities with rested a cry went up that Mrs Murphy’s an increase in the council’s general rate. state-of-the-art vehicles and equipment. buildings (along Alpha Street) were on At a special meeting in May it was Today, the community is extremely fire and the brigade rushed to rescue decided to go ahead with the formation fortunate to have 24 well-trained and them. A hose was put in from Victoria of a brigade. A canvass was made for dedicated volunteers, who attend about Street but “owing to the excessive zeal

Waipā – 150 years Page 69 displayed by some of the inexperienced volunteers, a severe wrench on the hose caused the main to burst, rendering useless the water supply,” reported the Waikato Independent. 1920: F.S. Veale’s Buildings, Victoria Street. 1921: Nurse Russell’s Nursing Home, Hamilton Road. 1923: Kenilworth Boarding House, Anzac Street.

1926: FAC, Duke Street. e Above: e Cambridge Volunteer Fire neighbouring Central Hotel Brigade when it formed in 1904. burnt down the following day. Later, there were rumours about town that the hotel fire was deliberately lit because it was suffering from bad patronage, was in debt, and a licence renewal was eminent. 1927: Nine shops destroyed in Duke Street. 1927: Dingley Dell, Pukekura Straight. 1928: Broad & Broad’s Buildings, Duke Street. 1932: Hinemoa Flats, Alpha Street. Above: e destruction of the National Hotel in 1912. 1933: Golf club house; and SPND. 1938: Roto-o-rangi dairy factory. 1941: ree dairy factories. During the Second World War, when the brigade’s ranks were thinned by overseas service, six teenage girls gave valuable service. 1942: Bromwich Bakery, Hally’s Lane. 1944: Army hut, Te Koutu Park. One death. 1945: Waikato Independent, Duke Street. 1948: Pukeroro dairy factory. e brigade used whey to subdue the flames. Above: Crowther and Bell’s stables burn 1950: Seth Webb Estate, Empire down in 1913. Street. 1961: Bruntwood dairy factory. 1964: St Andrew’s Church, Victoria Street. 1978: Valentines army surplus and State Advances buildings, Hamilton. 1990: Paramount Recaps, Empire Street. 1996: Cambridge High School. Above: All that remained of the FAC in 2002: Cambridge High School. Duke Street after the 1926 fire.

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