"Advance Ohakune" year back in 1907

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 239, 12 April 1988, Page 6

"Advance Ohakune" year back in 1907

The second instalment in this series of extracts from the news columns of Waimarino' s early papers covers a variety of subjects. One of these subjects, under the heading: "Advance Ohakune" in the Waimarino County Call of 1907 deals with the formation of a number of local societies, leagues and association as evi-

dence of Ohakune's growth and progress. Of these there is one particular association which would no doubt attract the attention of the Race Relations Board were it to be found today. "Advance Ohakune" "To show the vast

strides the township has made during that period (12 months) we may state that there are 55 business people and all are doing good business. There is a strong Progressive Association, which consists of all the main business people, with Mr A.W.

Gould, solicitor, as chairman. This Association has done a considerable amount of good since it commenced. There is an Axemens' Association, Athletic Club, Cricket Club, Football Club, an AntiAsiatic League, a Cemetery Board and Domain Board. During the early part of the present year the town is to be formed into a Town Board district when seven worthy commissioners will be elected to look after the

welfare of the town." Waimarino County Call January 6, 1908 "Leap Year Ball" The 1908 Catholic Coneert and Leap Year Ball must have been quite an occasion judging from the account in the Waimarino County Call a week later. "This function, held on New Year's night, was fairly well attended and proved an enjoyable event to those present. The programme was a short one but the numerous encores proved that the items were

greatly appreciated. Mr John Punch presided and the following items were rendered: First part: Overture, Mr and Mrs Gould; Song, Mr Campbell; song, Miss Owen; pianoforte solo, Miss Rose Punch; comic song, Mr Welsh; Irish jig, Mr McManus. Second part: Overture, Mrs Gould; Song, Mr Anderson; Song, Mr Malpas; recitation, Mr Wright; Song, Mr Owen; song, Mr Pierce Punch; comic song, Mr Hansen; Irish jig, Mr McManus. Accompaniments were played by Mr and Mrs Gould and Miss Punch. After the concert the floor was quickly cleared and swept for dancing to music supplied by Mr A. Woodcroft (piano) and Mr Gould (violin). During the evening a supper of good things was served, Mr Dauphin

(the local baker) being the caterer." Waimarino County Call January 8, 1908 Transport in the Waimarino The following two news items demonstrate the problems and solutions associated with travel in the Waimarino before the opening of the Main Trunk railway later that year. • "There were 22 passengers left behind at the Waimarino (now National Park) station on Tuesday last owing to there being an insufficiency of coaching accommodation. Five coachloads of passengers were landed at the Ohakune Station." • "Mr W. Jopp has just received a very handsome 18-passenger coach for the OhakuneWaimarino run. This coach will be a great acquisition to the road. It is called "The Conqueror."

Waimarino

County

Call January 8, 1908