HISTORY OF CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 369, 10 December 1898, Page 1 (Supplement)

HISTORY OF CAMBRIDGE.

[Bv William Root.] The difficulty that was experienced by journalist* in collecting records of the events of the Victorian Record Reign in lSd7, revealed tho fact that no systematic efforts had been made in tho British Empire to preserve a record of the local incidents and changes occurring in tho courso of years, for the use of future historians. * It was shown that a vast amount of time aud trouble was wasted in searching for reliable data of tho Empire, so as to give a contrast of the condition of society and affairs in 1837, with the progress achieved up to 1897, which trouble might have been avoided, if there had been any established system of recording facts as they occured, with a recognised place for the caro and preservation of such records when made. This difficulty prompted a multitude of proposals to prevent such trouble in the future, the rao4 feasible being a suggestion from Sir Benjamin Stone, a member of the British Parliament, to the effect that the local authorities of each city, town, and village in the Empire, should collect and place on record all the information obtainable of their respective localities up to Juno 1597, and thenceforth, add from timo to time afterwards all the most noteworthy events and occurrences of the place, and deposit for safe preservation all documents and records so collected, in a local Museum for future use and reference. Acting upon this suggestion, and hav-_ a similar object in view, the Trustees of the Cambridge Public Library, have resolved to use thoir best efforts ta collect all the information readily obtainable, relating to the first settlement of the town and its progress up to the date of the Victorian Diamond Jubilee, the 22ud of June, 1597, together with as many photographs illustrative of its past and present aspect, and environments, as can be procured, with tha means at thoir command, and then, if possible, to havo the information printed and preserved in the Cambridge Museum, feeling assured that with every decade of years tho value and importanca of the collection will bo greatly enchanced and appreciated. Tho trustees are indebted to Miss Mary Selina Noal, for the zeal, tho time and labour she has expended in rescuing the incidents of the early settlement from oblivion, which has made it a labour of love and of success; they have also arranged for the Librarian, Mr J. S. Master, to collect and preserve in an album, all paragraphs from local newspapers relating to current events connected with the town, so as to further enhance the use and value of their records to succeeding generations, as also to afford accessible data to the historians of the future. The incidents of the early history of this settlement have beeu furnished by several of the actors in the scone depicted who are Btill living m the district; the value of these personal recollections relating to tho occupation and foundation of this British settlement in the wilds of Waikato in Maoriland. will consequently be appreciated much more than if they rested on mere tradition, as being accurate and dependable. Most of tho information has been supplied by Messrs. C. Chitty, R. McVcagh, B. Booth, T. Wells, Jas. Hally, G. J. Neal, to whom thanks are due for the following account of tho difficulties attending the inception and growth of the township. The Town of Cambridge is situated on the banks of the Waikato River, about one hundred milos from Auckland, with which place it is in daily communication by railway. It is a Municipality governed by a Mayor and Councillors, though at present it is without supplies of either gas or water, whioh are things hoped for, to come in the immediate future, alouu with asphalt footpaths and well-rounded streets or roads. Tho two principal streets are Duke and Victoria streets, they are fairly formed and graded, all the other streets are roughly formed here and there, with water-tables defining future footpaths in many of them, though at present unpletisan: to walk on in tho dark : there is a Post aud Telegruph Office, despatching two mails daily ; largo Public Schools ; a good Public Library for a couutry town ship ; five different places of worship ; two Halls for entertainments with stages and scenery for theatrical poformanees. threo large Hotels for travellers; a Court-house, Gaol and Police station, with Railway Terminus, etc., etc. The town is acknowledged to be the centre of agriculture in the Waikato district, and admirably placed for trading purposes, it is generally called the Sanatorium of the Waikato, being famed for its bracing air and salubrious c imate, with level dry roads and clear atmosphere ; it is constantly recommended by the leading medical men of Auckland to persons with consumptive tendencies or throat affections, as a desirable resort, many of the visitors are so much improved by a few months' residence, that they seem to take it new lease of life and usefulness. Its attraction for bicyclists is steadily increasing, owing to the porous nature of the soil absorbing the moisture nearly as fast as the rain falls, thus leaving the roads useable and enjoyable in a few hours alter tho heaviest downpour. The accommodation for visitors and tourists is of th« best description and is increasing yearly, the latest important addition being the Sanatorium opened in 1S!)6 for persons requiring skilled nursing and attendance, which in some measures takes the place of a medical home for invalids and sick persons ijciierally. Tlietc are several private boarding houses ; it; addition to the hotels, which purvey for visiters at very moderate charges, and appear to give uensral satisfaction to their patrons, so that persons who have not yet visited the place can be assured they will i;c amply repaid by doing so, to enjoy its many natural beauties and advantages for health purposes. The scenery in and around Cambridge is unequalled by any in the Waikato for its natural beauty and grandeur, and the town is often said to be one of the most picturesque and romantic spots in the wide world. Lake To Koutu beiug situated in the centre of the town, is a

great attraction to visitors, while its beauty is enhanced by the artificial efforts that haye been marie to decorate the domain surrounding it with flower beds, terraces and shrubberies. Rustic seats have been placed under the trees which add to the comfort of invalids and picnic parties, for what more lovoly scene could they behold while reclining thereon than the mirror-like lake, where the wild ducks fly about in freedom, with the Manngakawa hills in the distance forming a charming back ground. From the gardeus down the hanks to the lake, are steep winding paths, and arriving there you feel with the poet far from the maddening crowd's ignoble strife's as you behold Nature unadorned. A few years ago a bathing house v?as erected at the lake and is now much frequented by persons of both sexes, at special hours in the summer time, set apart for them. A portion of the Domain which for many years remained uncultivated, has been recently laid out in terraces and flower plots, an 1 where the old gravel pit was, is now converted into a tennis court, and a bowling green, forming an artistic landscape. The name of Mr Thomas Wells will ever be associated with the Domain, for he as chairman of that Board has always been to the fore in suggesting and planning schemes to beautify it. The neighbourhood of the town abounds with charming walks and drives, the roads being in excellent condition even in winter, while the Livery stables afford both carriages and riding horses to suit all persons. From the hill at the lower end of Duke street, is obtained a splendid view of the two bridges, with the treacherous Waikato River flowing beneath, while stretching far away in the distance are the Gorton estate and the Pukekura farms. Another oft frequented scene is the water-fall at Moon's Springs, situated at the extreme end of Alpha Street, affording a charming view of the beauties of the river and the fall, the latter being a favourite place in the summer time for showerbaths by the citizens. Ample provision is also made for intellectual pursuits, as there is a large Library containing some two thousand five hundred of valuable and well selected books besides a Public Reading room free to risitors, supplied with some forty newspapers, from all parts ot the colony. Nearly all the settlements in New Zealand are more or less connected with the native difficulties that disturbed the Pakeha's occupation ot tha country, for the first quarter of a ceutury after the British took possession of the Islands ; but a full history of the wars and skirmishes with the Maories, is outside the scope of these records, though there are a few connected with Cambridge requiring a short description. The land on which Cimbride stands was oalled " Karapiro " by the Natives ; it situated in the Waikato District, a former centre of what was the King country, or, a portion of the land the Maoris determined to keep for thomsalves, and for which purpose they elected tho first native King " Potatau " expressly to exclude all " Pakehas" or "White men.

Karapiro was part of the land that was confiscated by the New Zealand Government, as some indemnity for tho expenses incurred in fighting the Maoris during tho latter years of the fifties ; for as the white men advanced into the country from the sea-coasts the natives had to recede, and lose posiesuon of the land that they had fought for and won by war. But this was not without many a gallant struggle, as the records of the early days of the Colony painfully attest. It may be preinisod that most of the land troubles in New Zealand arose through the total ignorance of the Natives about the British custom of holding land by individuals, and the consequent selfish monopoly of what they were accustomed to use in common, and to consider belonged to a Tribe. This fundamental difference in regard to the use of land, caused most of the misunderstandings between the British and the Maoris, as the latter could not understand how tho agreement signed at Waitangi by their Chiefs, giving permission to the Pakehas" to settle on the land, could be construed into a right to expel the natives from their tribal lands. This individualizing property in the laud heretofore held in common, by victorious tribes, was apparently commenced by the early missionaries, and aocordiug to statements in the House of Representatives was the primary cause of all the troubles and wars with the Natives that destroyed so many lives in the settlement or the Colony, and aroused the worst passions of the race, and jeopardised erery interest of the colonists. From the traditions of tho Maori's it seems to have been the custom from the earliest times, for tho various tribes to battle with each other for the possession of coveted portions of tho country, and the tribes of Waikato were as active in that pursuit as in any part of Maoriland. Tho following incident enables us to realize somewhat the original condition and disposition of tho natives dealing with each other. Early in the present century a band of tho Ngatiraukawa tribo plaunod a little surprise party to a settlement of some of the Ngatihaua's who were living at Karapiro (on land situated botweeu Thornton Road and Weld Street in the presaut town of Cambridge) where they surprised, killed, cooked and ate the whole of tho people living there, men, women and children, in a grand feast and thus wiped out the whole " Pah" or Village. (To be Conlbitted.)