Meghan Hawkes looks back on headlines from 1914, including the marking of 50 years since an infamous battle.
The 50th anniversary of the Battle of Ōrākau attracted many veterans including 16 from Whanganui.
They reached Te Awamutu by train at 3am and were met at the railway station by a member of the Ōrākau Jubilee Committee, then driven in brakes to the township. Refreshments were provided but unfortunately beds could not be procured. However, as daylight soon appeared most of the party strolled about, those veterans who had been there in the old days pointing out the places of interest to the others.
Of most interest were the old Anglican Church and churchyard, where a large number of men killed during the troubled times of 1862-1864, were buried. Many were known to the Ōrākau veterans. At 11am the party was driven out by motor cars to the historic sight of the fight, where the committee provided a free luncheon, and at 2pm the ceremony of unveiling the monument took place. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the party was provided with afternoon tea, returning to Te Awamutu about 6pm.
One of the most pleasing sights of the function was the meeting of old veterans, in many cases men who had not seen each other for over 40 years. It was an unusual sight to the younger generation to see such a display of medals; a few of those veterans present being literally covered with them. Despite the lack of beds, the Whanganui contingent, whose average age was over 72, were quite proud of what they achieved on the trip without taking their clothes off – it reminded them of the old days.
A Farmers’ Field Day was held in Mr Pollard’s paddock, Ōhaupō Road, to welcome returned special constables – men, mainly farmers, who had been sworn to help control Auckland’s 1913 waterfront strike. There was no charge for admission, and hot water, milk and tea were provided by the committee. The function was arranged by the Te Awamutu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and included a very good programme of sporting events. The grounds were ideal for picnic parties, and the 16th Waikato Regimental Band played various selections throughout the day. Catering was provided by the proprietor of the Empire Café and fruit, confectionery and soft drinks were available. In the evening a reunion took place in the local Town Hall at which the special constables were entertained.
The installation of telephones into private houses at Pirongia, which had been held in abeyance for some time past, seemed to be getting nearer. This would prove a great boon to businesses and to the farms lying some distance from the township, bringing them closer in touch with their neighbours. Also at Pirongia residents were looking forward to the Farmers’ Union social, and all sorts of frills and furbelows were being found for the occasion. Even hoary-headed farmers were hunting round for their dancing shoes. Given a fine night, lovers of the terpsichorean art were promised a delightful time.
A complete set of moulds for making counterfeit sovereigns, half crowns, and shillings was discovered at the residence of a Hairini resident. As well as the moulds police found a quantity of lead, solder, files, rasps and ladles. The coins seized by the police were described as excellent work, their forgery being only detected by the ring of the coins. The man appeared at the Te Awamutu court on a charge of making and attempting to utter counterfeit coin. His defence was that he was not sane.
