Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Thames (NZ): One hundred years ago - 31 December 1914

What was happening in Thames one hundred years ago?


Death: Jane Blacklock WALTERS (aged 83 years), had died 30 December at her Matatoki residence. Her funeral was taking place on New Years Day afternoon at Tararu Cemetery, Tararu.
 
In Memoriam: Notices inserted for William MARTIN who had passed away 31 December 1912 and Eugene Clinch O'SULLIVAN who had died suddenly at Thames January 1st 1914.
 
Trip to Auckland: If you needed to be in Auckland for New Years Day, there was still room on the Wakatere leaving at 6.30pm.
 
New Years Day Activities: You could take Kerby's Launch from the Shortland Wharf to the Pipiroa Picnic and Sports Day.
 
 Household Hints: One Teaspoon of vinegar, is a substitute for an egg, always make a cake light if made using dripping instead of butter. Make Cabbage digestible, by replacing hot water when half boiled. Always close down the piano at night or on damp days. Open on bright days and let sun shine on ivory keys to stop yellowing.
 
Visitors to Thames: Many people were visiting for the holidays. Mr & Mrs Thomas GILLAN were visiting from Owharoa, where he worked as Manager of the Rising Sun Mine. Mr A J Hartley was visiting from Temuka and inspecting the land on the Hauraki Plains.
 
General News:
  • Thames Coast bathers were warned to watch for sharks. A 14 footer had recently been seen on the shoreline. Later in the paper, there was some good news that a couple of smaller sharks had been caught by Mr THORNTON.
  • Daniel Doolan had committed suicide at Patetonga, his inquest had just been completed.
  • Thames Bakers were asking for prompt payment of accounts due to the rising costs of flour.
War News:  Several pages were dedicated to keeping the reader up-to-date with the war news from Europe.
 
Headlines included: The Germans Repulsed; Austrians Driven Back; and news that the New Zealand Contingent formed in England had arrived in Alexandria.