THEWAYWE WERE
Continental curls, a glamour evening and knitting tips - the 1968 Kapi-Mana News had everything a modern woman could want.
The Porirua newsroom holds copies of the newspaper stretching back to the 1950s and we thought it was high time we browsed through the yellowed pages to see what was news nearly 50 years ago.
Porirua Motors Ltd had a list of used cars to tempt readers, a 1966 Ford V/6 Sedan was a ‘‘great buy for the discerning motorist’’ and a bargain at $2450.
If transport was a problem, Cannons Creek Foodmarket would deliver your groceries. On November 13 they had a special on baked beans and spaghetti, you could buy a can for 16c or any two for 31c ... you do the maths.
Trend-following ladies could get ‘‘continental curls’’ at Mayfair Beauty Salon with a cut and perm for $7 or attend a glamour evening run by Tews Pharmacy. They could also compete to become ‘‘Miss Kapi-Mana’’ in an annual beauty contest.
Roseannwyn Dairy in Linden got a snowfreeze machine and took out an ad to tell readers they could try one for 12c.
Porirua City was about to make New Zealand history with the arrival of Santa on a hovercraft designed and supplied by Hoover Manufacturers Led.
Plunket nurse Mavis Eager gave her annual report and was concerned about the plight of young mothers in Waitangirua.
There were no cables for private telephones in the area and she thought streets could work together to organise babysitting services, she said.
Tawa Pipe Band raised money for ‘‘blind kiddies’’ and Ngati Toa Cub pack celebrated their 5th birthday with a parents evening.
Best sellers The Moth and House of Dolls could be bought for 75c from Whitcomb and Tombs.
At a meeting of the Titahi Bay League of Mothers ‘‘the housewife who is always having to push up her cardigan sleeves when doing the household chores’’ received a very useful knitting hint from Mrs Cordell.
‘‘Leave the ribbed band of the sleeve unsewn and instead sew domes on, then one is able to turn back the sleeves.’’
The newspaper reported a meeting where Chief Fire Officer Mr GWBicknell told of a recent rescue of two children trapped in a lift in the Porirua council buildings.
‘‘These are the only lifts in the city and are a playground for children,’’ said secretary Mr P G Walsh, who expressed regret that summary justice could not be accorded to the culprits.
‘‘They shot off as fast as they could,’’ he said.