50 years ago
❚ There was such phenomenal radiata growth near New Plymouth that the city could make a fortune if planting of trees was carried out on a large scale at that time, Mr M J T Fraser told a meeting of the New Plymouth City Council.
❚ The Inglewood Jaycee chapter had been involved in 26 projects during the year, the retiring president, Mr D J Broadmore, reported to the annual meeting where Mr Ian Cayzer was named Jaycee of the Year.
❚ In recognition of his service since World War II, Mr L C O Foy was presented with a life membership badge by the Stratford and Districts Returned Services Association.
❚ Plans to move the Sisters from the Eltham and Waitara convents to the Stratford and Inglewood convents respectively were announced, the decision being made because it was felt the Sisters would benefit by living in larger groups.
❚ Using a new site at Uruti, the Taranaki Car Club held a successful hill climb, fastest time being recorded by M Loveridge driving a Cooper S.
❚ Para-kiting, one of aviation’s most unusual sporting activities, was introduced to Taranaki by a Wellington enthusiast, Mr Pat Johnson, who soared high above the farm of Mr M Cartwright at Smart Rd, New Plymouth, suspended from a parachute and towed along behind a tractor travelling at about 20 miles an hour.
❚ The appointment was announced of Mr D A Watkins, managingdirector of Ivon Watkins-Dow Ltd, New Plymouth, as a member of the National Research Advisory Council.
❚ Crossing a footbridge in New Plymouth’s Barrett Domain, Ginger, the horse of 14-year-old Amber Gush, had its hind legs fall through rotting timber and it took the combined efforts of New Plymouth firemen and Roebuck Construction Co Ltd workers to free the animal.
❚ After taking the advice of Waitara bookseller Mr F Bird to keep taking Golden Kiwi lottery tickets, Mrs S C Bielawski won sixth prize of $1000.
❚ Movies: Easy Come, Easy Go (Opunake Everybody’s), Elvis Presley; El Dorado (Hawera Regent) John Wayne and Robert Mitchum; The Spy In The Green Hat (Stratford Plaza), Robert Vaughan and David McCallum; Born Free (Inglewood Civic), Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers.
❚ National champion road and track cyclist J A Dean of New Plymouth swept aside all opposition to win all four events he contested at the West Coast (North Is) hard track cycling championships at Rugby Park, New Plymouth.
❚ An open day at the new 31-bed ward for the more seriously ill at the Stratford hospital had attracted a fair crowd, the matron, Miss M C Brown, reported.
❚ With no assets and very little money there was no need for the Stratford Jiu Jitsu Club to become an incorporated body, the chairman, Mr D Knowles, told the annual meeting.
❚ Just half a wheel separated first and second when the Taranaki miniature TT motor-cycling championship for the Baigent Cup was held by the North Taranaki Motor-cycle Club at Hurford Rd, Omata, R Dixon just heading off J Furze.
❚ After attending the New Plymouth Boys’ High School as a pupil for five years and then completing 32 years there as a teacher, Mr T N Watt was appointed deputy principal by the New Plymouth High School Board
35 Years Ago:
❚ Mr Alan Purdy (New Plymouth) appointed district music advisor to Taranaki schools.
❚ Patea Budget Advisory Service revived; Mark Black (Hawera) wins street machine drag title at Meremere.
❚ 15,000 see Split Enz at New Plymouth’s Bowl of Brooklands.
25 Years Ago:
❚ Taranaki Regional Council gets go-ahead for Waitara flood protection work.
❚ New Plymouth group formed to bring TAB’s Action Tv to city.
❚ Madge Moore (skip), Joan Batchelor and Gloria Schneller (Eltham) win Taranaki women’s bowls triples title.
❚ Prime Minister Bolger praises TSB Bank for holding mortgage rates.