WAIKATO TIMES - THE WAY WE WERE
Times
Times
Waikato (July 1918) The monthly meeting of the Morrinsville Town Board took place on Thursday evening, where the contractor for the water bore stated that he had obtained a supply of 200,000 gallons a week from the present bore, which is 70,000 gallons less than the guarantee. He could get a larger supply, but was of the opinion that beyond the 170 feet depth the water was mineralised. He asked the board where he should put the second bore – the board decided to get a chemical analysis of the water at the 170ft level and also the present depth. 50 YEARS AGO Latest effort in a rash of bizarre crazes currently sweeping the world was seen by hundreds of people at Matamata on Saturday when eight pianos were smashed to smithereens in what was billed as ‘‘the world’s biggest piano reduction championships’’. The uninitiated layman would call it piano smashing, but the experts insist that this term conveys none of the skill required to demolish a piano and feed it through a hole slightly less than eight inches in diameter in as short a time as possible. Waikato Chamber of Commerce wants to hear from any Hamilton members struggling to cope with this year’s city council rates rise. The chamber’s appeal for no increase at all failed this week when the council confirmed an overall rise of 7.86 per cent – which, because of the formulas used, will produce an actual increase ranging from 8 to 12.5 per cent. Chamber secretary May Woodcock said today the increase was expected to cause difficulties for many business people. And she voiced special concern for those who were ‘‘used to paying their way and not used to begging for help’’.