First motor car, Kawhia, bridge
The old Pakoka ford presented a busy scene when about 200 settlers assembled to celebrate the opening of the recently constructed bridge over the river.
Horses and vehicles in plenty, and a good number of motorcars arrived while a full launch conveyed several Kawhia friends to the gathering. Towards noon the elders prepared lunch, while the incoming tide induced the smaller fry into the river. The festivities could have continued for a week judging by the ample supply of food, and after a liberal luncheon the opening ceremony began.
Mr Wallace Thomson’s handsome car was requisitioned for the occasion in which were seated, among others, Mesdames Buckeridge and Toko. Spectators congregated on the landing side of the bridge as the car approached from the Kawhia end. Directly in the centre of the bridge stood Miss Maida Brown (Te Mata) and Miss Donny Langley (Kawhia). Between them stretched a red ribbon which was cut by the two ladies in the car, who formerly declared the bridge open, speaking respectively in English and Māori, amid cheers.
During the speeches Mr Hill from Raglan commented that “good roads, good wives and good homes were essential factors to the settlers’ happiness.” A long programme of games followed and the gathering gradually dispersed after a most enjoyable day’s outing.
A thumb-losing epidemic was reported at Ōtorohanga after Mr Patie, a carter, met with a nasty accident and consequently lost the top joint of his right hand thumb. He had reached the top of the last hill coming down with a heavy load of timber, and on testing the brake discovered it out of order. The lever, which had become detached, fell on his thumb and smashed it. In Ōtorohanga no less than seven cases of men losing the top joints of their thumbs had been recorded within four months.
Captain Upham arrived by aeroplane at Te Kūiti after a failed descent in fog at Hamilton. Unfortunately, because of the boggy nature of the ground at Te Kūiti the machine skidded sideways, damaging the undercarriage and a few wires. As a result, Captain Upham and Lieutenant Tennant, of the New Zealand Flying School, were compelled to remain in Te Kūiti.
As well as being an expert pilot, Captain Upham was a most pleasing baritone singer, and that night he did his share in a musical hour at Kelvin House. Lieutenant Tennant had telegraphed to Auckland for a new under carriage, the replacement arriving by night train and the necessary change being made by noon the next day.
Captain Upham informed a reporter that he first took up flying in Egypt at the start of the war and up to now he had never had an accident of any kind. He was very much annoyed that his record should be broken under such circumstances, especially as they had intended to remain in Te Kūiti only about half an hour.
First motor car, Kawhia, bridge
