From the pages of the Press, 1968:
? More than 600 people gathered at the Eltham Civic Theatre in September where the Eltham entrant for the 'Mrs New Zealand' contest was selected. Second placegetter was Mrs Margaret Smith and Mrs Alison Crafar came third. A bracket of four songs was performed by Joy Mischefski along with items by Debbie O'Keefe and Heather Campbell. The contest was sponsored by the Eltham Plunket Society. Mrs Joan Whyte, Regan Street, was chosen as the Stratford entrant in the contest. Mrs Eila Hopkirk, Makahu, came second and Mrs Patricia Walsh, Pukengahu, third. Mrs Whyte was mother to six: Lindsay 16, Kathryn 14, Elizabeth 12, Brenda 10, Joanne 7 and Amanda 5.
? Donald Uncles, 16, won three titles at the Taranaki Badminton Association's junior tournament. In the previous year he was NZ Boys' Singles champion. A member of the Stratford club he was Boys' Singles winner for three consecutive years.
? This year marked the introduction of a new-style 'school certificate' exam. Under the old system, the student was required to pass the exam in English and at least three other subjects, gaining a total of 200 marks in the best four pass subjects. A pass was rated at 30%. The new system provided for passes in single subjects and the pass mark was raised to 50%. A candidate must choose at least one subject from four category groups: 1. English; 2. French, Geography, History, Technical Drawing; 3. Mathematics, Biology, General Science. Other subjects such as Commercial Practice and Animal Husbandry were also available for examination.
? Very wet conditions prevailed for the final cycle race of the season for the Stratford Club. The seniors raced to Hawera and return for the Peter Hodson Memorial Rose Bowl. Peter Taylor was first home, Len Hotter was second and Richard Dodds, third. The A Grade boys' winner of the Des Ewans Memorial Shield was Graham Stark, Trevor Foley was second and Paul Ewans, third. The B Grade boys raced for the Candy Cup. Ian Schmidt was the winner, Kevin Ewans second and Paul Tipler third. Top points for the season resulted in a tie between Kevin Jordan and Paul Tipler.
? An article titled 'The Other Side of Horse Racing' appeared in the Press on October 17, 1967: 'The first horses were brought to New Zealand from New South Wales as a gift to the Maori in 1814. The first known horse racing was held in 1840 on the Petone Beach as part of the first anniversary of the founding of Wellington. Most of the horses that took part in the event were from the Military Garrison.
'The first thoroughbred horse, Fifaro, arrived in the country the same year and three years later the first thoroughbred sire was brought in. Many broodmares and stallions followed.
'In 1862 the first stud book was compiled which contained the extended pedigree of 145 mares and 58 stallions. 'Today (1968) New Zealand has 5500 mares and over 300 stallions which are producing 1700 live foals annually.
'The founding of the National Yearling Sales in 1927 attracted buyers from overseas, Forty-eight lots were sold for $33000 ? an average of $682 with the highest price being $2050.
'In 1968 402 lots were put up and sold for $1,555900, with an average price of $3870 and the highest price was paid for two colts at $37000 each and a filly for $22000.
'A prominent American owner said in a press statement, 'To my way of thinking New Zealand is the greatest place in the world to raise a horse, for it has the soil of Kentucky, the sunshine of California and the rain of Ireland.''
? Mr Douglas Stewart, born in Eltham, was touted as one of Australia's leading poets. Three awards were presented to Douglas for his work including The Muyer Award, the Grace Levin Prize for the best book of poems for the year.
? The first Stratford Boys' Brigade won the Taranaki Boys' Brigade group drill shield for the third time in four years. The Stratford team was led by D Sorenson who also won the NCO's trophy. Members of the team: R Johnston, M Habershon, B Graham, J Agnew, G Taylor, J Oliver, G Cleary, R O'Dea, J O'Dea, D Mills and B Sorenson.
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A guy joins a monastery and takes a vow of silence: he's allowed to say two words every seven years. After the first seven years, the elders bring him in and ask for his two words. "Cold floors," he says. They nod and send him away.
Seven more years pass. They bring him back in and ask for his two words. He clears his throat and says, "Bad food." They nod and send him away. Seven more years pass. They bring him in for his two words. "I quit," he says. "That's not surprising," the elders say. "You've done nothing but complain since you got here."
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Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race. ? Calvin Coolidge
Have a great week!
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