Looking back to 1968...
? The year began on a hopeful note. Sixteen businessmen outlined plans to form an investigating committee to study the feasibility of a $2 million scheme for Mt Egmont. It was their intention to erect an aerial cableway to the summit where a restaurant would be built. Interest was apparently running high in town as well as other parts of the country.
? Hospital board amalgamation was on everyone's mind. It seems Stratford lost and the Government won/ Stratford's Hospital would soon run under the Taranaki Hospital Board.
? The new library was opened at the Stratford High School. Over 5000 books were transferred from the old library.
? Miss Jill Corbett was crowned as Stratford's entrant in the NZ Pastoral Queen Quest. A Ratapiko school teacher, Miss Corbett, 19, was sponsored by the Taranaki Romney Breeders' Association. In second place was Thea Imlah, Manaia, and third Lynne Jemison, Tariki.
? Parts of the Prestige Hosiery Factory left Stratford to go to the Wellington site.
? Mr Blane retired from Stratford High School after 42 years' teaching.
? Also entering retirement was County Council Clerk of 24 years, Mr T A Jones.
? The Cardiff Post Office closed down after providing a service to the district since 1905.
? Gary Scott of Eltham, a member of the Taranaki Stock Car Club, gained two wins , one second and the second fastest time of the evening at Wellington's new stock car track, Te Marua.
? Mr Gary Charteris of Eltham, an employee at the Bank of New Zealand branch, was notified of a transfer to Cambridge. Gary was a fine hockey player, playing in the Taranaki side and representing New Zealand in the Colts' team.
? Children in the Toko District were able to enjoy a new Play Centre. Mrs Margaret Rankin was supervisor.
? Several Stratford artists had their works accepted for the Taranaki Society of Arts exhibition in new Plymouth. They were: Mrs Olga Sawyers, Mrs Zoe Witton, Mrs Ruth Costello, Miss Mary Thompson, Mrs Janet Hardwick-Smith, Mrs Patty McGrath, Mrs B M Anderson and Mr Les Nowell.
? A new three-foot board safety fence around the Stratford stockcar track was hailed as a complete success by drivers who tried it out for the first time in December 1968, but from a spectator's point of view the new arrangement was a complete failure. They couldn't see! The club was quick to realise this and large earthmoving equipment was brought in to improve viewing areas by shifting 3000 yards of earth and erecting seating. President of the club, Mr D Johansen, said his committee had to do something 'pretty quick'. 'People won't come to see our cars in action if they have to put up with what they did last week,' he told the Press.
? A life time in the electrical industry ended when Mr D A Stewart retired from business. Mr Stewart came to Stratford in 1939 setting up an electrical business from his home. He moved to the Plaza Theatre building shortly after the War. The most notable change to the industry over the years, he said, was the introduction of plastic cables in place of the steel conduit.
? Raewyn Angell of Eltham won four trophies from the Eltham Table Tennis Club. They were for the most improved player, under 13 girls' champion, best attendance and ladies' singles champion.
? Mr Laurie O'Keefe from Eltham arrived home in November after a successful tour to Mexico as manager of the New Zealand Olympic contingent. He said many of the athletes were adversely affected by Mexico's high altitude. 'The lack of oxygen made the runner feel heavy in the legs, and although he was obviously putting every effort into his race he appeared to be running in the same place. The New Zealand athletes termed this as the 'athletes' staircase',' he said.
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A Jewish guy goes into a confession box. 'Father O'Malley,' he says, 'My name is Emil Cohen. I'm eighty five years old. Believe it or not I'm currently involved with a 28-year-old woman and on the side I'm seeing her 20-year-old sister. We engage in all manner of pleasure and in my entire life I have never felt better!' 'My good man,' said the priest, 'I think you've come to the wrong place. Why are you telling me?' And the guy goes, 'I'm telling everybody!'.
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I was so ugly when I was born the doctor slapped my mother.
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They say animal behaviour can warn you when an earthquake is coming. Like the night before that last earthquake hit, our family dog took the car keys and drove to Arizona (Bob Hope).
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Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way. Unless it's a fatal mistake, which, at least, others can learn from. -Al Franken
Have a great week!
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