Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 30, September 1986
PAEROA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
At the Annual General Meeting in April, the President, Mr Sam Orr, reported that the year had been both active and rewarding, as shown by interest of members and good attendances at the regular meetings.
In the winter local schools visited the Museum and an exhibition in support of the Sunlight Soap Centenary was organised as well as a display of swimwear. Members were hosts to visitors from Auckland on 2 occasions: the Paeroa Old Pupils Association with Mr Fred Dare and Mr Bill Malcolm to the fore - also the Te Awamutu Historical Society and the Akarana Caravan Club over Easter 1985 and the Onehunga Fencible and Historical Society in February.
Members also enjoyed one-day bus tours: to the Putaruru Timber Museum and Arapuni Hydro in October with a brief stop at a private museum at Tirau; to Hamilton for a river cruise and lunch at the lake, followed by a visit to the Hamilton Museum and then to Chartwell Square. Our biggest get-together was the luncheon in December when 60 members attended. The after-dinner speaker, Mr Jack Milroy, spoke on "old Karangahake".
At the annual conference of the Federation in Ashburton in March, we were represented by past-president, Mr Hamish Wilson.
The Society's finances are in a sound state and membership stands at 280. The Society was fortunate and most appreciative of a generous grant of $100 from Trustee Bank Waikato. This was used as a timely subsidy to our Journal Account.
WAIHI HISTORICAL SOCIETY
In his report to the Annual General Meeting, the President, Mr E J Cunliffe said that the year had been pleasant and rewarding. Attendances had been fairly static since the introduction of the 10 00am meetings with approximately 20 members being present. The highlight of the year was the 21st birthday celebration when 72 attended a luncheon in the Presbyterian Church Centre. Guests included the Patron, Mrs Nell Climie B E M, Waihi's Mayor and Mayoress, Mr and Mrs Owen Morgan, 4 members of the Paeroa Society and the President of the Waihi Arts Centre and Museum, Mrs Hilary Timanus.
A trip to Hamilton in November visited Chartwell Square and then went for a 2½ hour cruise on the Waikato River on the "Spirit of Waikato".
The secretary and treasurer, Mesdames C Harper and M Wells, attended the N Z Federation of Historical Societies Annual Meeting and Convention at Te Awamutu.
Speakers who entertained during the year spoke on a variety of subjects including:
Fred Carbutt ... Old Motor Transport
Lance Deverall ... ... Coaching Days
Miss Bonny Pipe ... ... Old Days at Waihi Beach and the Surf Club
Jim Millan [Millen ? – E] ... Akrad, Pye and Radio
Miss Eva Leach ... ... Nursing in the Pacific Islands
All the talks were recorded on cassette tape.
The year concluded in November when a pot-luck lunch was held in the Waihi Arts Centre & Museum.