Spring Milk Cart

Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 33, September 1989

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This miniature spring cart, owned by Mr Bruce Coffey of Karangahake is on display at the Paeroa Museum. It was built by Mr George McKelvie, aged 18, an apprentice black smith in Melbourne in the late 19th Century. It is a reproduction of his family's milk cart and won a prize at the Melbourne Juvenile exhibition in 1888.

George McKelvie died of fever at the age of 26. The cart was then given to his sister who, in turn, presented it to the present owner's grandson.

MILK BOTTLE DELIVERIES END

History is not only events which happened years ago. Every day events become history and the end of milk bottle supplies is such an event. In this area supplies of milk in bottles ceased on 31 March 1989. From that date milk was supplied in either cartons or plastic containers, following a trend in other parts of New Zealand.