10 | CAMBRIDGE NEWS
Trendsetters in Cambridge The following article appeared in the Waikato Independent in 1934: “Shoppers in Victoria Street on Tuesday afternoon experienced a mild shock. It is not often girls in ‘slacks’ are seen in the streets, but here were two of them, tall and unconcerned – one wearing a bright red pair with an equally vivid green jacket, the other more sombrely clad in blue from head to foot. Perhaps they were visitors to the town, but in any case it is hard to imagine the fashion spreading to any extent. Cambridge maids and matrons are likely to remain faithful to skirts for many moons to come, although it is whispered that two local lasses were seen at the pictures the other night, one in white and the other in grey slacks; still that is not in broad daylight. During the holidays it was not an uncommon sight to see two dainty little maids of school age about the streets in shorts – one affected a bright red pair – but while little Miss Thirteen can do such things and get away with them, Miss Almost-out-of-her teens cannot afford to be quite so daring.” This photograph, kindly provided by Joan McCathie, was taken in 1934 and shows her mother Gwen West (right) and aunt Etta McCathie (left). Etta was a tailoress and possibly made the slacks for herself and her future sister-in-law. - Cambridge Museum.
Backchat FEATURE
The pre Cosy Corner building can be seen in the centre of this photograph taken in 1924 by R P Moore
IF WALLS COULD TALK: Why? Once upon a time there were no supermarkets, people did their grocery shopping from “grocery shops” in the 1960s. The grocer delivered the goods to you, wore a white apron, carried the groceries out to the car for you and became your friend. He or she, because Laurie and Elizabeth Catt ran Cosy Corner as a family business, commented on your children in their pushchairs, and delivered groceries to your home if you desired it. During the years Cosy Corner has had many identity crises. Where to find it ? Over the road from Briscoes and the historic Cambridge Town Hall. Now totally restored and extended the Cosy Corner building has smartened up its act under the very meticulous hands of accountant Jane Evans, who can proudly say she has restored to life the old building, which reminds us of its very fascinating career. We haven’t much history before 1928 when it was “the dwelling and confectionery shop of a Mrs Milburn”. Reports in the Waikato Independent
THURSDAY AUGUST 12, 2021
BY CAROLE HUGHES
Photo supplied by Bruce Hancock
Thank you Mr Catt!
at that time describe it as being owned by a Mrs Davys and this was when it succumbed to fire (and the adjoining YMCA building and motor garage were threatened by the fire). The fire was thought to be started by rats chewing on wax matches!!! However ,“the seat of the blaze” was confined to the northern part of the building and ‘the firemen made an excellent save”. The very worthy Waikato Independent (later to become the Cambridge Independent ) reported that “the premises gutted consisted of the shop and four attached living quarters.” There we have a glimpse into the life and times of 1928 and from that a new Cosy Corner was built. Marching through time, Lloyd Williams had a funeral parlour there and Mr and Mrs Hogg had a dairy. Hoggs sold to Catts, and then there was, a little time later a brothel in residence! This continued until an over enthusiastic person noted the registration numbers of the visitors and began hassling them! In 1987 Anton and Sarah Myer started a Cosy Corner craft shop, in 1988 it was Merino Sheepskin shop.
To join the Cambridge Historical Society, call us on 07 827 3319.
Kathryn Parsons Museum manager
Eris Parker former Museum manager and curator, points out that it has been a spa pool shop, Town Hall tea rooms and H.Douglas, draper. Then a very artistic group of the Brethren Church set up Subtle Silks and made silk products, very high quality and tailored to perfection. Subtle Silks stayed there until 2020. Jane Evans also pointed out that horses and carts took patients from the building to Sanitorium Hill when Tuberculosis was treated at that Centre up until 1922. During this period George Retter’s Panel Shop was on the corner of Lake Street and Queen Street and Lake St Autos, started by Warren Wiseman. Behind the building was George Scott’s Heavy Haulage. The preservation of the Cosy Corner building (see the original engraving on the name at the upper section of the building) has been perfect. Jane Evans has spared no effort in retaining as many of the original characteristics of the building. She and her business partner Tim Doyle have their accountancy business with seven members of staff in the rear of the building, in the front is Mondo Homes.
Karen Payne Administrator
Elizabeth Harvey Communications
Grow your business with Evans Doyle
Local Cambridge Chartered Accountants and proud owners of The Cozy Corner. Jane Evans, Tim Doyle, and the team at Evans Doyle are local Cambridge Chartered Accountants providing accounting and tax returns, skilled in offering business advice and we provide bookkeeping and administrative support.
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Evans Doyle Limited
Evans Doyle Limited
4980
2 Kirkwood St, Cambridge 2 Kirkwood
info@evansdoyle.co.nz
PO Box 1034, Cambridge, 3450
07 823 07 4980 823
info@evansdoyle.co.nz
St,evansdoyle.co.nz Cambridge
PO Box 1034, Cambridge, 3450
evansdoyle.co.nz