Friday 18 October 2019

October 18th yesterday

Do you remember what you were doing on this date last year, five years ago, 10 years ago etc? This blog post looks back at what was happening in Rotorua on 18th October, yesteryear.

18 October 2004 - 15 years ago

The Daily Post had coverage of the second annual Rotorua Reebok Ekiden Relay that had been held on Saturday. 260 teams of six team members walked the marathon distance of 42.2 kilometres in rainy conditions around the shores of Lake Rotorua.

Source: Rotorua Daily Post, Monday 18 October 2004, p. 2. Photos: Tracey Robinson

18 October 1994 - 25 years ago

Lakeland Health chief executive David Buckleigh announced his resignation after 18 months in the role.

Also a general meeting was held to vote on the proposed merger of Rotorua Electricity with Bay of Plenty Electricity. There were angry calls for Rotorua Electricity chairman Jack Butterworth to resign after he announced the meeting would be adjourned for three weeks.

18 October 1969 - 50 years ago

On Saturday morning Malfroy Road School pupils held a mini-walkathon. The picture below shows signs, such as 'Miles for piles of books', which would suggest the walkathon was to raise funds for new books.

Also in education news, nine-year-old Rotorua Primary School student Shane Eaton was preparing for heats for the national frog jumping championship being held at Rotorua Primary School.

Malfroy Road School walkathon. Source: The Daily Post, Saturday 18 October 1969, p. 1.

Rotorua Primary School student Shane Eaton prepares for national frog jumping championships. Source: The Daily Post, Saturday 18 October 1969, p. 1.

18 October 1939 - 80 years ago

In October 1939 petty theft was an issue.

Firstly there was a word of warning to those stealing flowers that they would face penalties under the law. It had been reported on several occasions that flowers had been removed from Kuirau reserve, and in some case entire plants and bulbs had been taken.

Also it was also reported that petrol was being siphoned out of tanks. Motorists had been returning to theirs cars to find their tanks nearly empty.


18 October 1919 - 100 years ago

On Saturday 18th October 1919 the Arawa tribe gave a reception to General, Lady and Miss Russell at Ohinemutu. Sir Andrew Russell was presented with a feather mat as a gift.

Source: Wanganui Chronicle, Monday 20 October 1919, p. 9. Courtesy of Papers Past.

This post was written by Graeme. Thanks to Rotorua Daily Post and Papers Past.