The year was 1876. Queen Victoria was on the throne, New Zealand women were 17 years away from gaining the vote, and Masterton opened its first skating rink in the newly refurbished Railway Hotel in Queen Street. Wairarapa was wrapped up in skating fever from...

Reviews of both Friday night events were again produced in the same column, with a fair few underhanded comments. The review of the Theatre Royal concentrated on how the skaters appeared to enjoy themselves and finished with a comment on the lack of adequate lighting....

The year 1908 saw a lot of change in Masterton – not only for the second coming of the skating craze in the area, but also as that was the year that Masterton voted in a “no licence” policy. With no ability to make or buy alcohol within the town, residents were forced...

Any fears that the inclusion of a second skating rink would lessen the numbers present at either business were quickly put to rest, as both rinks were dealing with record numbers crowding their venues. Even on the same night as a sell-out carnival held by Elite Rink,...

The review of opening night was glowing. The floor was top notch, the skates had all been revamped, and the participants skated the night away to the sounds of a brass orchestra. One thing was missing though – there was no mention of the Winslow Skating Rink. The...

Masterton missed its skating. So much so that a carnival was announced for the Town Hall in August 1910. Prizes were on offer for various skating techniques as well as for costumes. Newspapers were quick to point out how popular the sport was around the country, and...

Masterton was devoid of the roar of skating wheels from 1911 until the beginning of the 1913 season. Mrs I. Cooper opened a rink in Perry’s buildings on Perry Street, which was until then known as J. J. MacLean and Co’s auction rooms. The new location was open every...

During 1915 a war raged on overseas, taking our men and women, with many of them never to return. Featherston Military Training Camp became New Zealand’s biggest army training camp, covering nearly 30 hectares, and teaching around 60,000 men over less than four years....

The season of 1918 opened with a vengeance, and for the first time there was an offer of free admission and free hire of skates on opening night. All staff were known to be competent instructors to help those who needed it. W...

Suddenly the advertising for Foresters Hall ceased, and a new announcement appeared for the Plaza Rink which was to open shortly with a “silent floor”. No change of location for the Foresters Hall rink was advertised, so it is unclear as to whether the Plaza Rink was...