More Info →Page 58 - Levin 75th Jubilee Supplement

Description

	Demolished in 1968 to make way for extensions to the legal offices of Park, Cullinane and Turnbull, this old house in Queen Street is thought to have been built in the first decade of this century. In 1913, according to Mrs Francis Duguid, "Old Bob" a pensioner, lived in it and then about 1915, it was occupied by the McDonald family. Mr McDonald was a saddler and his only daughter, Mary, married local power board employee, Maurie Brown, who was a well-known cricketer. In the 1920s, Fred Proctor and his wife and two children lived in the house and it was then occupied for many years by the late Mrs Elizabeth Hornblow until she died there in November, 1948. The property passed to her son, Mr S. Beetson who sold it to Otaki dental surgeon, Mr H. Jackson, in 1949. Besides Mr Jackson, Mr Boyd, the optometrist, had rooms there before moving to a property further along the street.
	Another old house in the same area was moved to Waitarere for use as a medical centre in 1979. It was part of the fire station property. Apart from its residential status, it was used by Mr Loyd Twigden, a physiotherapist, Mr Boyd, and Mr W. Unwin, another physiotherapist.
	Second in a 1908 race on Lake Horowhenua was this crew consisting of: Mrs H. Ambler, Mrs W. Clark, Mr Arthur Smart,cox. Note jetty and boat house with grandstand on top capable of holding 200 spectators.
	For 21 years Levin's motor racing track on the Levin racecourse drew thousands of people to the town. Local enthusiasts, included the late Mr Vic Hudson, Arnold Stafford and Ron Frost, together with many others who were far-sighted enough to realise the financial boost such a venture would give to the town. It was on January 14, 1956 that the first race meeting was held on the Levin Motor Racing Circuit when more than 20 events catered for motorcycles, saloon cars and sports cars as well as for racing cars. Lines of cars were waiting for the gates to open before 7am although the racing was not due to start until 10 o'clock. The day was also of special note to motor racing enthusiasts as Levin's circuit was the first ever in New Zealand especially made just for motor racing. For the first fixture, the promoters secured entries from leading drivers and riders throughout New Zealand, including such well known names as Rod Coleman (star of serveral Isle of Man TT contests) Dean Hollier, Syd Jensen and of course, Levin's own stars, Ron Frost and Arnold Stafford. The day was a huge success with an enthusiastic crowd of more then 15,000 attending.
	The first boatshed at Lake Horowhenua, about the site of present yacht club building.

Identification

Date

March 1981