More Info →Page 35: 50th jubilee commemoration supplement

Object type:Multi-Page Document

Description: 1) Case of the Model T fire engine.
Most people brought up in Levin will remember the town's Model T Ford fire engine. It was with the pride of Levin when it was first purchased, coming right after the manually and horse-drawn equipment, but later it was to suffer at the hands of the scornful and finally ended up in the hands of some young men, who bought it and used it for a trip round the North Island. During this trip it called at Levin.

2) Nursery play centre.
The need for a children's play centre in Levin was first realised by a small group of women, headed by Mrs. H. B. Burdekin, a former mayoress. They could see the valuable service such an organisation could render in the community.

3) Guides first known as Peace Scouts.
The Levin Girl Guide movement was preceded by what was known as the Girls Peace Scout Company. This was brought to Levin in May, 1919. Peace Scouts were introduced to New Zealand by Colonel Cosgrove, a New Zealander who had fought in the South African War.

4) Rifle shooting club dates back earlier than 1908.
The Levin Rifle Club was formed prior to 1908. Nothing definite is on record until that date when Mr. W. Francis was elected president. The late Mr. Tom Brown was secretary. Patron was the late Mr. W. H. Field, M.P. for the Otaki electorate, who was always interested in the club's functions and rifle shooting generally. He donated the Field Shield, which is still competed for by clubs in his own electorate. The business people of Levin, including the first mayor, Mr. B. R. Gardener, donated all the trophies.

5) Was engineer and musician in town's earliest days.
Very few of the early settlers had any knowledge of engineering. Their salvation was the arrival of the late Mr. James Rose, who had done everything from mending clocks to blacksmithing and driving the engine for Bartholomew's Mill.

6) Tramping in the Tararuas.
The lure of the mountains is timeless. It is therefore, not surprising to note that before the Levin-Waiopehu Tramping Club came into existence there were the few enthusiasts who had been exploring the adjacent Tararua Ranges.