Every photograph is a window into the past- and sometimes what you see surprises you. Children singing a waiata about being kind to animals seems like a modern day school lesson, but the writing on this slide is from 1924! In the 1920s only a few private schools taught the grammer of Te Reo. Tragically, all the other schools saw speaking Te Reo as a caning offence. Was this slide of one of the private schools- or a smaller group or club? We just don't know.

Or maybe these children were located at Waiata Shores, near Auckland (although even then, few schools used Te Reo names for locations back in the 1920s).

Art historian Walter Benjamin coined a term called 'optical unconsciousness' and part of that is seeing a photograph in hindsight. The people in it do not know the future, but we do. Whatever this photograph depicted it seems like it belongs in our present than in it's past.

But the past is full of surprises!

Inscription on reverse reads: “Ronald J Law (Shannon), Josie Law (Mrs Aitchison), Nancy Adkin, Mrs Dora Law (nee Adkin), Mrs Maude Adkin, Clyde Adkin at Levin A & P Show at Levin racecourse, 1928

Members of the Law and Adkin families alongside a car at the Levin Show held at the Levin Racecourse 1928. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Ronald J Law, Josie Law (later Mrs Aitchison), Nancy Adkin, Mrs Maude Adkin, Mrs Dora Law (nee Adkin), and Jeffrey Law.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on paper attached below photo – Borough Councillors & Staff 1927

Written on back – Borough Council, 1927 Mortensen – W.G. Clark – F. Parker – ...?... – F. Roe – (H. Channings, overseer) – Hobson (mayor) – Ramsay (town clerk) – ...?... – C. Keedwell Road-building Machine

Borough Councillors with road-building machine (steam roller), 1927

Left to Right: M. Mortensen, W.G. Clark, F.E. Parker, ...?... , F. Roe, H. Channings (overseer), T. Hobson (mayor), Ramsay (town clerk), ...?... , C.S. Keedwell.

Plus an unidentified man standing on the machine in the shadow.

See also – Acc# 2000.018.0242 (copy made from this orginal and mounted). See also – Acc# 2001.013.0001 (same machine and people seen from a different view).

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Photo appears to have been glued in an album and removed.

Penciled on back: “Harry Whibley”

Five boys with cricket gear standing in front of house in Vogel Street, c.1920. Those in the photograph are from left to right:- Unknown, Brian Clayton, Harry Wibbley, Hughie Curran, Unknown.

1 B&W photo print

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Back row Harry Whibley, Gwen Stuart-Forbes Lf to rt, 1920’s Jacky Charles, Clarry Satherly, Pearl Satherly, Sandy Logan, Athur Satherly & Brian Clayton”

NOTE – spelling: Satherly (on back of photo) but Satherley (on info sheet)

Eight children in fancy dress representing Ireland at Empire Day celebrations, c.1920. Harry's mother was a dressmaker (who owned a camera" and his father worked at flax mill. Harry was wearing a green waistcoat and Gwen wore a green dress and had shamrocks in her hair. Costumes made by Mrs Wibbley.

Photo taken behind present Fire Station Grey Street, Shannon.

The children pose with Harry Whibley’s six pet rabbits. Those in the photograph are from left to right:-

Back Row : Harry Wibbley and Gwen Stuart-Forbes. Front Row: Jackie Charles, Clarry Satherley, Pearl Satherley, Sandy Logan, Arthur Satherley & Brian Clayton.

1 Colour photo print, copy (of sepia tone original)

NOTE – spelling: Satherly (on back of photo) but Satherley (on info sheet)

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Visit of William Ferguson Massey to Levin to open the War Memorial Gate.

Shows Massey (centre left) standing in a group of people outside the gate, as others walk under it.

Through the arch of the gate, a flag reading "HUIA" is visible.

From National Library. ID: 1/4-023427-G

The Weraroa Memorial Gates in Levin. These were opened by the Prime Minister William Massey on Wednesday 21 March, 1923 at 11.30am.

From: http://archivescentral.org.nz/exhibitions/topics/show/120926-ww1-councils-do-their-bit-remembering-the-dead