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Tragedy struck Levin on July 16, 1965 when a bus carrying members of the Horowhenua Floral Art and Garden Club to Hunterville crashed at Rata, killing five women and injuring many others.

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It was a sad moment for the town, many of whose residents had friends or relatives in the bus.

Tragedy struck Levin on July 16, 1965 when a bus carrying members of the Horowhenua Floral Art and Garden Club to Hunterville crashed at Rata, killing five women and injuring many others.

It was a sad moment for the town, many of whose residents had friends or relatives in the bus.

Tragedy struck Levin on July 16, 1965 when a bus carrying members of the Horowhenua Floral Art and Garden Club to Hunterville crashed at Rata, killing five women and injuring many others.

It was a sad moment for the town, many of whose residents had friends or relatives in the bus.

Comment from Alan Steel in 2025 via Digital NZ - "This is not the bus involved in the Rata 1955 fatal bus accident. That bus was crushed by a large tree and flattened. "

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.

Photograph from The Chronicle 75th Jubilee Supplement.

Caption reads:

Charter members of the Rotary Club of Levin South, 1966:

Back row: R.T. Poulton, G.D. Todd, F.G. Davies, M. Winiata, Rev. J.H. Vickery, R.E. Smitheram, G. Sinkinson, G. McKenzie.

Middle row: W.A. Mullan, E.J. Stevens, M. Carey, J.W. Collins, M.J. Cook, A.W. Harrison, A.C. Hurliman, Dr P.A. Robertson, J. Eccles.

Front row: C.J.C. Wright, T.J. Laurenson, R.W. Jackson, Dr E.L. Gillies, R.D. Benge, S.L. Lumsden, J.J. Lewis

Monday January 12, 1953 Mayor A.W. Paton operates a mechanical digger under the guidance of Mr N. Maddigan to take the first bite in the start of Levin's sewerage scheme.

1953

On the truck are Cr. A.J.H. Allen (left), the Mayor Mr A.W. Paton (right), and borough engineer Mr E.J. Henshall (head and shoulders at centre).

Later Mr H.E. Herring jumped up on the truck and spoke in criticism of technical aspects of the scheme.

Another 75th celebration. This one back in 1965 when Levin School celebrated it jubilee.

At right, the then oldest living former pupil, Mrs D Higgins, nee Stuckey, cuts the cake assisted by committee member, Mrs J Kidd.

An early World War II photo of the Horowhenua Pipe Band.

Note that the pipers and drummers are in ordinary dress while the brum major wears air force uniform - later adopted by the whole band for a short period.

Map from the Jubilee Publication. Pits are numbered:

1

Oxford Street - Bath Street twin pits

2

Tiro Tiro Road pit

3

Oxford Street pit

4

Hokio Beach Road pit

5

McKenzie Street pit

6

Bath Street pit

7

Arapaepae Road pit

8

Bartholomew Road pit

9

Coventry Street pit, north end

10

Coventry Street pit, south end

11

Tararua Road pit

12

Horowhenua County Council's pit

13

Collier Contracts pit

During one filming session, the amateur actors received an unexpected ducking when a 100 year old canoe sank beneath them on Lake Horowhenua.

In The Chronicle 75th Jubilee Supplement, caption:

"Wilson's Bush, some of the last remaining native timber in the borough, fell, like the rest, to the bushman's saw.
This area off MacArthur Street, was cleared for subdivision and roading purposes."

In The Chronicle 75th Jubilee Supplement, caption:

"Wilson's Bush, some of the last remaining native timber in the borough, fell, like the rest, to the bushman's saw.
This area off MacArthur Street, was cleared for subdivision and roading purposes."

Pioneers in passenger transport. Coming to Levin in 1895, Messrs Bob and Jim Bradley found employment breaking in horses.

Later they built this livery stable in Oxford Street and gave the town its first passenger transport service.

Subsequently they bought cars and operated a taxi business up to the time of their retirement after World War II.

Levin Central Bowling Club, February 1973: Three sisters-in-law team uip to form a winning combination with their skip.

From left: Mesdames J., M. and R Haley, Mrs E. Norris, skip.

All three of the Haleys had retired to Levin in the early 70s.

This old Levin Presbyterian Church hall was shifted to Waitarere 1972 to be used as a Sunday school and hall. The 1,000 sq.ft hall was given to the Waitarere Presbyterian Church by the Levin parish, after completion of the new Church centre at Levin.

Abraham & Williams, Auctioneers advertised 8 farms totalling 350 acres for sale by auction on 2 October 1919.

Written on the newspaper clipping are the successful purchasers and the amount paid:

2 J. McDonald £79

3 W.H. Rolston £85/5/-

4 -- Collis £75/5/-

5 J. Bandman £81/10/-

6 J. Leydon £88/10/-

7 R.D. Rolston £88

8 Spencer (?) £74

Taken from a photo published on Wed. Nov. 1, 1972 showing Mr Norman Kirk, Leader of Labour Party with M. Hancok [? Hancock], Manawatu Labour Candidate, Mr Roberts (the Mayor) and Mrs M. McMillan.

Back in 1964, The Chronicle was printed on a Cossar reel - fed flatbed - very different from today's high speed offset press. Pictured: Mr G. Reakes, who spent over 30 years with the company.

No matter what the year, paper boys seem to look all alike as they carry out their wrapping job to ensure delivery of The Chronicle. This lot were photographed in 1964.

February 1973: Survey of pre-school children at Plunket Rooms, Levin. Ross Elliott, then 2½, was being checked by Health Department officer, Mrs E Moffat.