This photograph was taken on the 14th of August 2022 by Foxton photographer Jacob Brookie. It shows spectators observing the 29th annual Foxton Loop Race- an event organised by 'Welly Paddlers' which sees entrants paddling their boats around the Foxton River Loop.

Jacob used a 1930s Agfa Billy 4.5 to take this photograph. This was an amateur camera whose lens folded into the body using bellows for easy storage. Jacob borrowed this camera from the collection of Foxton's MAVtech Museum which has a range of vintage photographic equipment as part of it's collection of audio-visual technology.

Before most families had a motor vehicle, getting around by bicycle was as much for transport as it was for exercise. Cochran's Cycles is advertising the Raleigh series of bikes in this slide. Raleigh was formed in 1885 and still makes bicycles today- making it one of the oldest surviving brands in the bike business.

Cochran's Cycles had a float in the 1955 Foxton Centennial Parade and this slide would date to around this era.

Written on back - To Wish Mr & Mrs Sunley The compliments of the season From Mr & Mrs J. Blake 1951-1952

Post Office, Levin, 1951

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

1) Useless pit rapidly becoming eyesore.

Legacy from the construction of the railway is the long pit skirting the main street of Levin from Bath Street to the Liverpool Street level crossing. The presence of this pit has for years spoiled the appearance of this part of the borough.

2) Early settlers brought that love of rugby which has never diminished.

The early settlers brought with them their love of sport, notably rugby, which was played right from the earliest days of settlement. Rugby on a more organised basis came with the formation of the Horowhenua Rugby Union. The union was founded on April 29, 1893, at Manakau with Levin, Shannon, Manakau and Otaki clubs making up the union.

3) Bikes were his business.

One of Levin's earliest, Mr. Ted Henderson, set up his own little industry- supplying firewood to the Longburn Freezing Works. He had three teams and 14 men in those days and did good business. He got the timber cut to for 4/- a cord. After that he did logging work for Prouses.