Explore - Kete Horowhenua

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Murray's Jewellers- Cinema Advertising Slide

New Zealand's marriage rate was high throughout the 1950s and, after a small decline in the early 1960s, climbed steadily until the early 1970s. This meant that many functions centres, jewellers and dress makers used weddings in their advertising. Murray's Jewellers was no exception!

The photograph in the slide was a popular wedding style up until the 1970s. Until then, it was common for couples to have wedding photographs taken in a studio instead of the actual wedding venue. 'On location' photography became popular in the 1940s but the studios persisted for a while afterwards.

No details can be found at the time of writing about Murray's Jewellers but their address suggests they traded in Levin- as does the fact that this slide was found amongst others from the town. This is one of many slides MAVtech has from Murray's Jewellers so they must have either been very popular or wanted to be!

Save Our River Trust Easter Egg Hunt- Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom 2024

On the 28th of March 2024, Save Our River Trust and Horowhenua Pop-Up Eats combined forces to host a community Easter Egg Hunt with the support of Foxton New World and Foxton Barber and Beauty. Over five hundred people attended, and hundreds of children searched for the hidden rabbits at the Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park.

Local photographer Jacob Brookie took this photograph of the Easter Bunny awarding chocolate treats at Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom. Save Our River Trust volunteer Pou is taking a photograph and Horowhenua District Council staff member Grayson is handing out chocolate eggs behind the table.

Jacob used a 1958 Mamiyaflex C2 to take this photograph, part of a series about Foxton's volunteers made with vintage cameras. Jacob climbed the stairs to Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom's overhead walkway to take this picture. When he did, the event was almost over and the table, once full of treats with more waiting to be placed, is almost empty.

Cinema Announcement Slide- Union Jack and Britannia

MAVtech's collection holds many cinema slides- but this is one of the most intriguing. Unlike almost every other slide it has no writing on it (including on the edges) and is striking arranged with lots of 'blank space'.

What was it used for?

It is impossible to be certain- but it probably celebrated the victory of the British Empire after World War One. The slide was found in a box with many other First World War slides, including one celebrating the victory. Although New Zealand's flag was flown by ships since 1869 (and was 'official' since 1902) it wasn't formally flown in battle until the Second World War, so the presence of the Imperial Union Jack would have made a lot of sense on a local slide.

(The New Zealand flag was flown during the Gallipoli campaign at Quinn's Post- however this was unofficial and not ordered by the military command).

Britannia, the human personification of Britain, sits at the bottom of the slide.

Cinema Announcement Slide- Season's Greetings

In the mid 20th century cinemas projected transparent slides onto their screen for a variety of reasons- mostly for advertising. However, the cinema management often used these slides for messages and announcements. This slide gives a festive greeting to its viewers. Given the lack of 'branding' we guess that it was used by an independent cinema rather than a large chain.

It was probably made and used between the 1930s and the 1950s.

Armistice Day / Peace Parade, 1918

Typed on damaged piece of paper sellotaped to back: “Perhaps 1918 Peace Procession. Miss M. McKegg was the successful Carnival Queen (Later Mrs Easton). Mr Vickers dressed as John Bull.”

Children lead the Armistice Day Peace Parade, along Oxford Street and west down Queen Street in 1918. The photograph is takenacross the Oxford Street and Queen Street intersection looking west towards the Levin Hotel. There are flags across the intersection and hanging from buildings.

1 B&W photo print, mounted (composite)

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

His Mother

His mother Dora (Theodora McCutcheon) on her wedding day.

Eight Children and Rabbits c.1920

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.”

de Ridder Diamond Wedding Celebrations

Names for photograph taken from attached paper

People gathered at the diamond wedding celebrations of Mr and Mrs J F de Ridder. Those in the photograph include:- Bob Sorenson, Hettie de Ridder, Dick Hayes, Edward de Ridder, Mark Perreau, Amy Anderson, Caroline Sorenson, Ethil Robinson, Miss Clarke, Evelyn Jensen, Winnifred Neville, Lionel de Ridder, Mr Linklater, Merv Robinson, Flora Newson, Ken Robinson, Harold Jensen, Arthur Neville, Sid Jensen, Doug de Ridder.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

'Past & Present' Librarians (1951 - 1987) at Shannon Centenary, 1987

Written on back with blue and black ballpoint pens - Shannon Librarians 1951 – 1987 Taken at Shannon Centenary April 1987 1974. 81 1981 – 1951 – 74 M. Clough P. Locke (centre) B. Burke Holding Res Forms

‘Past & Present’ librarians (1951 – 1987) at Shannon Centenary, 1987 1 Colour photo print

Left to Right: Mavis Clough (1974 – 1981) Pam Locke (1981 – {1996}) Barbara Burke (1951 – 1974)

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

Group in Dutch dress opening of De Molen

Group in Dutch dress at opening of De Molen setting up speakers Dodeel B. Flax stripper museum in back.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”

Lunar New Year / Chinese New Year 2021

Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year 2021 celebrations at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō.

Pictured: Lyra de la Croix (aged 4) doing the dragon craft for Chinese New Year celebrations. Lyra's face has been painted by Daizy Designs Facepainting.