Who are the people in this magic lantern slide? Where is this house? Why is there so much mud? And, most importantly, had anyone heard of firearms safety? The child in the picture must be hoping that the gun isn't loaded.

If anyone can answer these questions (or can decipher the writing on this slide) please let the MAVtech Museum know! In the absence of any answers we can see why this slide is important: many family photographs and postcards show groups outside of houses. With land needing to be broken in, families outside their properties were seen as a kind of colonial pride.

What they are holding also speaks volumes about how people saw themselves (or at least, how they wanted to be seen). The man is holding a gun and is seen as a powerful provider. The boy holds a hammer- has he been helping with the work? The lady holds a book (a Bible perhaps? This was common for womens' photographs in Western countries back then). And the young lady looks ready to go to school or church in her neat hat and tidy clothing. These themes were often used in professional photographs and subconsciously spilled over into many early snapshots. 

Mind you- this could also be a professional photograph.

Also, this is a lantern slide, designed to be projected onto a wall. Unlike a personal photo album, these  slides were usually viewed as a large group. Extended family? A soldier overseas in the First World War? (the Dunedin Photographic Society took photographs of families that soldier relatives could then view near the front. These were all magic lantern slides.)

Photographs are often seen as perfect windows into the past but this one holds more questions than answers! 

Inscription on back: Mrs MacDonald with Flora’s love December 1902

Formal head to waist studio photograph of Flora McDonald. Wearing dark blouse with large ribbon bow over high necked undergarment. Hair down.

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

Update from plaque in Main Street, Foxton.

The view from Clyde Street dates from the early 1900s, prior to 1905. It was in that year that the old Bank of New Zealand building (next to the first telegraph pole on the left) was burnt down. Whytes Hotel is on the left and on the other side of White Street is the Red Store of M H Walker. A flag flies on the Post Office Hotel. On the right a group stands outside the building which was built as the Bank of Australasia and in the photograph is probably a doctor's surgery. It was also used by the Salvation Army Red Shield Club before it was burnt down.

Main Street, Foxton, looking south from Clyde Street intersection, c.1900. A group of people are gathered on the footpath while a girl dressed in white stands on the road . A gas streetlight stands on the corner.

Also large mounted copy

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

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.”

Ten scullers and an official pose during the Manawatu Sculling Handicap 1909.

Photograph is in fair condition – torn at edges

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

Photograph taken by Leslie Adkin on 1 January 1913 of Maud Herd standing by the Ohau River. She is holding a fishing rod, net and a fish she has just caught.

From: Collection at Te Papa - online at http://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/42105

2 copies

Rope works at Foxton (“Jam factory”) in Johnston Street/Peter Robinson stripper keeper/horse and cart loaded withfibre/ Flax leak stacked and fibre on rails/Seaview gardens behind?

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

Donated by E M Grimwood of Linton and Fred Allerby.

Poplar flaxmill cutters pose in front of a stand of flax c.1919. Those in the photograph are from left to right Jack Rountree, Fred Rickerby, Fred Allerby, Charlie Morgan, George Rankin, Harry Morgan (son of Charlie), Jack Bradbury and Carl Lumquist.

2 copies

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

A4 black and white photocopy.

Printed at bottom of original photograph - GREEN LEAF CUTTING. POPLAR MILL.

“Flaxies” green leaf cutters at “Poplar Mill”, c.1910. This photograph shows eight unidentified men among the flax.

A4 black and white photocopy.

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