Possums are a massive problem in New Zealand. Today, over 30 million of the mammals eat through around 9000 tonnes of vegetation a night. This bounty scheme from 1951 was the first large scale attempt to control the pests. Hunters brought in the possums ears and a strip of fur to claim their two shillings and sixpence bounty. Eight million such bounties were claimed in the ten years the scheme ran.

But the plan was failure. Three quarters of the possums 'killed' were found on farms, near towns or even as roadkill on the highways. Few were caught in the forests where the greatest need was. When the scheme began, possums occupied just over half of the country. When it ended, over three quarters of Aotearoa had possums. Hardly the mark of success!

This slide was shown in Paraparaumu cinemas- but slides just like it would have also been screened in Horowhenua. Note the mistake in calling the animals 'Opossums'- these are the American marsupials, but the name was commonly used here! 

Cooking with gas became popular in New Zealand from the 1880s, with local Councils often providing the infrastructure and service. To make sure the service remained profitable, Councils advertised the benefits of gas to those still using coal ranges.

The Levin Borough Council used this advertising slide in cinemas to spread the word about the benefits of gas cooking. Other slides in the series (available to view on Kete) talk about the virtues of gas for hot water supply.

Local Government lost control of gas (and electricity) supply during government reforms in 1989.

The passage of time changes how we view images from the past. At the time (probably the 1960s) the Levin Borough Council was encouraging residents to use their gas services. Councils managed the majority of New Zealand's gas supply until the 1989 local government reforms, with many managing electricity too.

In many respects this slide has not aged well. Asides from the sexism of 'Smart Women Cook With Gas' there is the somewhat awkward image of a lady dressed up for a social evening having a quick fry up on the gas stove! But it must have appeared 'natural' at the time.....

Although many cinema advertising slides were taken out by businesses, this form of promotion was also used by charities, clubs, government departments and the cinemas themselves. This one is part advertisement, part public service announcement. 

Formed in 1906, the Levin Borough Council administered local government in the town until it's 1989 merger with Foxton and the surrounding area to form the Horowhenua District Council. But, that wasn't the only change.

Until 1989 many Councils, including Levin, managed the supply of gas in their areas. Which is why the local Borough Council paid for this cinema slide to share the virtues of gas heating!  They even had a 'Gas Committee" in the 1980s!

Many of the former Council's gas documents can be found here https://archivescentral.org.nz/agents/corporate-body/levin-borough-council

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Probably early Horowhenua County Council.”

Stamped on back with black ink - Horowhenua Historical Society Acc. No. Date

This photo used in book – ‘Horowhenua County and its People’, page 133, with people identified as follows - (Standing L to R) – G. McBeath, J. Malcolm (Inspector), H. Freeman, J. McCulloch (Clerk), H.J. Richards, J. Prouse, G.N. Stephenson. (Seated L to R) – W.H. Simcox, J. Davies (Chairman), F.W. Venn.

Horowhenua County Council, 1901. Standing L to R – G McBeath, J Malcolm (Inspector), H Freeman, J McCulloch (Clerk), H J Richards, J Prouse, G N Stephenson. Seated L to R – W H Simcox, J Davies (Chairman) F W Venn.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

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

New Zealand Shipping Co fibre store fire, western side of Main Street, Foxton 1933. In front of the burning building is the Foxton Public Library the FoxtonCouncil Chambers.

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

Horowhenua Visitor Information Centre entrance at 93 Oxford Street Levin. Margaret Thompson outside the building

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The Station Tearooms and Information Centre, Main Street, Foxton

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Foxton Museum, formerly the Court House. The rear of the Foxton Police Station can be seen in the background.

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

Copy of F.T.Series post cards of H Plimmer Wellington

Old wooden Council Chambers from on the western side of Main Street, c.1900.

Postcard and copy

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

New Zealand Shipping Co fibre store fire, western side of Main Street, Foxton 1933. In front of the burning building is the Foxton Public Library the FoxtonCouncil Chambers and the Foxton Town Hall.

Two copies

See also f1999.0669

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Crane lifting a section of the Palmerston tramway engine replica into place in front of Court House Museum 9 April 1994.

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Bystanders watch as a crane lifts the Palmerston tramway engine replica into place in front of Court House Museum 9 April 1994

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

Crane lifting a section of the Palmerston tramway engine replica into place in front of the Court House Museum 9 April 1994.

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

Crane preparing to lift Palmerston tramway engine replica in front of Court House Museum, Foxton, 9 April 1994.

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

Crane lifting the boiler of Palmerston tramway engine replica in front of Court House Museum, Foxton, 9 April 1994.

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

Foxton Town Hall under construction, 1926. In this photograph scaffolding surrounds the building which is having its roof put on. The building to the left is the Supper Room.

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

Foxton Town Hall under construction, 1926. In this photograph scaffolding surrounds the building which is having its roof put on. To the right is the rear of the Court House.

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

Foxton Town Hall under construction, 1926. In this photograph scaffolding surrounds the building which is having its roof put on. To the right is the rear of the Court House.

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

Laser print of photograph with the caption “Foxton Gas Works 1908”. In this photograph three men in the foreground are examining plans while two men in the background stand with their hands on their hips.

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Workers prepare to begin placement of replica of Palmerston tramway engine in front of the Court House Museum Foxton 9.4.1994. A truck with replica parts is parked to the left of a truck with a crane. In the background is the Town Hall.

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

Very early view of the Foxton Borough Council Chambers building on the eastern side of Main Street.

This sepia toned postcard is fragile and in very poor condition.

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

Foxton borough Council 1958 at Mayors table. Those in this photograph are from left to right:-

Standing:- V P Burr, S G Small, R L White, H Dustin, W C Kane, J W Prew, G L A King and R Fraser.

Seated:- E C Murphy, (Deputy Mayor), E A Field, (Mayor), J D C Willmott, (Town Clerk) E M Raikes, (Clerk).

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

Names on reverse of photograph

Foxton Borough Council, 1959. Seated at the Mayor’s table are from left to right:- S Morris, G L A King (Mayor) and J C Willmot (Town Clerk). Stand behind them are from left to right:- L Bartosh, Melvie Evans, E Murphy, D Morris and R Coburn.

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

Names on reverse of photograph

Foxton Borough Council in Council Chamber 19 March 1962. Those in the photograph are clockwise from left to right:- Miss M V Evans, L Bartosh, E C Murphy, S F Morris (Deputy Mayor), L G W King (Mayor – Assumed office 19.1.62 Vice late E A Field) J D C Willmott (Town Clerk March 1958 – March 1962), R D Coburn and R D Morris. Councillor J W Prew was absent when this photograph was taken.

NOTE: Wide photograph did not allow full scanning.

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

Foxton Fire Brigade assembled outside Foxton Memorial Hall 1970. From Left to right:- Back Row – J Low, R Taylor, V Betty, J Betty, E Pratt, G Davenport, W Chase Centre Row – Ruruku, I Williams, J Stewart, T Betty, J Reid, B Horn, L Cootes Front Row- H Graham, K Betty, C Carmont, R Sanson, M Hirini, G Jones, G Dunn.

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Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “(2) Mrs C.W. Shirriffs Longburn. Phone 82.911 (P. Nth)”

Written on back with black ballpoint pen: “Back Row: L-R Ted Spencer, Roy Hook, J.T. Bovis Bob Downes, Tom Thwaites (chemist. Front Row:- L-R J. Curran (Pub), A.E. Hyde, E. Butt, W.H. Gunning J. Curran (Farmer) c.1925 – 27”

Written on back with black felt-tip pen: ” J.T. Bovis”

Written on back (top right corner) with red felt-tip pen: “84”

Shannon Borough Council, c.1925-27. Those in the photograph are from left to right:-

Back Row: Ted Spencer, Roy Hook, J.T. Bovis, Bob Downes, Tom Thwaites (chemist).

Front Row: J. Curran (publican), A.E. Hyde, E. Butt, W.H. Gunning, J. Curran (farmer).

1 B&W photo print, mounted

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

Reference on back to see Ted Murphy’s notes

Foxton Borough Council seated in Council Chambers c. 1955 At the left of the photograph are Douglas Barron, William Boyd, Vincent Burr and edward J Martin. At the table are the Borough Foreman and Town Clerk, Jack Roberts, Henry Podmore, Mayor, and Robert Cox, Town Clerk. To the right of the table are, Ngaire Ross, office assistant, L George A King, S G R (Bob) Small, Robert Fraser, Reginald Read and William Titcombe.

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L G A KIng (Mayor) and M E Perreau (former Mayor) outside the Foxton Borough Chambers during the 75th Jubilee celebrations of Foxton Borough, June 1963. At the time of the jubilee Mr Perreau (then aged 84) was the only living former Mayor of Foxton.

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Foxton Borough Council 1965-1968 seated at tables in Chambers. Those in this photograph are from left to right:- Councillors R D Coburn, D M Ross, K B Swiggs, E C Murphy, F Amundsen (Borough Foreman), L G A King (Mayor), C J Gill (Town Clerk), Councillors B O Barber, D N Hunt, C M Cook and T Terry.

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