Looking across ploughed fields to the Tararua foothills, from Rangitane Road, Opiki

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

Ploughed fields at Tane Road, Opiki.

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

Ploughed fields at Tane Road, Opiki. In the background are the Tararua Ranges.

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

Twin lambs staying close to their mother in the fields in Tane Road, Opiki

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

Lunch time for lambs, Tane Road, Opiki.

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

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Opening Akers Toll Bridge 1918. Refer book – From Fibre to Food, Opiki.”

Penciled on back: “PNPL FX123 On the newly completed Opiki toll-bridge, Jan. 1918. 2nd from left, Joseph Dawson, bridge-builder holding Mavis Henderson (3 1/2 yrs). 4th man from left is A.W. Hogg, Masterton. Woman with baby, centre, is Mrs Elsie Henderson with son Lewis (4 months). Her husband, Ernest, is at far right, he was blacksmith at Tane Mill & there fashioned all steel rods for the bridge. Next Elsie is Mrs Whitewick, then her husband – cooks at Tane Mill cookhouse. Note tramlines for horse-drawn flax wagons.”

Book (From Fibre to Food, Opiki) gives caption for photo - A group of local residents and visitors on the newly completed swing bridge, January 1918. The book also identifies the people mention above, and the 3rd woman (at right) as Miss Taylor.

Cost between $4,600 – $5,200 – mentioned page 26, in book ‘From Fibre to Food, Opiki’.

The opening of Rangitane Suspension Bridge, at Opiki inJanuary 1918. The man second from the left is Joseph Dawson and the small girl he is holding is Mavis Henderson (aged 3 1/2 years). The man 4th from the left is A W Hogg from Masterton. The woman holding a baby is Mrs Elsie Henderson and the baby is her son Lewis. Her husband Ernest is at the far right of the photograph. He was a blcksmith at Tane flaxmill and fashioned all the steel rods for the bridge. The woman next to Elsie Henderson is Mrs Whitewick whose husband also worked at the Tane Mill.

The bridge was purhased in 1919 by Mr Hugh Akers and made a Toll Bridge in 1925. This bridge closed in November 1969 when new Opiki bridge opened.

1 B & W print

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

Penciled on back: “PNPL / OPK4 Construction of new Opiki bridge 1969 (Opiki in foreground)

Typed on piece of paper - Progress on the construction of the new Opiki bridge, which replaced the Opiki toll bridge. Photo 1969. Costs were shared between Horowhenua and Kairanga Counties. Palmerton North print, OPK4 Public lib.

Cost $165,000 ($200,000 including the approach roads) – mentioned page 26, in book ‘From Fibre to Food, Opiki’.”

The new bridge at Opiki under construction in 1969. This photograph is taken from the southern side of the Manawatu River.

1 B&W photo print copy

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

Penciled on back - The old toll bridge over the flooding Manawatu River at Opiki. Thurs. May 6, 1971.

Stamped on back with black ink - Horowhenua Historical Society. Acc. No. 137 Date.

Old Opiki toll bridge & flood, 1971 1 B&W photo print

The old toll bridge over the flooding Manawatu River at Opiki.

See also – #.0171 (New Opiki bridge & flooded road, 1971) both photos taken from same place.

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

Penciled on back - Flooding causing the Opiki road to be closed. Thurs. May 6, 1971.

Stamped on back with black ink - Horowhenua Historical Society. Acc. No. 137 Date.

New Opiki bridge & flooded road, 1971 1 B&W photo print

Manawatu River floods across road at new Opiki bridge, causing the road to be closed.

See also – #.0172 (Old Opiki toll bridge & flood, 1971) both photos taken from same place.

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

The Horowhenua District Council maintains a register of Heritage Buildings:

Inscription on reverse reads: “15-5-63”

The shingle road, northern approach to the Opiki toll bridge. Twin brick towers support steel cables which support the bridge. In the left background is the chimney of the then demolished flour mill. The twin towers have inscribed panels on them each telling of the history of the bridge.

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

Shannon School 75th Jubilee souvenir, being a survey of the history of the school and district.