In the dead of night, sometime in 1983/1984, two trainee radio technicians crept out of the staff hostel at the Himatangi Radio transmitting station and out into the darkness. Making their way to the main road they carefully (but not very quietly) removed the AA sign pointing towards the government communications station- stopping only to dive into the bushes every time a car drove past. Their mission complete, they snuck into the hostel and carefully hid the sign.

This AA sign remained a carefully guarded secret until 2016. The station had long gone- satellite communications led to it being obsolete and it was closed down in 1993, but a control panel and other equipment survived at the MAVtech Museum in Foxton. It now hangs from the ceiling and points the way to the radio exhibit. 

How many other road signs succumbed to pranks and hijinks in the decades the station operated? Nobody knows for sure- but given the stories we hear it probably wasn't just the one!

Penciled on back: “42 Oxford Street, Levin looking south from near Queen Street intersection. Made by B. Eykel, Horticultural Research Centre, Levin. Negative on file H.H.S.”

Stamped on back with black ink – Horowhenua Historical Society. Acc. No. Date 20/10/90

See also – Acc. #2000.269 (Traffic Survey, set of 25 colour photos)

The eastern side of Oxford Street, Levin, looking south towards the Bath Street lights, 1990. Taken at 4:45pm this photograph shows the large volume of traffic on Oxford Street which is also State Highway One. The two storied building which was the Arcadia Hotel is visible at the end of the business premises at the Bath Street intersection.

1 Colour photo print copy, mounted

See also 2000.269 Collectin (Traffic Survey, set of 25 colour photos)

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

Inscription on reverse reads: “Queen St construction.”

A steam roller towing a road scraper being used during the construction of Queen Street.

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