Visit of William Ferguson Massey to Levin to open the War Memorial Gate.

Shows Massey (centre left) standing in a group of people outside the gate, as others walk under it.

Through the arch of the gate, a flag reading "HUIA" is visible.

From National Library. ID: 1/4-023427-G

The Weraroa Memorial Gates in Levin. These were opened by the Prime Minister William Massey on Wednesday 21 March, 1923 at 11.30am.

From: http://archivescentral.org.nz/exhibitions/topics/show/120926-ww1-councils-do-their-bit-remembering-the-dead

Penciled on back - Weraroa Reserve prior to widening of Oxford St. Jun. 5, 1971.

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

See also – #.0404 & #.0419

Weraroa Reserve prior to widening of Oxford Street 1 B&W photo print, composite (2 photos joined)

Looking from the reserve across Oxford Street.

See also – #.0404 & #.0419

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

Inscription on reverse reads: “Donated Miss Twistleton”

Copy of photograph used in postcards 1977.011.0003 and 1977.014.0001. This is the photograph of the scene shown in the lower left corner of these postcards and shows activity at the Levin railyard at Weraroa with Prouse’s sawmill in the background.

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

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “chron. Peace Memorial Weraroa Domain. Opened 1922. Demolished for road widening circa 1960’s.”

Peace Memorial, Weraroa Domain which was opened in 1922 and demolished for road widening in the late 1960s.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

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

Printed below original photo with black ink – 1895

Penciled on back – PB S&D 2 Prouse’s Sawmill Present Site of HEPB Depot Photo 1

See also – #.0069 (photo a) & #.0072a & #.0073 (photo b) Acc. #1979.098.0001 (Bryce Photographs) Acc. #2001.108.0001 (enlargement). Acc. #2000.018.0322 (HHS Mounted Collection) similar photo.

Prouse Sawmill 1895 – future H.E.P.B. depot area (Cambridge Street south, between Liverpool Street & Prouse Street). 1 B&W photo print, copy (large)

3 men, 4 saddled horses & (3 ?) dogs (foreground). Sawmill (centre) operated 1891-1907. 2-storey Prouse House (background, right). Bush being felled (background) with Tararua Ranges in distance.

See also – #.0069 (photo a) & #.0072a & #.0073 (photo b) & #.0075 Acc. #1979.098.0001 (Bryce Photographs) Acc. #2001.108.0001 (enlargement). Acc. #2000.018.0322 (HHS Mounted Collection) similar photo.

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

Printed on front of mounting board, top right, with black ink: “P 80”

Penciled on back: “1898 schoolroom from Central Development Farm was moved to Beach Road (Harvey’s Joinery site). Then called Weraroa School. In 1904, as shown in this picture, it was towed along Main Road to Levin School site, where it is still used as the library (NW corner of N. block). Slab fence on right is round Weraroa Domain. A corner of Swainson & Bevan store (Mako Mako Rd / Main Rd corner) appears right. ‘

A tractor towing a school building from the site of Weraroa School in Hokio Beach Road to the Levin School site in Oxford Street in 1904. In this photograph the building is on the main road, just going past the Weraroa domain which is surrounded by a slab fence.To the right Swanson and Bevan’s building can be seen behind the domain fence. On the left a couple travel southwards in a horse drawn gig.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

See also 2000.018.0254 (enlarged duplicate) and 2000.118.0001

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

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “This building was at the corner of Mako Mako Rd. & Oxford St., and was burned down. The late Mr Walter Bull is leaning against post. Not sure of the date, but over 50 years ago. (before 1910) From Mrs Walter Bull.”

This same information is typed on piece of paper and cellotaped to back.

Swainson & Bevan Ltd building, on the south-west corner of Mako Mako Road and Oxford Street at Weraroa before 1910. The wooden building is two storied and has a coloured iron verandah supported by wooden poles. The shop opens onto the corner of the intersection and a gas lamp is suspended from the verandah above the entrance. On Oxford street a man is driving a horse and cart while a man sits astride a horse on Mako Mako Road. Four men stand outside the entrance to the store, the one in shirtsleves leaning against the pole has been identified as Walter Bull,while another man stands beside the horse and rider. 1 Colour photo print, mounted

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

Printed on front of mounting board, top right, with black ink: “P 28”

Written on back with black ballpoint pen: “Horowhenua Historical Society. Moving one-roomed Weraroa School from Hokio Beach Rd, 1904, to Levin School site. Building is passing Weraroa Domain (on right). Building was originally on corner C.D. Farm Road for children of families and staff at Levin State Farm.”

Moving the one-roomed Weraroa School from its site on Hokio Beach Road to the Levin School site in Oxford Street in 1904. The building is passing Weraroa Domain (on right). This building was originally on the corner of C D Farm Road for the children of families and staff at Levin State Farm.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

See also 2000.018.0253 and 2000.118.0001

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

Written with blue ballpoint pen on piece of paper attached to back - Visit of the starboard crew of H.M.S. New Zealand. Local & Boy’s Training Farm cadets. In middle foreground the Levin Troop of the Manawatu Mounted Rifles. 1913

On reverse side of this piece of paper is a photocopy of an article that appeared in “The News”, Wednesday, October 12, 1977 about this event, including a picture of this photo.

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

Crew of HMS New Zealand welcomed outside Levin Railway Station (Weraroa), 1913 1 B&W photo print, mounted (yellowed)

Crew of HMS New Zealand (centre) are lined up in 3 ranks facing the station Local & Boy’s Training Farm cadets (left, beside the station). Levin Troop of the Manawatu Mounted Rifles (foreground). Large crowd (with bicycles, horses & buggies).

Appeared in “The News”, Wednesday, October 12, 1977

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

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “A school group. On the names could be about 1898. Charles Welby would have started school about 1897 at the Queen st. School. Fred ferris was in his late teens in a photo of the Donny at the cross-roads series in 1912.”

Written on piece of paper with black ballpoint pen: “Class of Horowhenua School, Beach Rd. at the Weraroa Town hall (tempory school room). Was sited where the Cosmopoliton Club’s Ward St. car park is now 1990. Photo c. 1898. 1898-c.1914”

Written on another piece of paper (both sides) with blue & black ballpoint pens: “c.1898 not earlier. Class at Weraroa Town Hall (built 1896, demolished) c.1914. The Cosmopoliton Club Ward St. carpark & entrance). Identification other side. Original Mavis Whiley, 8 Roslyn Rd. & Charles Welby, War Vets Home.”

Back Row – Harry Bolton, Hurst, Phil Goldsmith, Alec Adsett, King, Strawbridge, Bill Hanson, Banks, Partridge, Neville Winiata, , Hirst, King, Goldsmith. 2nd Row – ? Hurst, Alick Goldsmith, Chris Akenson, Daphne Inder, ..... Charlotte Adsett, Elsie Adsett, ........ Strawbridge, Bolton, Teacher – Miss Howan. 3rd Row – Bill Henson, Wood, Prior, ? , Wood, ? , Akenson, Sis Welby, Rhodes, ? , ? , ? , Sid Welby, Eti Riki, , B. Strawbridge. Front Row – Chas Williams, Strawbridge, Fred Ferris, Hurst, Charles Welby. Names given by Chas Welby, Mavis Whiley & handed on by Mrs Mavis Whiley.

Children fromHorowhenua,when the school was temporarily situated at the Weraroa Town Hall c.1898. 48 pupils fromthe school which was normally operated from a Beach Road site, are pictured with their lady teacher Miss Howan. The school at Weraroa was built in 1896 and demolished around 1914, and was situated where the Cosmopolitan Club carpark now has its entrance in Ward Street.

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

Penciled on back: ” 62 CH. 1895 (caption) Levin Centenary. Scene from Railway Goods Shed. Prouse Brothers Sawmill 1891-1907. 2 storey Prouse House in back. The Power Board sub-station stands there now 1980.”

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

Prouse Brothers Sawmill, Weraroa, 1895. The sawmill is on the eastern side of the Main Trunk Line. Behind the mill native timber stands with the Tararua Ranges in the background. The two-storied home of James Prouse is visible in the centre right of the photograph. In the foreground are three saddled horses and a man stands at the head of one horse.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

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

Printed below photo, as caption: “Prouse’s Sawmill, 1895 Photographed from the balcony of the Weraroa Hotel.”

Penciled on back: “See also enlargement – (2001.108.0001)”

Prouse’s Sawmill, Weraroa, 1895. Taken from the balcony of the Weraroa Hotel, which is the site of the present day Cosmopolitan Club, this photograph shows the Prouse brothers’ sawmill, and the home of Richard Prouse in the background

1 B&W photo print, mounted

See also – 2000.018.0322 (HHS Mounted Photograph Collection). 2001.108.0001 (enlargement).

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

Printed below original photo with black ink – 1895

Penciled on back – Prouse’s Sawmill Photo 2

See also – #.0069 (photo a) & #.0072a & #.0073 (photo b) Acc. #1979.098.0001 (Bryce Photographs) Acc. #2001.108.0001 (enlargement). Acc. #2000.018.0322 (HHS Mounted Collection) similar photo.

Prouse Sawmill 1895 – future H.E.P.B. depot area (Cambridge Street south, between Liverpool Street & Prouse Street). 1 B&W photo print, copy

3 men, 4 saddled horses & (3 ?) dogs (foreground). Sawmill (centre) operated 1891-1907. 2-storey Prouse House (background, right). Bush being felled (background) with Tararua Ranges in distance.

See also – #.0069 (photo a) & #.0072a & #.0073 (photo b) & #.0076 Acc. #1979.098.0001 (Bryce Photographs) Acc. #2001.108.0001 (enlargement). Acc. #2000.018.0322 (HHS Mounted Collection) similar photo.

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

Weraroa Shopping centre, c.1990 1 Colour photo print

Taken at dusk / night from the intersection of Oxford Street & Keepa Street.

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

Hand printed with black ink in large letters below original photo – 1895

See also – Acc.#1979.098.0001 (mounted copy) – Acc.#2000.018.0322 (HHS Mounted Collection)

Prouse Brothers Sawmill, Weraroa, 1895 1 B&W photo print, copy (large)

3 men, 4 saddled horses & dog (foreground). Wellington & Manawatu Railway Co. tracks (middle foreground, left to right). Sawmill (centre) 1891-1907. 2-storey Prouse House (background, right). Bush being felled (background) with Tararua Ranges in distance. Taken from the balcony of the Weraroa hotel.

See also – Acc.#1979.098.0001 (mounted copy) – Acc.#2000.018.0322 (HHS Mounted Collection) – shows only 3 saddled horses & 1 man.

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

Penciled on back - Work on removing the stone block fence & Peace Memorial at Levin’s Weraroa Reserve. Fri. June 25, 1971.

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

See also – #.0404 & #.0532

Removing block fence, Weraroa Domain, 1971 1 B&W photo print

Removing the stone block fence & Peace Memorial at Levin’s Weraroa Domain. In preparation for road widening. Man (unidentified) putting pieces of block fence on truck.

See also – #.0404 & #.0532

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

Inscription on reverse reads: “Donated V Doyle, 52 Queen St., Levin. Nee V Henderson.”

The Weraroa Wanderers Football Club 1903, a team with an unbeaten record. The team and supporters pose with their banner behind them, outside a wooden building. Those in the photograph are from left to right: Middle Row – J Middleton (Sec), R Smith (half 10st), V Hitchings ( five eight 11st), F Garland (Supporter), M Winiata (Captain, three quarter, 12st), C Williams (President), H Nelson (fwd 12st 6lb), W Broughton (Referee), G Woods (Vice-President). Front Row – B Wallace (five-eight 11st 6lb), F Seymour (three quarter 14st), W Tahura (three quarter 13st), Toti (full back 10st), E Henderson (fwd 11st 6lb). Above D Barnett (wing fwd 11st 6lb).

Back Row - Winiata (Supporter), P Bartholomew (fwd. 11st), A Anderson (fwd 12st), W Johnson (fwd 13st), W Aldridge (wing, fwd 12st 6lb), J Smith (fwd 13st), J Tunnihill (fwd 11st), P Winiata (fwd 11st), R Tennant (11st 6lb).

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

Printed on original as caption: “Weraroa & Railway Stn.”

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Weraroa about 1910. Weraroa Hotel on south west corner of Ward St. 1899-1909 Railway Station on left. “

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

Main road at Weraroa, looking south from near Mako Mako Road and showing the Weraroa Hotel on the corner of Ward Street, and the Levin Railway Station on the left in the distance. In the centre of the photograph is a horse and trap, and a youth leans on a bicycle chatting to two young girls. Two women and a girl have just walked past the general store, which doubles as a registry office for servants.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

See also 2000.316.0008 (original postcard)

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

Penciled on back: “CH 23”

Weraroa Post Office in1971. Opened in 1910 this wooden building is situated on the western side of Oxford Street at Weraroa opposite the Railway Station.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted (with 2000.018.0056b)

See also 2000.543.0061 (original)

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

Penciled on back: “Opening Weraroa P.O.”

A large group of people stands while the official party sits to listen to a speech from Sir Joseph Ward at the opening of the Weraroa Post Office, April 21, 1910. This ceremony took place at the Levin Railway Station, opposite the Post Office at Weraroa, and the building in this photograph shows the main entrance of the Railway Station which opened into the waiting room.

1 B&W photo print, mounted

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

Written on back with blue ballpoint pen: “Donated by Joice Forster, 41 Liverpool St., Levin. Dec. 1994 F.C.S.Given to her by Prouse. “Weraroa House” site now. Was about in line with railway station.” and “Said by Winton Parker (Prouse decendant) built to same plan as Ashlea House, Queen St. East, formerly occupied by Lou Prouse, now by his son. A third original Prouse brother said to have built a house in Wellington to same plan. He ran a timber yard & moulding factory in Wellington. Weraroa House built 1891 or 92 for Richard Prouse, saw-miller with sawmill where Horowhenua Energy sub-station is now. Prouse Bros. sawmill built c.1891-1907.”

“Penciled bottom left corner – J. Rogers Photo.”

The home of Richard Prouse, (sawmiller), later called “Weraroa House”, at Weraroa. The two storied wooden house, with an iron roof, two brick chimneys, sash windows, a bay window on the lower floor at the front of the house, a balcony on the upper floor above a verandah on the lower floor, was built in 1891 or 1892. The house was situated directly to the east of the Levin Railway Station at Weraroa.

1 B&W photo print, mounted

See also 2000.073.0001

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

Printed bottom right of original: “Weraroa, Thompson & Palmer series.”

Typed on piece of paper glued to back: “Corner Mako Mako Road and Oxford St. Swainson & Bevan Building. Old Railway station opposite. New one is to the south of this one. Donated by Mrs Eleanor Kean, 1970.”

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

According to The Chronicle 75th Jubilee Supplement published in March 1981:

"Mako Mako Road, Oxford Street intersection, Swainson and Bevan's building built in 1904 and burnt down in 1909 - the Weraroa Hotel in the background suffered a similar fate a few years later. The building in the foreground was rebuilt in brick. At left is the first railways station at Weraroa, the present one being located further south."

Weraroa looking south from Oxford Street just north of Mako Mako Road. Swanson and Bevan’s building is on the south western corner of the Mako Mako Road and Oxford Street intersection. The Weraroa Hotel is further south on Oxford Street on the south western corner of the intersection with Ward Street. The railway station is to the left. Oxford Street is a wide, unsealed road.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

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

1) Foresight of early planners has given us benefits today.

As can be seen by the first plan for the township of Levin (and earlier in the Maori proposal for the township they preferred to call Taitoko) there was liberal provision made for the setting aside of land for parks, schools and other amenities.

2) Hotel reception was unthinkable.
Mayor entertained his distinguished guests and visitors at home.

What was it like to be daughter of Levin's first mayor? Mrs. C. Bennett, of Devon Street, was only about 10 years of age when her father was elected mayor of the newly-formed borough.

3) The : "Town Hall".

It was only in 1942 that Levin lost one of its old landmarks known as the Town Hall. This was situated in Queen Street West, next to the Bank of New Zealand, where the district nurses' rooms now stand.

Penciled on back: “P65 CH” “Bartholomews Sawmill, 21-2-1906, Weraroa (site – Main Road, Beach Road, Keepa St. area).”

Used in book – ‘Horowhenua County and its People’, page 173, with caption - Bartholomew’s second mill at Weraroa, 1906. ATL.

Bartholomew’s sawmill, Weraroa, 21 Feburary, 1906. Stacks of processed timber surround the sawmill buildings in this photograph. This sawmill was situated at Weraroa with its boundaries being the Main Road, Hokio Beach Road and Keepa Street.

1 B&W photo print copy, mounted

Used in book – ‘Horowhenua County and its People’, page 173

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

A new vegetable shop in Weraroa shopping complex opens for business with lucky lions and banging drums. On a lovely sunny day in Levin at the Weraroa shopping centre, two lucky lions were present at the opening of the new vegetable shop of Min Yan Su and Quang Bu Su. The lions, one black and one gold, danced to the sounds of drums and clashing of symbols. The lions are said to bring luck and good fortune to the new shop.

Swainson & Bevan Ltd building, south west corner of Mako Mako Road and Oxford Street at Weraroa before 1910. The two storied wooden building has a coloured iron verandah supported by wooden poles. The shop opens onto the corner of the intersection and a gas lamp is suspended from the verandah above the entrance. The road outside the building is unsealed. On the seventh and eight windows from the left on the upper floor, the words “public” and “library” are inscribed.

1 B&W photo print , damaged lower right corner

See also: – 2000.471.0001

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

Inscription on reverse reads: “W Hannan”

Inscription on paper accompanying photograph: “Weraroa. Probably about 1900 to 1907. Probably first station there on left. Weraroa Hotel centre & Swainson & Bevan. All were burnt down by 1911.”

Weraroa c 1900-07 from the Main Road with Mako Mako Road in the foreground behind the fence on the right. Also on the right is Swainson and Bevan’s store with the Weraroa Hotel further down the road. To the left is the railway station. The road is unsealed with a large amount of water lying in the ruts.

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

Laser copy. Negative held by Alexander Turnbull Library.

Visit of Navel ratings (Bluejackets) to Levin. The ratings are in ranks facing the Levin Railway Station which is situated at Weraroa, and a large crowd forms a square around them taking up the width of the road. There is a group of mounted servicemen on horseback, some civilians on horseback, two women in a horsedrawn gig and a number of people appear to have travelled to the occasion on bicycles. It is possible that the boys from the Training Farm are the group who are standing facing the ratings.

Caption reads: “Boys Training Farm Wereroa – Visit of Bluejackets Levin Station”

1 B&W photocopy

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

Penciled on back - Eastern side of the Weraroa reserve where Parks & Reserves staff are working to transplant trees which at this stage stand in the way of S.H. widening to a new site further west. Fri. July 30, 1971.

Typed on seperate piece of paper - Eastern side of the Weraroa Reserve where Parks & Reserves staff are working to transplant trees, which at this stage stand in the way of State Highway widening, to a new site further west, Friday 30 July 1971.

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

See also – #.0419 & #.0532

Transplanting trees, Weraroa Domain, 1971 1 B&W photo print

Parks & Reserves staff are working to transplant trees further west, to allow widening of the State Highway.

See also – #.0419 & #.0532

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