Horowhenua collection: fascinated by the history of rail

Horowhenua libraries are a good place to find out more about local history.

By Kiri Pepene, library information research and local history team lead

We have many diverse collections within the library, one of my favourites and most used is the Horowhenua collection. As part of my job as the heritage librarian, I do a lot of research on local and family history within the Horowhenua. Many people nowadays go online to find answers, but I have learnt that not everything is accessible through “Google”!

Sometimes you have to do it the old-fashioned way and read a book. Yes, there are some great websites and databases; however, if the information is not digitised, you miss out on a whole raft of information. So, I would like to share some of my favorites from this collection.

I am fascinated in the history of rail in the Horowhenua, especially the line from Foxton to Palmerston North, and I am always surprised when talking to people that they know nothing of this railway. Considering there is nothing left, I suppose it’s no surprise.

The Foxton and Wanganui Railway and Sanson Tramway, both by K.R. Cassells, are wonderful informative histories regarding these railways. As I read through the early history of these lines, it was interesting just how hard it was to build them. Everything from the lay of the land, weather, and money was against them. When first built, the Foxton to Palmerston Tramway was just wooden rails.

One carriage was pulled by horses, and quite often fell off, so passengers would need to help get it back on the track. Not a great start, and the problems continued during the life of the line.

Horowhenua and the Great War 1914-1918 and Remembering Horowhenua and the Second World War, both compiled by Linda Fletcher, are great resources for finding information about soldiers who had connections to the Horowhenua and went to war. With meticulous research, these two books are vital if you are doing any research finding soldiers in the family.

Butler’s Flight by Joan-Marie O’Dea tells the story of the plane that Jack built and his successful flights over Waitārere Beach in 1932. What an absolute ripper of a book! Martin (Jack) Butler was born in 1910; in all aspects, he was just an average man who grew up, married, and had a family.

However, he was much more; he liked to tinker around with bits and pieces, but really he was an inventor and an aviator. At the young age of 22, Jack built himself a monoplane, and on four occasions, he took to the skies at Waitārere Beach.

This is his story, and was written by his daughter to honour her mother who wanted her to publish this book so that everyone would know about Jack. This is a great read.

Another little gem is Horowhenua Highlanders: The first 50 years of the Horowhenua Scottish Society and Highland Pipe Band, 1939–1989 by Marjorie D Law. A great history of the band and people who were part of it. Not long ago, a family was looking for information on their father who had been a Pipe Major in the band, and lo and behold the one place we found a photo and information was in this book!

So next time you are looking for something different to read, have a browse in the Horowhenua Collection which is in the People and Places section of the library. You just might be surprised at what you will find.

Top 10 books

Latest from NZ Authors

A Spirit Companion by Roger McDonald

NZR’s Rebuilt G Class: The Phoenix that Failed by Jonathan Shingleton

Scarface Claw, Hold Tight by Lynley Dodd

Illustrated History of New Zealand by Matthew Wright

Te Awa o Kupu by Vaughan Rapatahana and Kiri Piahana-Wong

Ngā Kupu Wero by Witi Ihimaera

Good from Scratch by Michael Van de Elzen

When Life Sucks by Dr Jo Prendergast

Kid-friendly adventures Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau: the ultimate family guidebook by Ceana Priest

Shadow Worlds: A History of the Occult and Esoteric in New Zealand by Andrew Paul Wood

Exhibitions

Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Gallery presents Books by Jim Hunter – March 1 to March 27.

Retired woodworker and artist Jim Hunter showcases his love of books and history of printing. Some pieces are historic and others are tongue in cheek renditions of the use of recycled books.

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom Gallery: To Catch a Falling Star, Hopukia te whetū rere – January 27 to April 5.

This brilliant and thought provoking show by Te Awahou Collective is an interpretation of the work by the late Dr Cliff Whiting, an internationally renowned artist, esteemed teacher and practitioner of Māori arts. Under the guidance of Albert McCarthy, the Te Awahou Collective, a group of14 local artists, come together for a two-month art exhibition showcasing their talents. Varied styles, techniques, disciplines and backgrounds (painting, sculpture, carving, weaving, photography, illustration and digital) have been assembled for this special showing of the local artists and their unique works.

What’s On

Heritage room:

Volunteers staff the Heritage rooms at Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō Tuesday to Saturday at the following times:

Tuesday, 10am -12.30pm

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10am–12.30pm and 1.pm-3pm

Saturday 10.00am – 12.00pm

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom Heritage Room has the research librarian available all day every Friday.

Friday, March 22:

Friday Live Concert, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 12pm – 1pm

Jim Redmond Crib Club, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm – 3pm

SeniorNet, Get help with your tablets, phones and laptops

Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 10am – 12pm

Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 2pm – 3pm

Monday, March 25:

Storytime, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am–10.30pm

Meet Street, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am–11pm

Justice of the Peace, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 10am–5pm

Volunteer Central, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am – 12pm

H.U.G Horowhenua Ukulele Group, Main Space, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 11am–12pm

Simply Meditation, Meditation Class, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 12pm–1pm, koha

Digital Learning: Let’s Get Photographing, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm–3pm

Knitting workshop, Shannon Library, 1pm–3pm

Tuesday, March 26:

Tea & Tales, Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, 10.30am–11.30am

Justice of the Peace, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 11.30pm–1.30pm

500 Card Group, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm–3pm, $2

Lego Hour, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 3.30pm–4.30pm

Wednesday, March 27:

Volunteer Central, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am–12pm

Crochet & Coffee Club, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10.30am

Sewing workshop, Shannon Library, 10.30am-12pm

Volunteer Central, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am–12pm

Digital Learning: Engaging Online, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm–3pm

Code Club, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 4pm–5pm

Pop Up Eats Horowhenua, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō carpark, 5pm–8pm

Quiz Night, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 7pm – 9pm, $5

Thursday, March 28:

Sewing workshop, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 10am–12pm

500 Card Group, Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō, 1pm–3pm, $2