A writing slope was the original laptop. This is a small version and was everything a traveller needed for correspondence, diary keeping etc. Note the inkwell above and to the right of the blotting paper-covered slope. The actual slope itself […]
For early settlers in this area any journey, whether it was for business or pleasure, was most likely by water due to the lack of roads. For this reason, having a boat was probably more important than owning a horse. […]
Half a century and more ago when smoking was socially acceptable it was common to keep a box of cigarettes at home to offer your guests. Some, like this one, were novelty boxes. In this case, the cigarette appears as […]
This is a deadeye from the scow, Jane Gifford. The holes held a lanyard that was used to keep the sails taut. The first scow was built in Whangateau and was designed to sail the shallow waterways that are a […]
Tom Zhang is the artist behind our #johnsartefacts photographs and videos/animations. We are very grateful to Tom for his time spent bringing artefacts in our collection to life. Here is a film Tom made of a sovereign holder in our […]
Because of the lack of roads Mahurangi’s early settlers relied on coastal trading vessels for contact with the wider world. This led to its early post offices being located near to waterways and hosted by local residents. The Mahurangi Heads […]
Before pop-up toasters there was this kind which dates to the 1950s. It still toasted two slices at once but only one side at a time. To help make up for that, some designs such as this one turned the […]
Born 25 September 1880 in Warkworth. James’s parents, William and Marion Shaw, lived at “Burnside”, Pohuehue. On his enlistment in 1917 he was living in the Waikato and described himself as a self-employed farmer and butcher. Although not married he […]
Born 10 April 1893. Describing himself as a “wireless student” Ralph enlisted on 21 July 1916. He was killed in action at Ypres 28 December 1917 and was buried at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium. His plaque was sent to parents, […]
17 January 1917 “ The Rodney and Otamatea Times” reported:- “Much sympathy is expressed for the Llewell family”. Four sons volunteered for the War……The Minister for defence wired to Mr Llewell news of each report as received in New Zealand. […]
