Ormondville Rail Preservation Group Inc.

Ormondville street scene - two postcards from the same original photo.

This photo shows the main street of Ormondville (Matamau-Ormondville Road), from the Napier end, between 1906 and 1912.  In this view, the Settlers Arms Hotel is at the centre of the photo, while the station is partially obscure on the right. As Sugden’s General Store (at left) opened on this site in March 1906, that is the earliest point at which this photo can have been taken. The covered wagon standing on the street appears in the original version, to be loaded with posts. The station is on the extreme right in the distance.

The upper postcard is postmarked "Ormondville" and is date stamped 9 January 1912. It is addressed to Mr Harry Papps, Kopua, and reads: 

"Dear Harry, Don't forget Wednesday at Mrs Holden's, bring the rackets, and no excuses, like a good chap. - Tom W.S."

The Holdens were early settlers and significant land-owners in the area in their time. They owned Rakaiatai Station, one of the largest sheep stations in the district. Their homestead was on Rakaiatai Road, near Makotuku, and evidently their large garden in included as tennis court. By this time, though, Mrs Holden was a widow.

This postcard was kindly loaned from the private collection of Merle Sneddon, of Levin, a retailer of early postcards.

The lower postcard was from a laser copy supplied by Ted Nikolaison, of Masterton. It is an example of a colourised card.

Last updated: 17/2/2001

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