Lindsay Family Collection

Men’s huts (R) and the cookhouse (L) at the Mangahao Hydro Electric Power Scheme. _ _

This photograph shows a Hemp Grader examining a hank of fibre pulled out of a bale of flax fibre. A grade was assigned to each bale and this enabled overseas buyer to purchase fibre of a uniform quality. The photograph is thought to have been taken in a Wellington Harbour Board shed.

Harbour Board grading shed.

Unidentified children playing in a river (possibly the Pohangina River).

This photograph is one of a series made by Charles Wildbore showing the construction of the Mangahao hydro-electric power scheme in the Tararua ranges east of Shannon. This view shows the bypass tunnel above the lower dam. The light suspension bridge near the construction camp can be seen in the background. The Mangahao Power Station provides hydroelectric power and is situated near the town of Shannon. It serves Wellington, Horowhenua, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, and the Wairarapa. After being delayed by the first world war construction began in late 1919 and the station opened in November 1924.

"Totara Reserve" is the popular name of the 740 acre public reserve situated on the east bank of the Pohangina River and officially known as Pohangina Valley Domain. Since 1947, this reserve has been owned by the Palmerston North City Council. This photograph shows one of the early motor cars of the Pohangina Valley (possibly owned by Evaline Clink) travelling along the metalled road through the reserve. The ownership of the car is unknown. The photographer is Charles E Wildbore (1862-1937), who came to New Zealand from England in 1874. He was a bee keeper, dairy farmer and a well-known amateur photographer in the Pohangina Valley during the period 1890s-1920. He married Jane Emily Dallison in 1888 and they had 13 children.

Back row (L-R): Percy, Stan, Charlie, Owen, Mana

Front row (L-R): Cecil, Baden, Reg

L-R: Sylvia, Kathleen, Ruby and Eva.

This photograph is part of a collection relating to the Mangahao Electric Power Scheme and its construction. The Scheme provides hydroelectric power, and is situated near the town of Shannon. It serves Wellington, Horowhenua, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, and the Wairarapa. After being delayed by the first world war construction began in late 1919 and the station opened in November 1924. The large white building in the right-hand middle distance is the office.

L-R: Reg Wildbore, Beverly Wildbore, Jack Sandbrook, Roy Williams, Ivan Lepper, Ruby Sandbrook, Norma Sandbrook, Evan Wildbore, Sylvia, Jean Sandbrook, Albert Whittaker, Jane Wildbore, Cecil Wildbore.

Portrait of Jane and Norman Wildbore.

These saleyards are believed to have been situated at Pohangina Township on William Homes' farm. The historian of Manawatu saleyards Mr John McCaw gives the following history of the yards “A few years later (1895) Abraham and Williams advertised that they were operating 10 saleyards, including one at Pohangina where periodical sales were held. The yards were opened on January 11, 1895, and the capacity of the yard is quoted as 2000 sheep and 100 cattle. It was situated about 10 chains south of the township and many settlers can remember the posts and strainers still standing there until about 20 years ago”.

This photograph shows the handiwork of students under Mr Stephenson. Some of the items pictured are ladders, a cabinet and sets of shelves. The photographer, Charles Wildbore, was a well known local, amateur photographer during the early years of the 20th century. See the 75th Jubilee Booklet of the Pohangina and Mt Richards School (1963) for a brief history of the Technical School.

The exact location of this landscape is unknown, but it is almost certainly somewhere in the upper Pohangina Valley, north of Ashhurst. The trees on the hillside have been felled by and the area is ready to be burnt off.

One of a series taken by Charles Wildbore between 1922 - 1924, recording the construction of the Mangahao electric power scheme. Mangaore village was the headquarters of the project, with the large white building in the right-hand, middle distance its office. The Mangahao Power Station is a hydroelectric power station near the town of Shannon, Horowhenua. After being delayed by World War One, access roading and foundation testing was started by late 1919 and the station opened in November 1924. It makes use of Mangahao River, through a series of tunnels and piplines totaling 4.8 kilometers, in the Tararua Ranges. Mangahao Power Station became the power station for Wellington, Horowhenua, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, and the Wairarapa. As of 2012, it is jointly owned and operated by Todd Energy and King Country Energy.

This photograph is one of a series made by Charles Wildbore showing the construction of the Mangahao hydro-electric power scheme in the Tararua ranges east of Shannon. This view shows the construction of the lower Dam.

Mr Charles E Wildbore was a well-known resident of the Pohangina Valley frm about 1900 to 1920. He owned a small dairy farm and apiary at Pohangina Township, but he is principally remembered for his photographic activities, being an enthusiastic amateur photographer who recorded many interesteing views of rural life in the Pohangina Valley. See Pg35 and Pi172 for further details. This photograph shows an advertising poster designed and photographed by Mr Wildbore. The house in the photograph is said to be the Wildbore home.

Eva Williams (Wildbore) with her children (L-R), Noel, Patricia, and Mervyn.

Portrait of Mervyn Williams, son of Eva Williams (Wildbore).

This photograph was taken from the second terrace above the river looking in an south-westerly direction. It is said that Wildbore, the photographer, wished to photograph a bush fire and was notified by Mr Roberts of Mount Richards of a burn taking place on his property. The fire burnt between Coal Creek and the site of the present Pohangina Valley West Road.