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13 November 2009

Ping's Pie Cart was only a small caravan but it was a huge part of New Plymouth's night life for over 25 years. The cart, which stood on a vacant lot next to the Army Stores on Ariki Street, dished up variations of pies, steak, eggs and chips every... read more

Street Fire Alarm

13 November 2009

Mobile phones were still the stuff of science fiction but the fire brigade was just a push knob away thanks to street fire alarm systems. During the 1920s and 1930s Duplex alarm systems were installed in New Zealand's provincial centres. These... read more

Medal

13 November 2009

The fiery encounters of a shy civil servant from Stratford are marked by this United Fire Brigades Long Service Medal. The finely crafted silver medal was awarded to Charles Penn in 1899 recognising his five years service with the Stratford... read more

Ostrich Egg

13 November 2009

A giant rata tree crushed the dreams of a pioneering Inglewood farmer who saw a feathered future for his farm. This ostrich egg, together with its presentation eggcup, is from the Durham Road farm of John Wheeler who bought two ostriches in 1892 and... read more

Board Game

13 November 2009

Recent hype over the latest New Zealand version of Monopoly should stir memories of other home grown board games. The Educational Tour of New Zealand was introduced in the 1950s and sold by the thousands until production ceased in the early 1980s.... read more

Plaque

13 November 2009

A flick of a switch sparked great fanfare in 1906 when New Plymouth was bathed in electric light for the first time. Civic leaders turned out in force on 19 January to witness streetlights powered by the Mangorei power scheme in action. There was... read more

P.O.W Cricket Ball

13 November 2009

The hardships of an Italian Prisoner of War camp during World War II did not stifle the sporting spirit of the prisoners. This makeshift cricket ball was made from Red Cross Parcel string by a prisoner at Campo 57 in Gruppignano, Italy. Peter... read more

Dessert Plate

13 November 2009

Would you risk your life for this dessert plate? During the First Taranaki War in 1860 it seems members of the Atkinson family did. The Spode plate was among the treasured possessions buried by Arthur and Maria Atkinson near their farm cottage in... read more

Beer Mug

13 November 2009

James Paul was one of those larger than life figures in New Plymouth in the later part of the 19th Century.  Originally from Girven, Scotland, he emigrated to the Otago Goldfields in the early 1860s before venturing north to New Plymouth. ... read more

Ship's Letter

13 November 2009

Two Taranaki racehorses and the reputation of the fledgling harbour at New Plymouth suffered when the Hawea sunk in 1888. The ship, a 462 tonne steamer, came to grief in June when she was struck near the stern as she swung towards shore while... read more

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