AN OLD BUILDING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LV, Issue 4490, 11 May 1935, Page 2

AN OLD BUILDING.

A well-known Foxton landmark is at present undergoing a change in form. It is the old Chinese laundry situated opposite the Town Hall in Avenue Road and js one of Foxton’s oldest residences. Recently vacated by its Chinese occupant, the owner decided to convert the old two-storied structure into a more modern bungalow and the roof and top storey have been lifted. During the progress of the work two ancient documents were discovered, one a bill of sale dating dack to 1870 and the other a receipt for the purchase of five calves, stamped and complete. Another interesting find was a Psalm book printed in Maori and bearing the date 1848.

The receipt is rather quaintly worded. It reads: —“Manawatu, August 10th, 1870: Sold to Robert and Richard Loudon 3 red and white calves; also 2 red calves and one year-old strawberry calve at Worokino or swamp. Their names being Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Strawberry and Jubilee or the wild one’s calf branded (F.L.) for the sum of nine pounds—£9—o—o. Jane Loudon 10/2/70.” A one-penny stamp duty stamp is attached, duly cancelled. The Loudon family owned the block of buildings now occupied by the billiard saloon, owned by Mr R. Bryant. The premises were used as a store in those davs.

The building now under renovation was constructed of totara with white pine lining. The exact age of the structure is not known but it must have many years on it. The totara is perfectly sound to-day but the borer has played havoc with the white pine.