Back Issues

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Historian Margaret Tennant explores the controversial history behind the name Palmerston North.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Life story of John Tiffin Stewart (1827-1913) town planner and government surveyor. He was responsible for the planning of Manawatū's towns in the 19th century. Born in Scotland, he moved to Foxton in 1864. He learnt to speak te reo Māori fluently and worked closely and respectfully with local iwi. In later years, he moved to Whanganui, where he was elected to the Borough Council.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Story of the 1970s Centennial pavilion building in Te Marae o Hine and its repurpose as the Kelvin Grove Community Centre in 1980.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The Manawatū/Horowhenua campaign for women's voting rights in the 1890s was led by a group of passionate advocates. These included Learmonth White Dalrymple, Margaret Giesen, her daughter Edith Giesen, Mary Alice Sorley, Clara Lethbridge, Minnie Leary, Mary Butters and Elizabeth Esther Dillon. When the local branches of the women's run Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) were formed, a number of husbands offered support. The WCTU main objective was temperance, which was addressed through the lens of other women's issues, including obtaining the vote.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. During World War I, anyone seen as linked to enemy countries was a target for hatred. Not even people born in New Zealand were immune. In the Manawatū, German immigrants, people with non-British sounding surnames, Lutheran churches and associated schools suffered discrimination. Many street names associated with Germans were changed.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Life story of influential and distinguished music teacher, Evelyn Mary Rawlins (1889-1977). Her financial legacy funded the Evelyn Rawlins Room and continues to support the development of artists and projects.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The history of remembrance at Memorial Park includes memories of individual tragedies, World War II deaths, women's work at home and military service during World War II. More recently, Unions Manawatū have erected a memorial at the park to workers killed, injured or made ill at work.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The story of Edward (Ted) Barling, detective, deerstalker and founder of the Himatangi Beach resort, first half 20th Century.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. A detailed account and description of a cricket game in Palmerston North, 1930. The Manawatū team played the touring Marylebone Cricket Club from England. The local team included train driver Alexander (Alec) McVicar, who played 75 matches for Manawatū.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The story of the dog Tiger, a great dane, mascot of the Māori Battalion during World War 2. Tiger was the companion dog of Captain Harding Waipuke Leaf (Ngā Puhi). Tiger stayed in New Zealand when Captain Leaf departed for service overseas. Sadly he died in Crete in 1941.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of Caccia Birch House since about 1895. Margaret Tennant writes that despite falling into disrepair at times, it is one of the few grand old homes in Palmerston North to survive when many others have been lost. In 1941 it passed from private ownership to the NZ Government and was variously used by the army in WWII, as a convalescent home for nurses, and by both Victoria and Massey Universities. The house has been owned by Palmerston North City Council since 1984 and has been restored and renovated as a conference and function centre. It is a Category 1 listed building with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust because of its historical, architectural and community significance.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Manchester Square clock tower controversial history from 1904. Many of its opponents over the years believed motorists would drive into it. The correct author of this article is Simon Johnson.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The role of barmaids and their working conditions in the early 20th century is described. Dolly Grey worked at the Family Hotel, Rangitikei Street in 1904. She was said to be one of the first barmaids in Palmerston North.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of Hokowhitu Lagoon and the first Carnival of the Lake, January 1963. The five day programme was organised by the Palmerston North Public Relations Organisation. The events drew up to 3000 spectators.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Elizabeth Ward writes about the history of Palmerston North local body elections voter turnout, noting that postal voting in 1983 resulted in a high turnout of voters. However with the decline in the use of the postal system overall, voting has declined in more recent years.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History and description of the statue of Te Peeti Te Awe Awe, one of Rangitāne's notable leaders of the 19th Century. The statue was ceremoniously unveiled in Te Marae o Hine/The Square on 29 January 1907.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. On 30 July 1979, the Muldoon-led National Government introduced a scheme intended to save fuel. Everyone in the country had to nominate a day of the week on which they would not drive their car. Many people applied for exemptions, whilst others switched to riding bicycles and small motorcycles, which were exempt from the scheme.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Stephen Berg recalls the tensions in Palmerston North between rugby supporters and anti- Springbok tour protesters, July and August 1981.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Biography of dance teacher Gwen Gibbs, 1898-1983. After performing internationally, she established the Broadway School of dancing about 1929. She knew important ballet people and travelled overseas for new ideas. She was a life-long student of dance and left a strong teaching legacy, training several long standing Palmerston North teachers who have gone on to train professional dancers. Gwen Gibbs was her stage name. Born Gwendolyn Lillian Rogers, she married Gordon Milton McCaskill in 1923. Their only son Donald Gordon McCaskill, a pilot, died on war service World War II.