Municipal Opera House

The actors in "David the Shepherd Boy" are seen here in costume raising money for patriotic purposes for WW1. According to Manawatu Times, (5 August 1915, Page 8), the show was "brilliant and successful".

Group of Palmerston North Council workers and their partners at a fancy dress ball, believed to be at at the Opera House. Far left: Ian Robertson, partnering Francis Laurenson, library staff member, standing in front of Ian.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.

People dressed in costumes for a theatre production or fancy dress party. Visible are several knights, nuns, friars and ladies.

It is believed to be a photograph of nurses performing a revue at the Opera House 10-11 August 1945, with entertainment and sketches depicting nurses from the past. Proceeds from the shows were to go to patriotic purposes.

The woman second from left in the back row has been identified as Ellen (Nellie) Charlotte Flowers (née Ansin), a Red Cross nurse in the Ashhurst Communtiy.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.

This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard 26 August, 1959. "The shiny white ivory keys of the new Steinway concert grand piano looked extremely inviting to the crowd of people who gathered in the Opera House this morning awaiting its arrival. With her hands on the keys of the 2000 pound instrument is the president of the Palmerston North Registered Music Teachers' Association (Miss E. M. Rawlins)."

John McGrath was involved backstage at the Opera House for many years and was its manager from 1961-?. His musical career started in the late 1950s when he ran several dance bands in Palmerston North. He was one of the original members of the Palmerston North Musicians' Club.

This register for the Palmerston North Municipal Opera House and Coronation Hall records bookings from 1935 until 1940, for performances, meetings and the activities of community groups. The Municipal Opera House, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected on Church Street in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished. The Coronation Hall, located at 801 Main Street, was built as a Public Hall in 1911 to mark the Coronation of George V. In 1962 it was bought by the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society (later Manawatu Theatre Society) and became a playhouse. In 1996 the hall was bought by Douglas and Moana Hann, who renovated the building into a home. As of 2014, it is the premises of a painting and decoration business.

This register for the Palmerston North Municipal Opera House and Coronation Hall records bookings from 1940 until 1945, for performances, meetings and the activities of community groups. During the Second World War, these venues were also used to support the war effort, including by the Women's Auxilary services, the Home Guard and for Soldier Send Off events. The Opera House hosted performances by the Kiwi Concert Party and the Young Māori Club. This building, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected on Church Street in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 the Opera House was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished. The Coronation Hall, located at 801 Main Street, was built as a Public Hall in 1911 to mark the Coronation of George V. In 1962 it was bought by the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society (later Manawatu Theatre Society) and became a playhouse. In 1996 the hall was bought by Douglas and Moana Hann, who renovated the building into a home. As of 2014, it is the premises of a painting and decoration business.

The Municipal Opera House, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected for the Palmerston North Borough Council in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished. The postcard bears no stamp or date, so the date is based on other postcards that show the same scene.

The rear of the Opera House taken shortly before the building was demolished.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.

From left can be seen the fourth Palmerston North Court House, built 1897, which served, with additions and alterations, until 1988. Behind can be seen the Opera House, built 1904-1905, in Church Street. It was demolished in 1996. To the right, the Municipal Council Office building, constructed in 1887, served as the Public Library 1905-1929 when it outgrew its use.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.

The Municipal Opera House as seen from Ashley Street shortly before demolition. The Opera House, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1996 and demolished.