More Info →Evans Family Collection: Evans family walking in Victoria Esplanade

A photographic series prepared by the Prime Minister’s Department in 1947 to attract British migrants. The Evans family of 5 Mansford Place, Palmerston North were selected to show the living conditions of a typical New Zealand family. John and Betty Evans with two of their sons, Michael (left,) John (right) and baby, Julie Silvester (Julie was ‘borrowed' for the photograph. She later married and became Julie Camden) are visiting in the popular Victoria Esplanade which was about 5 minutes walk from their home in the Savage Crescent state suburb. The development of the Esplanade had begun in 1897 and by 1947 the main drive was marked by flowering cherries and a line of giant palms. Large areas of native bush flourished near the Manawatu River and were the playground for older Savage Crescent boys.