More Info →Evans Family Collection: Evans family eating dinner, 5 Mansford Place

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. Jack and Betty Evans at dinner in the meal alcove in the kitchen of their state house, with sons Michael and John and Jack’s mother, Mrs Emma Catherine (Cath) Evans. The dining area was also used for activities such as games of cards and, before the advent of television, radio programmes, which provided general family entertainment. A photograph of Michael Joseph Savage, Labour Prime Minister (1935-1940) was prominent in many New Zealand homes at the time. A Singer sewing machine used by Betty Evans, a trained tailoress is on the left.