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“Bikies Tribute To Dead Gang Member”

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Description: These images were taken for the September 17th 1978 edition of the Tribune weekly newspaper but were not published.

Excerpts from the relevant article read: ““Members of motorcycle gangs from New Plymouth, Wellington and Wanganui came to Palmerston North last week to pay their last respects to a city gang member who was killed in an accident last Sunday. Michael John Rogers was killed in Featherston Street, near the intersection with Rangitikei Street, at exactly the same spot as another young man died on August 11, in another accident.

In both accidents, the temporary concrete block median strip in the centre of Featherston Street was Involved. The median strip has now been removed. They were the first fatalities at the intersection for several years. The funeral for Michael Rogers, 22, was held at St Patrick's Church, Broadway on Wednesday. Members of Palmerston North's Mothers gang formed the bulk of the motorcyclists attending, and later the gang members followed the hearse, on their motorcycles, to the Kelvin Grove Cemetery. There gang members acted as pallbearers.

The accident in which the motorcyclist was killed happened at 1.05 a.m. last Sunday- and the previous accident, on August 11, happened at the same spot and almost the same time. In the previous accident, which happened at 1.20 a.m. on August 11, Brett David Carter died from his injuries. After last Sunday's accident the Ministry of Transport asked for the concrete blocks forming the median strip to be removed.

Senior traffic officer M. J. Bassett told the "Tribune" the former permanent median strip was replaced by the temporary blocks some time ago because some alterations to the traffic lights at the intersection meant the road had to be torn up. Another reason for the continuance of the temporary median was the prospect of roadworks in this part of Featherston Street - the upgrading of the street has now progressed to this point. The street is being widened and is getting a new overlay of seal.”

These images form part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.