Name: The origin is unknown. It is assumed to be named after Cuba Street in Wellington, which was named after the ship, "Cuba."

The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.

The Cuba was a barque of 270-273 tons captained by John Newcombe. The New Zealand Company sent her ahead of immigrant ships from England in July 1839, carrying a survey team of 23 people. The team was led by surveyor-general, Captain William Mein Smith. Their job was to meet principal of the company, Colonel Edward Gibbon Wakefield who had set out on the Tory two months earlier, make purchases of land and survey it for the colonists, to follow.

During the voyage, the barque called at Porto Praya, Cape Verde Islands, where yellow fever came aboard. One of the survey team, William Matthews, died at sea.

In September 1839 the larger 500 to 550-ton vessels, Oriental and Aurora, left England carrying 145 and 148 immigrants respectively.

On arrival in New Zealand, Cuba missed meeting Wakefield on the Tory, at Kaipara. The Cuba made its way to the whaling station on Kapiti Island where whaler, Captain George Young, boarded. He then navigated Cuba to Port Nicholson. She cast anchor off Pito-one (Petone) foreshore in early January 1840.

Although the Oriental had left England first, Aurora arrived in Port Nicholson a week earlier – docking on 22 January 1840. Both landed immigrants on the Pito-one (Petone) beach.

History: Cuba Street was one of the city's original streets. It first ended at Short Street (now known as Cook Street) and was extended out to Burns Avenue at a much later date.

For a comprehensive history of Cuba Street, take a look at this Back Issues article by Lesley Courtney.

In 1871, Palmerston’s first public cemetery was established on the site of the present Palmerston North Showgrounds. By 1875, a decision was made to move the cemetery to Napier Road, due to the Cuba Street site being too wet. The bodies were exhumed and reinterred at Terrace End Cemetery.

In 1886 the Borough Council determined that the old cemetery plot in Cuba Street would become a Showground. Established by the Manawatū and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, it has hosted: A&P Shows, sports clubs and events, military troops, celebrations, relief and transit camps, parades and more. For a brief history, read Palmerston North Showgrounds History, by Leanne Croon Hickman.

In 1940, the 28th Māori Battalion trained at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. In 1964, Te Rau O Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall was opened at 138 Cuba Street, as a national memorial to the men of the 28th Māori Battalion who lost their lives in the Second World War. The hall became a Poppy Place in 2018.

In 1981, Cuba Street was the scene of barbed wire, police lines and protesters; when anti-Apartheid activists opposed the Springbok Tour. Take a look at this Back Issues article by Stephen Berg to find out more.

Renumbering: The addresses on Cuba Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.149 to p.153 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.

Built Heritage Inventory:

• Bryant Building, 201-207 Cuba Street, 1905, 1911, 1915.
• Carlton Hotel, 169-199 Cuba Street, 1927.
• The Palmerston North Working Men's Club, 233 Cuba Street, 1928. The main entry was on Cuba Street with the lounge bar and some other spaces on Taonui Street.
• Returned Soldiers Club, 236 Cuba Street, 1917. The former Soldiers' Club became a Poppy Place in 2018.
• Mowlem Building, 268-270 Cuba Street, 1925.
• The Arcade, 256-258 Cuba Street, 1906.
• Ward Bros. Building, 213-215 Cuba Street, 1935.

Name: The street is named for Andrew Young (1833-1895), the owner-driver of the first coach service between Foxton and Palmerston North. At a Palmerston Borough Council Meeting on 20 August 1884 the Mayor read a letter from Mr Young’s agent. It advised that Mr Young wished to have a street laid facing the Masonic Hall, Main Street, running through to Cuba Street. Money to carry out the forming and metalling of said street was available at any time. The matter of Andrew Young Street was referred to the Public Works Committee and a call for tenders made in November 1884.

The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.

Andrew Young, was born in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Ireland in 1833. He emigrated to Victoria in the early 1850s on the ship, South Carolina. Mr A Young first tried his luck as a gold digger at Castlemaine and Bendigo. The Victorian goldrushes also saw the arrival of four Americans – Freeman Cobb, John Murray Peck, James Swanton and John B. Lamber, who established the original Cobb & Company line of coaches in Melbourne in 1853. In May 1856 the partners sold-up and the business passed through a number of owners. It was Cobb and Co., under Messrs Highett and Co., who employed Mr Young on his return to Melbourne. He drove coaches between Geelong and Ballarat, until the Ballarat to Melbourne railway was complete. It was here Mr Young met and married his wife Elizabeth in 1860. She gave birth to their eldest daughter, Selina ‘Lena’ W, in Australia.

In 1861 it was once again the discovery of gold, this time, at Gabriel’s Gully, Otago, that attracted the coaching business. Now under proprietor Charles Carlos Cole, Cobb and Co service and plant (including a stagecoach, wagons, buggies, horses and saddles) travelled aboard the SS India from Melbourne to Dunedin. Operations commenced October 1861. Cole formed a partnership with brothers Charles and Henry Hoyt, the following year, and the company sent for Mr Young around 1863. He was whip on the Tokomairiro line, travelling between Dunedin and Tokomairiro.

The successful coaching venture on Tokomairiro line enabled Mr Young to save money and start a staging line between Christchurch and Hokitika as the agent for Cobb and Co., in partnership with fellow driver Mr WH Shepard. This extended to the Wellington province. Mr and Mrs Young settled in Willis Street, Wellington, where they had seven more children: William Andrew b.1865, James Frederick Robert b.1867, John Henry b.1869, Albert Edward b.1872, Victoria May b.1875, Frank Wellington b.1877, and Ruby May b.1880. They moved to Ellice Street in 1893.

In 1869, at the conclusion of the Titokowaru’s War, the partners started a bi-weekly service between Wellington and Wanganui. Mr Young ran the Wellington to Foxton Line, and Mr Shepard the Foxton to Wanganui Line. The partnership dissolved in March of 1871 by mutual consent, with Mr Young retaining the line between Wellington to Wanganui and Mr Shepard taking the line between Wanganui and New Plymouth.

In October of 1871 Mr Shepard had a coaching accident while travelling along a beach near Patea. He was pulled from the cab box when a portion of harness broke, subsequently run over by the coach, and caught in the surf. Mrs Shepard, who was the sole passenger, managed to jump out of the coach and drag her husband from the sea. He died a few days later from his injuries. Mr Young continued the business over the whole line until able to purchase the interest of the late Mr Shepherd in 1872.

The Patea Mail, in December 1885, recounted that it was somewhere in the wilds of Otago, in 1872, that Mr Young and his coach famously faced off with visiting author, Mr Anthony Trollope and his carriage. With a cutting too narrow to pass, the author demanded that Mr Young cede the way. On refusal, Mr Trollope said, “Sir, do you know who I am?” Mr Young stated his ignorance and the author set him straight. Mr Young responded, “Yes, I knew it was some fool or other like that. Well Mr Trollope, my name is Andrew Young, and I give you just one second more, and if you don’t start to back out of this cutting we’ll see your name on a tombstone as soon as your relations take the trouble to put it there.” Mr Trollope backed out and, interestingly, did not include the incident in his book of travels.

Coaching in those days meant traversing incredibly tough terrain including unformed roads, beaches, and making river crossings by ferry. You can read more on ferry life in this Back Issues article by Val Burr. Sometimes passengers had to get out and push the coach!

Mr Young continued to expand his lines into the North Island. In 1877, knowing that trains would inevitably rise as the main mode of transport, Mr Young made arrangements with the Railways Department to offer trips with a combination of train and coach connections. Customers found they could now travel between Wellington and Napier in a day. In 1877 Mr Young sold his business to Messrs Hall and Henry. He then took an extended trip overseas in 1878 and again in 1884 visiting the UK and US. Mr Young was a shrewd businessman. Besides the coaching business, he purchased land in early Palmerston North and had holdings in Wanganui and Wellington. As a result, he retired comfortably.

He was prominent in Wellington municipal affairs as a councillor for both the Te Aro and Lambton Wards between 1880 and 1890. He was a mayoral candidate in 1881 and 1882, missing out in the vote. Mr Young was also involved in a number of community groups. He was First Lieutenant of the Wellington Guards, Vestryman of St. Peter’s parish, and a Shareholder in the Te Aro Theatre and Opera House Company. As a keen sportsman and Steward of the Wellington Racing Club, he owned and raced several horses. Mr Young was a member of Pacific Lodge of Freemasons until his death.

In 1882 he re-entered the business world, however this time it was unsuccessful. He lost a great deal of money on a line of coaches between Tauranga and Thames when a road washed out. He unsuccessfully petitioned the Public Petitions Committee for compensation for loss of the mail contract in 1883. Within a decade this particular line was to flourish with the rising mining industry. In 1888 he backed his son, William, in an omnibus business (in opposition to the trams) in Wellington. This failed within two years. Mr A Young narrowly escaped bankruptcy due to negotiating an annulment in 1894.

In 1895 Mr Andrew Young became ill and was diagnosed with cancer of the gullet. He died on the 17th of September 1895, surrounded by his wife and children at their home in Ellice Street. He was interred in the Karori Cemetery.

History: In September of 1884, councillor Sutton motioned, and councillor George seconded, that plans be made for the construction of Andrew Young Street. The resolution passed. By November 1884, RN Keeling, Town Clerk, was calling for contractor tenders. D.P.451, sections 327, 328, 333 and 334 were consequently subdivided in 1889.

Early businesses on the street included Sing Kee & Company Laundry; William Arthur Browning Coach Builder (later, Browning and Tory Coachbuilders, corner of Cuba and Rangitikei streets); and Fearnley’s Coffee Palace, established 1900, Ernest Albert Fearnley, proprietor. Fearnley's later became a private hotel, it was extensively fire damaged in 1943.

The Palmerston North branch of the Young Mens’ Christian Association (YMCA) acquired a property in Andrew Young Street in 1905 for a gymnasium. In collaboration with the YMCA, the Manawatū Camera Club attached a darkroom to the building. The gymnasium was the venue of a public debate in 1906 between The Palmerston North Young Men's Debating Society and the YMCA. The motion being, "war is a better method of settling international disputes than arbitration."

Mouldey’s Variety Store (later known as Variety Hall) was a second-hand dealership and variety store at 3 Andrew Young Street. Mr Henry W Mouldey, proprietor, advertised its wares from 1908 until his death in 1919. It was situated near Central Hotel.

In November of 1909 a fire broke out at Dustin’s Bakehouse on Andrew Young Street. Fortunately, they were insured and the business continued. Here is the frontage of Dustin’s circa. 1914-1918, on Main Street.

Herbalist, Mr J Hepworth, was advertising his business on the corner of Main Street and Andrew Young from 1912.

In 1913 there was talk, initiated by a special committee appointed by the Borough Council, of changing the name from Andrew Young Street to Young Street. This never eventuated.

In 1914, one of Palmerston North’s first motorised taxi cab businesses was established by John Jarvie Gillies at 13 Andrew Young Street. Mr Gillies had worked in the Manawatū saw-milling and dairy industries previously. He originally drove a cab that could accommodate five passengers, and by 1924 JJ Gillies had a 7-seater Buick Limousine on offer. He lived in Andrew Young Street at several different addresses during this time and died at his wife, Elizabeth’s, boarding house at 22 Andrew Young Street on Christmas day of 1940, aged 74 years.

From 1917, Plumbers, Beattie and Proctor Ltd., were located on the corner Andrew Young and Cuba streets. By 1930 their business had grown significantly, and a new business premises was built in Cuba Street.

Fritz Holland a well-known pugilist, opened Fritz Holland’s Boxing school in the Variety Hall (formerly Mouldey's) opposite Fearnley’s Coffee Palace in July 1920. Thirty students originally signed up and by August the roll numbered fifty-seven. However, the school was short-lived.

Fortunately for boxing enthusiasts, Jim “Kid” Harris, bantam-weight ex-champion of England, under the patronage of the Manawatū Boxing Association, re-opened the school of boxing, physical culture and massage in January 1921. By March, “Kid” Harris had indicated he was settling in Palmerston North permanently. He and his students feature frequently in the local sports news until 1926. In 1925 the boxing gymnasium re-opened in the Produce Hall of the Palmerston North Showgrounds.

Renumbering: The addresses on Andrew Young were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.194 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.

Name: George Street is named after the landowner and building contractor who put the street through, Mr George Frederick Roe (1837-1902).

The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.

Mr GF Roe was an early settler in the district. He arrived in Wellington as a child in 1841 on the ship Gertrude. As an adult he served throughout the NZ Wars. Arriving in Fielding c. 1872, one of his first contracts was building 40 houses for immigrants to Manchester Block. In those early years he was a local storeowner and agent for the Wanganui Chronicle. In late 1875 he commenced building a hotel, on property he owned in Feilding township. The Denbigh Hotel opened on 12th May 1876, with his brother, Charles Roe, his successor in the endeavour.

George moved with his wife, Mary, to Palmerston North, where a year earlier he had sold the Clarendon Hotel to Mrs Atkinson for £1,400. He was a Palmerston North borough councillor from 1877 to 1880. Within that time he owned the Palmerston Hotel (1877-1879) and was a general storekeeper in partnership, Messrs Roe and Green. The partnership dissolved by mutual consent and Mr Roe was left to settle all debts. Unfortunately he became bankrupt in 1880.

He soon started a new enterprise, Roe's Private Hotel (1881-1883). In 1883, the Roe's sold-up with the intention of moving to the new settlement of Kawhia. However, in 1884, a local newspaper reports Mr Roe suffering a protracted illness in Palmerston North. It appears that Mr Roe continued in the hotel business with further bankruptcy in his wake.

In September of 1900 the Roe's were living in Taonui Street, Palmerston North, when their daughter Nina May died. Mrs Mary Roe died in April two years later. Mr George Roe followed his wife and daughter in May of 1902, at 66 years of age.

History: In 1875 the road was put through at the Main Street end and D.P.27 subdivided. An extension was made through to the Cuba Street end in 1879 under D.P.155.

In September of 1878 The Public Works Committee of the Borough Council accepted the tender of Mr Joseph Nathan, £147, for works in George Street. This was Joseph Edward Nathan, of Joseph Nathan and Co., the agricultural supply firm that evolved into Glaxo. By the end of October 1878 the street was gravelled and had a pathway. With Mr GM Snelson having sold sections for some months prior, shops and houses became established rapidly, and land values soared.

Mr George Mathew Snelson (the first mayor of Palmerston North) and Mrs Louisa Matilda Snelson arrived in Palmerston in December of 1870. They built a general store on the western side of the Square in partnership with Mr EW Mills, Mr Snelson's former employer, an ironmonger in Wellington. Opening in 1871, this was the first store in the township. By 1877, when the George Street sections came on the market, Mr Snelson was an auctioneer and appraiser with auction rooms in the Square.

Palmerston North Borough Council Rate Books show that the Snelson’s owned an allotment and house on section 331, (George Street) from 1878. By 1879 they also owned a house and blacksmith shop on section 332. This was recorded as a house and stable the following year. In November 1883 it is reported in the Manawatū Times, “Mr G. M. Snelson is having substantial additions made to the front of his residence in George street, which will greatly improve the appearance… .” It was also that year, that section 847 (Fitzherbert Street), first appears listed under George Snelson in the rate books. It is likely that the couple moved to their Fitzherbert Street (later Fitzherbert Avenue) residence around that time and purchased the adjoining section, 848. In 1885 they’d also acquired section 300 (George Street) with house. The Snelson’s kept property in George Street until around 1891/2. Due to their extensive work in the community, the Snelson’s were later known as the “Father and Mother of Palmerston North.”

On October 6 1880, at a Palmerston Borough Council meeting, councillor Ferguson recommended purchase of a right-of-way from Broad Street (later Broadway) to George Street. Landowners, Mr Hoskings and Mr Darwick, were agreeable to selling ten feet each and councillor Ferguson thought it better to purchase now, than wait some years when prices had risen. The Chairman opposed the proposition, as George Street was initially a private street, not on the map and built on speculation. Furthermore, the developer had ignored suggestions on appropriate street width, and now there was an expectation of public funding to enhance the neighbourhood. Discussion ensued around this and the additional land required to fully open the way, being forty-six feet. According to the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, the Council was prevented from making any street less than sixty-six feet wide. The proposal was rejected.

In the years following, there were constant issues and complaints about the narrowness of George Street in regard to parking.

The way through was revisited in January of 1883, when councillor Snelson presented a plan to the council of a proposed street connecting George Street and the now established Coleman Place. The proposal was carried and the Reserves Committee commenced arrangements in September 1884, advising the Council to draft a clause into The Special Powers Bill giving local authority.

A second mayoral couple lived on George Street at the turn of the 20th century. James (Jimmy) Alfred Nash and Elizabeth Lily Grater, nee Keogh, married on Valentine’s Day in 1895. Rate books show that Mr JA Nash purchased allotments on sections 331 and 332 (George Street) that same year. Already operating a store in the Square, Mr Nash established two shops in George Street next to Woodfield’s stables in 1901.

The Nash’s private residence on George Street was advertised to let in June 1906. The couple moved to their newly built house, later named Waimarama, on Alfred Street. Rate books show Mrs Nash as the ratepayer on an allotment of section 169, from 1904-05. In June 1907, Mr Nash sold his shop in the Square to Messrs Paget and Barron and advised he could be contacted at his new business next to the Fire Bell Tower, Coleman Place. In September of the following year, Mr Nash, in partnership with DJ Lovelock, commenced business as Messrs JA Nash and Co., from George Street offices. They were produce, land, estate and general commissioner agents. It was also 1908 that he became mayor of Palmerston North, remaining in office until 1923.

The Nash Buildings, 42-48 George Street, were constructed in 1925 for Mrs Nash. She had purchased the property in 1894, before her marriage to James, with the building remaining in her family until 1978. The building plan was created by Herbert Leslie Hickson, registered architect. The Nash Buildings housed fours shops on the ground floor including confectionary, millinery and clothing; with living spaces upstairs. Additions were made to the Cuba Street end in 1929 to the design of Oscar Albert Jorgensen. This comprised a fifth shop and upstairs residence at 50 George Street. (See also, Built Heritage Inventory, below).

Early businesses on the street included:

The Woodfield Stables, also known as Manawatū Stables were established at 23 George Street in 1901. They were owned by Mr Herbert John Woodfield and operated as a livery stable with conveyances for hire. The local fire brigade housed their horses there, with the horse(s) harnessed to a fire cart overnight in case of emergency. The stables hosted experts, including Mr Walter J Bullock equine dentist and GE Owen Veterinary Surgeon. Woodfield’s also offered services, such as horse clipping, on site. Considerable fire damage occurred to the stables in January of 1911, fortunately no horses were harmed. The remaining wood building was pulled down in 1915. Mr Woodfield had re-established his business on Cuba Street.

Handily located next to the Woodfield Stables at 21 George Street, in 1907, was Mr Wallace John Bruce Jolly, saddler and harness maker. By the early 1920s Mr WJB Jolly expanded into sports goods and restringing of tennis racquets. His store was sold in 1926 after his unexpected death. Next to WJB Jolly, at number 19, were Messrs Swift and Co., land estate agents (established 1905). They were still advertising their business at its George Street location in 1920. In 1908, HJ Lauridsen Blacksmith & Farriers commenced business in a leased shop directly opposite Coleman Place. Hans Jorgen Lauridsen’s family had moved to Palmerston North from Denmark in 1907.

In January of 1904 Messrs Joe Lee & Co., started a laundry in George Street. It remained in George Street for 17 years, with a move within the street when the original structure was demolished for new builds in 1912. In March of 1921 the company moved to Main Street West.

In 1883 the Bon Marche, a general market, drapery and clothing store on the west side of the Square changed hands. Formerly owned by Mr John Coulson Fowler, the new proprietors were CM Ross & Co., and they took over in September of that year. In 1905, extensive additions and improvements were made to the store, including an arcade from the Square to George Street. Fronting George Street were large display windows. The first display was furnishings, as George Street housed the furniture department and, in 1909, the factory. At that stage customers could only access the George Street side via the Square.

This changed in 1916 with the completion of a steel framed concrete building comprised of two storeys on the Square, and three storeys on the Coleman Place and George Street sections. With display windows on Coleman Place, entry was made from the Square and George Street. The latter housing the showroom of the firm.

In 1927 and 1928 CM Ross and Co., built a completely new department store, replacing three of the former buildings. It was called Rosco, and, as previous, could be accessed from the Square and George Street. After Roscos discontinued operations in 1959, the store went through several owners including DIC. In 1991 it was purchased by the Palmerston North City Council and converted into the City Library – opening in 1996.

While George Street catered to shoppers looking for goods and services, it was also home to various national organisations, such as:

• New Zealand Express Company, moved from Main Street to George Street in 1906. The company worked from several locations within George Street over the years. In 1935 NZ Express sold their cartage, forwarding and sample rooms at 6 George Street to Childs Bros., who made it their head office. In the 1940s the Childs Bros. head office moved to 85 George Street.

• Department of Labour, from 1908 on the corner of Main Street West and George Street. In the 1920s the Department of Labour moved into the Hopwood’s Buildings in Main Street.

• Returned Services Association, from 1917 the Soldier’s Club was situated on the corner of George and Cuba Streets. (See also, Built Heritage Inventory, below).

• YMCA, 1936 to 1942. Maintained rooms on the 2nd floor of the Manawatū Building.

George Street was a hub of community entertainment in the form of picture theatres, skate rinks, dance halls and billiard saloons. The later included T Bill’s Billard Saloon, Crown Billiard Saloon, West’s Billiard Saloon and the Commercial Billiard Saloon.

In 1910, some old shops were removed to make way for an indoor skating rink. Building commenced in September of 1910 by Mr TJ Rodgers for Messrs J Fuller & Sons. The finished product would be a hall (the rink especially constructed from heart of matai), dressing rooms, attendant’s rooms and offices. The hall would be used to show pictures out-of-season. There were two entrances from George Street and one from Main Street. Further, three shops would form the frontage in George Street.

This skate rink and picture hall, His Majesty’s Theatre (here in its building stage), was consequently opened in February of 1911 with a 1,750-person capacity. It was referred to by various names, including Fuller’s Hall and Fuller’s Pictures. In 1916 the theatre was leased by Mr W Downey with the intention of converting it to a modern skate rink. His Majesty’s Rink, otherwise known as The Rink, reopened March of 1917.

In 1921 Fuller’s Hall was acquired by Kairanga Auctioneering Co., for storage, display and sale of goods. Stock pens for livestock were built alongside. They also leased part of their space to Mr AC Crossan for his billiards saloon in 1922. Unfortunately, in 1924, the Kairanga Auctioneering Company went into liquidation. In September of that year a tender was accepted from The Palmerston Paramount Pictures Ltd., Company and on the 30th of October 1924, the new Paramount Theatre opened in George Street.

By 1927 this became the De Lux Theatre. The Skating Rink De Lux was opened in July 1931. It was also known as the De Luxe Hall, and many dances were held there. In July of 1937 the hall reopened as The Coconut Grove ballroom. From 1942 to 1945 the hall was known as the ANA Dance Hall (Airforce, Navy, Army) housing a club, lounge and patriotic shop. It was then renamed the George Street Dance Hall. It became the Ballroom Astoria around 1948 and remained so until closing in 1984.

A second picture theatre was built in George Street in 1915 on the site previously occupied by Woodfield Stables. The Palace Theatre opened in November 1915 and remained until gutted by fire in 1935. A newly refurbished theatre opened on the same site in 1936, as the Mayfair (you can see the corner of it here), and ran until 1965. Closed for extensive modernisation, the theatre re-opened in December of 1965 and was now called the Odeon. The Mayfair had become part of the Kerridge Odeon Corporation in 1946. The Odeon stayed until its demolition in 1992.

Renumbering: The addresses on George Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.79 and p.80 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.

Built Heritage Inventory:

• Soldiers’ Club, 1-7 George Street, 1917. The building became a Poppy Place in 2018.
• Andrews Building, 36 George Street, 1929.
• Nash Building, 42-50 George Street, 1925 (stage 1), 1929 (stage 2).
• Astoria Ballroom, 52-56 George Street, 1910.

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The Square Circular was Palmerston North City Council's monthly community publication, informing Palmerstonians of PNCC initiatives, activities and events. This month's issue includes: The Esplanade, noise control, Tom Croskery, pedestrian crossing in the Square, budget surplus, farmers' market, Vogel street pensioner units, Vision Manawatū's Smart Business Acceleration programme, Christmas parade, New Years' eve in the Square, Christmas in the Square, Arena, Esplanade day, rose trial grounds, The Regent, special olympics, Te Manawa.

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A view of Coleman Place facing towards George Street.

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The Square Circular was Palmerston North City Council's monthly community publication, informing Palmerstonians of PNCC initiatives, activities, and events. This month's issue includes: Barber Hall, Totara Road wastewater treatment plant, environmental education, District Plan Review, customer services centre hours, library book launch, library poetry nights, disability access, Destination Manawatu, Festival of cultures, Children's day in The Square, Summer in the park concerts.

Name: Bourke Street, interchangeably called Burke Street, is named after roading contractor, Mr Bourke, who put the street through in 1875. Papers Past show that there was a Mr D Burke operating as a roading contractor in the Manawatū in the 1880s and 1890s.

The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.

History: Deposited 24 March 1875, D.P.22 (the Cuba Street end) was subdivided in 1875. The sections were owned by Arthur William Follett Halcombe, an early settler of Feilding, and the surveyor was Thomas McKay Drummond. D.P.1195 was subdivided in 1901 and the sections owned by Charles E Waldegrave.

In 1876, the Clausen brothers, Christian Nicolai and Johan Frederick, first laid eyes on Palmerston as children of early Scandinavian settlers. They recalled the Bourke and Waldegrave street blocks being great paddocks of oat crops.

October 23, 1880, a special meeting of the Palmerston Borough Council was held to consider reports from the Reserves Committee and sub-committee. The latter presented a “Report of the Division of the Town.” This was a recommendation of general allocation of costs for street clearing and formation, based on the town map. Councillor Coleman said he would have preferred a breakdown by street in which outlay was expected. His Worship, Mayor James Linton, could not see the necessity, as per the report all the town streets would either be cleared or formed. Councillor Coleman pointed out that there may be streets the sub-committee members were unaware of – Bourke and Campbell streets for example. The sub-committee affirmed it was unaware of Bourke Street and hadn’t counted Campbell Street, a private street on a piece of land cut up by Mr Halcombe, leading to a large paddock. Councillor Coleman asserted that the latter was on the map and residents on both contributed revenue to the town. There was discussion around the concern that if the council were to take over and spend money on private streets, they would be springing up all over the place. Councillor Ferguson stated that if Campbell Street was on the map as a public street, then its development was in fact covered by the report. If not, the Council would not be justified in spending money on the street. The report was received and adopted.

In October of 1902, Mr Arthur Giorgi went into partnership with Mr Maurice Millar, to establish the menswear firm of Millar & Giorgi in the Square. They opened a Hastings branch of the same in December of 1905. Mr Arthur Giorgi married Miss Beatrice Humphreys in 1904 and the Giorgi’s lived at 7b Bourke Street (owning the properties at no. 7) until 1918, when they moved to the Hawkes Bay to manage the Hastings branch. Arthur’s brother, Mr Louis Giorgi, Hairdresser & Tobacconist, plus fishing tackle supplier, lived at 24 Bourke Street. His store was also in the Square.

Early business on the street included:

Many short-term businesses, such as chimney sweeping, clairvoyant healing, eye specialist, landau cabs, and dressmaking, were operated from residents' homes. There was also a healthy trade in poultry.

Ward Bros., Painters and Paperhangers, operated from 22 Bourke Street from 1911 to 1919. At that stage the business had outgrown the site and they moved to a new premises in Cuba Street.

The Carow Ladies’ College, also known as Carow Girls Collegiate School, moved a number of times from its inception in 1891. From 1912 to 1914 the Carow School of music and painting ran at 47 Bourke Street. This was the residence of principal, Mrs Elizabeth Von Blaramberg, and her husband Mr Cecil Augustus Victor Hortezzi de Cortando von Blaramberg.

From 1924 to 1928, Miss Ulu Hancock, provided tuition in elocution and dramatic art, from her parents’ house at 7b Bourke street. Her father, Allen, was a motorcycle dealer. The property was sold in 1936. Miss Ulu Hancock then recommenced tuition in 1938 from 72 Bourke Street.

In 1929, the Boniface brothers, John and Amos, modernised their bakery and confectionery business (established 1916) with a purpose-built bakehouse near the corner of Cuba and Bourke Street. It had a frontage of 66 feet. Circa. 1936, the Boniface Brothers Bakery extended their business into Bourke Street, 70 feet, with the establishment of a small goods manufacturing department.

Renumbering: The addresses on Bourke Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.89 and p.90 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.

Name: The origin of the name, Campbell, is unknown. The street went through in two sections at the same time as Bourke Street, 1875. There is speculation that Campbell may have been a partner of Bourke, a roading contractor. This is not yet substantiated.

There was a Wellington based partnership, Messrs. Alexander Campbell and Daniel Burke, builders, joiners and contractors who worked around the lower North Island from the early 1900s. However, the timing does not match.

The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.

History: The Cuba Street end of Campbell Street, section 304 (a third of the street) was put through in 1875. The Featherston Street end, section 299, followed in 1890. Both sections appear to have been purchased by Arthur William Follett Halcombe, an early settler of Feilding. By 1877-78 John James Waldegrave owned one property on section 299, while there were seven houses and a stable on the Cuba Street end. By 1883-84 the Featherston Street end, section 299, was owned by Benjamin Manson.

October 23, 1880, a special meeting of the Palmerston Borough Council was held to consider reports from the Reserves Committee and sub-committee. The latter presented a “Report of the Division of the Town.” This was a recommendation of general allocation of costs for street clearing and formation, based on the town map. Councillor Coleman said he would have preferred a breakdown by street in which outlay was expected. His Worship, Mayor James Linton, could not see the necessity, as per the report all the town streets would either be cleared or formed. Councillor Coleman pointed out that there may be streets the sub-committee members were unaware of – Bourke and Campbell streets for example. The sub-committee affirmed it was unaware of Bourke Street and hadn’t counted Campbell Street, a private street on a piece of land cut up by Mr Halcombe, leading to a large paddock. Councillor Coleman asserted that the latter was on the map and residents on both contributed revenue to the town. There was discussion around the concern that if the council were to take over and spend money on private streets, they would be springing up all over the place. Councillor Ferguson stated that if Campbell Street was on the map as a public street, then its development was in fact covered by the report. If not, the Council would not be justified in spending money on the street. The report was received and adopted.

For a comprehensive history of the street's development, businesses, and who lived there, plus the Community Housing Improvement Scheme of the early 1980s, take a look at the lecture notes of Brian Mather and supplementary material from the Palmerston North Historical Society, circa. 2006.

The notes include a history of Campbell Street School, 1890-1922.

The Church of Christ was first established in Palmerston North in 1905. Meetings were originally held in private residences. In 1913, they established a central meeting place at 100 Campbell Street. Congregation members commenced work on the site of a new church in Botanical Road in 1959.

The former Church of Christ became home to the Savage Club. Beginning as a London gentlemen’s club in 1857, the Savage Club spread throughout the colonies. The Manawatū chapter was founded in 1908 as a literary society and entertainment club. In 2020, it was rebranded as OnStage Manawatū.

Renumbering: The addresses on Campbell Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.87 and p.88 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.

The Square Circular was Palmerston North City Council's monthly community publication, informing Palmerstonians of PNCC initiatives, activities, and events. This month's issue includes: lagoon bore, draft 10 year plan, the defence community, cemetery and cremation charges, Manawatu Supporting Families in Mental Illness, Russell Bates, Tremaine Avenue roading, Pioneer Highway roading, Destination Manawatu, community gardens, graffiti removal kits, Ashhurst Domain, Performing Arts Trust Scholarships, Globe Theatre awards, The Regent, Summer in the Park concerts.

The Square Circular was Palmerston North City Council's monthly community publication, informing Palmerstonians of PNCC initiatives, activites, and events. This month's issue includes: urban development, welcome packs, suburbs brochures, district plan, civil defence and emergency planning, resealing roads programme, recycling bins at events, bus shelters, Memorial Park, Kahuterawa outdoor recreation plan, The Stomach, Christmas in The Square, New year's eve in The Square, Te Manawa exhibition, librarian Jay Robinson, Lesley Courtney.

The Square Circular was Palmerston North City Council's monthly community publication, informing Palmerstonians of PNCC initiatives, activites, and events. This month's issue includes: wastewater treatment plant, easy pay rates, recycling roading, E waste, community consultation meetings, Manawatu Zonta exhibition, Memorial Park play equipment, interpreters, 10 year plan, council nursery, Plain English awards, Merv Hancock lecture, signage, Matheson Reserve, library summer reading programme, Te Manawa, New year's eve in the Square, Arena entrance.

The Square Circular was Palmerston North City Council's monthly community publication, informing Palmerstonians of PNCC initiatives, activites, and events. This month's issue includes: parking meters, Square Edge, street lights, Caccia Birch, Dr Bernard Forde, access way by Aokautere Shopping Centre, community consultation, The Regent, Business Friendly Strategy, Elaine Reilly, gambling venues policy review, parking team Heads Up cards, call centre, Youth Council, Pit Park, Jaycee Trust Scholarships, community events programme, Christmas parade, Centrepoint theatre, heritage buildings.

Name: The origin of the name, Lombard, is unknown.

The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.

History: As one of the city’s oldest, Lombard Street was constructed in two parts. The southern Cuba Street end, D.P.35, section 300, was surveyed in 1875. The northern Featherston Street end, D.P.206, section 303, was surveyed in in 1881. The latter section was owned by Joseph Edward Nathan, of Joseph Nathan and Co., the agricultural supply firm that evolved into Glaxo. Each section was of equal length and the Borough Council commenced subdivision in 1883.

On January 22, 1881, the first official horse race meeting was held. The course ran from Lombard Street, along Featherston Street, through the Showgrounds, and then Cuba Street. At that stage it was all open ground. Boxing Day race meetings had been occurring in the general area since 1871, on barely cleared land.

In 1930, pioneer WM Anderson, wrote a letter to the editor of Manawatū Standard including past reflections of his time as a tenant on Lombard Street, circa. 1883-5. With the street belonging to two parties there was some tension between the subdivisions. A high fence was built, blocking those with houses at the northern end from entering town. As a result, delivery services from butchers, bakers and milkmen, also had to forgo the more direct southern route (from Cuba Street) and access their northern customers via Featherston Street. When a hole was struck through the fence, yet another barrier was raised, a padlocked gate. The padlock was leased to a man who asked sixpence a week from each householder for the privilege of its use. Eventually the fence was cut down on the condition that northern end owners buy a quarter acre section on the southern end as well.

Orange Lodge Trustees (a Protestant organisation) purchased property in Lombard Street in 1883-4. The Orange Hall was constructed and became a meeting hub for many groups, organisations, and clubs thereafter. Here is an image of the Promoters and First Officers of Loyal Orange Lodge No. 65, Star of Freedom. The hall was gutted by a fire in 1915 and rebuilt as the Orange Lodge Hall. In 1931 Orange Lodge temporarily housed 54 students from Central School.

A bowling club was established in Palmerston North in 1890. The Lombard Street site was purchased in 1890 by Mr J Walkley and the green established. Play began the following year and Mr Walkley reigned as club president for 12 years. With the club owning property in Lombard and Taonui Streets. The Taonui Street side was developed into a bowling green from 1907. Combined with Lombard Street it amounted to two full sized greens. Mr JA Nash (here bowling with his wife, Elizabeth), was president of the club from 1910 to 1912. By 1925, due to financial restraints, the Lombard Street frontage was sold and a new pavilion built on the Taonui Street side.

For a comprehensive history of the street's development, businesses, and who lived there, take a look at the lecture notes of Brian Mather and supplementary material from the Palmerston North Historical Society, circa. 2006.

Renumbering: The addresses on Lombard Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.85 and p.86 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.

Built Heritage Inventory:

• 32 Lombard Street, 1889-1890.

Tangimoana School Golden Jubilee reunion

Annual performance by the City Kindergarten Mothers' Club (club name may need correction)

Annual performance by the City Kindergarten Mothers' Club (name of club may need correction)

A performance by the Godfrey Phillips factory social club in Feilding (1955)

Godfrey Phillips factory social club following a performance 

Back Row: D. Armstrong, D. Biss, W. Cherrie, R. Brownlee
Middle Row: A. Biss (Club Captain), C. Rautahi, G. Brougham, G. Page, L. Middlemiss,
P. Thompson, H. Harkness (Captain)
Front Row: W. Hautapa, K. Gray, J. Cantlon (Vice Captain), J. James (Captain), D. Gawn, R. Lewis,
J. Young
Absent: I. Cousins, R. Barber, G. Northcott

Winners Polson Banner      Runners-up M.R.F.U. Junior Competition

Back Row: P. Perry, E. Cowley, L. Mummery, D. McLeod
Middle Row: D. Gray, M. Dick, S. Bartlett, D. McDowell, F. Bailey, G, Page, B. Plimmer
Front Row: R. Kelly, G. Brougham, M. Penman, K. Coombes (Vice Captain), A. Kells (Captain), S. Saili, E. Signal, R. Mitchell, Mr Wilson