Name: George Street is named after landowner and building contractor, Mr George F Roe.

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

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 George M Snelson having sold sections for some months prior, shops and houses became established rapidly, and land values soared.

Mr George Mathew Snelson and Mrs Louisa Matilda Snelson arrived in Palmerston in December of 1870 and built a general store on the western side of the Square in partnership with Mr EW Mills, his former employer, an ironmonger in Wellington. Opening in 1871, this was the first store in the township. The Snelson’s were later known as the “Father and Mother of Palmerston,” due to their extensive work in the community. By 1877, when the George Street sections came on the market, Mr Snelson (the first mayor of Palmerston North), 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 (George Street). 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 the 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 circa. 1891/2.

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, where rate books show Mrs Nash as the ratepayer on a property 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 1908 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 OA 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 was Mr Wallace John Bruce Jolly, saddler and harness maker (21 George Street, 1907). 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 (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, frontages and entry were 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 Child 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 a skating rink. Building commenced September 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 the 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 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 andp.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.

Name: The origin is unknown. It is assumed to be named after Cuba Street in Wellington. The Wellington Street was named after the ship, "Cuba," which landed immigrants on Petone Beach in January 1840.

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

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.

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.

Name: The street is named for Andrew Young, the owner-driver of the first coach service between Foxton and Palmerston North.

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

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.

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

Waldegrave Cup Winners 1952
Back Row: N. Goodwin, R. Eglinton, I. Steverson, P. Sears
Middle Row: R. Lucinsky, R. Eyre, N. Plimmer, J. Spencer, B. Hume, J. Salter
Front Row: B. Burton, W. Moulton, R. Mitchell, R. Kelly, G. Brougham (Captain), M. Penman,
B. Plimmer, D. Bliss, Mr R. D. Salter

From left: Mr Pollitt, G. Brougham, K. Patel, P. Arlidge, R. Eyre, M. Penman (Captain), D. Biss,
D. Gray, D. Tarrant, G. Eden, L. Mummery (Vice Captain), R. Aird, P. Cloake
Absent: R. Kelly

Basketball team at Tangimoana School in the mid to late 1940s

Tangimoana School's basketball team 1948

School play - all students

The Coming of the Daffodil

Tangimoana School students in 1946

Preparing soldiers for WWII (1939)

The Lucas family outside their cottage in Taipo Road, Rongotea

Students and headmaster/teacher at Tangimoana School in 1949

Tangimoana School reunion

Foxton New World erect a gazebo to shelter waiting customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the nationwide alert level 4, starting 11.59pm 25 March 2000, all the population was required to stay at home. There were severe travel restrictions, with all educational facilities and non-essential businenesses closed. People were permitted to shop for food at a local supermarket, with social distancing required. A lot of people switched to online shopping. There was a limited number of people permitted in the supermarket at any time and people were required to maintain a distance of at least 2 metres, both inside and outside the supermarket.

The alert level was lowered to level 3 on 27 April, partially lifting some lockdown restrictions and down to level 2 on 13 May 2000.

This ten-page report was prepared for the Town Planning Office of the PNCC. The purpose of the report was "to examine the residential site building coverage requirements as laid down in the Palmerston North CIty Council Code of Ordinance. The main consideration in this report is the relationship between acceptable standards of privacy and standards nominated under the regulations." Statistical analysis includes the "Floor Space of Houses and Miscellaneous Buildings in a Sample of 200 Palmerston North Households" and "Percentage Site Coverage Frequency Distribution of Sample Palmerston North Residential Sections".

The report concluded that: the average Palmerston North home had a total floor space of about 1,550 square feet; about 22.3% of the area of most residential sites in the city are occupied by buildings; between 70% and 80% of the area of most residential sites were open space in the form of lawns and gardens. "However, it is likely that as urban land becomes an increasingly greater scarce resource ... residential sites will continue the current pattern of decreases in area."