Palmerston North Railway Station Platform
A view of the entrace to the Palmerston North Railway Station.
Railway Yard, Unidentified
This photograph was created by William James Young in the early 20th century. A large variety of subjects are depicted in the collection, but family, rural life and travel are the most prominent themes. The exact location of the photographs in the Young Collection is unknown, but W J Young lived on a farm in Mt Stewart, Rangitikei, and some of the photographs include his house. The Young family were apparently avid travellers and photographs later in the collection feature scenes from Rotorua, Auckland, Whanganui, as well as other unidentified locations. The portraits are all unidentified, but are presumably of members of the Young family. The photographers parents were George Henry (b 1833) and Jane McDowell (b 1842, d 1916). They came to New Zealand in 1877. The same year, they bought the home farm on Mt Stewart and called it Kilrudden after Kilrudden House, the home of the McDowell family in Ireland. The couple had four children: Ann (b 1873), Margaret (b 1876), John (b 1878) and William James (b 1880). William James married Mary Elizabeth Thompson and they had four children: Doris (b 1914, d 1989), George (b 1916, d 1991), Royden McDowell (b 1925, d 1992) and Noel William (b 1927, d 2013).
A View of Te Marae o Hine / The Square
This photograph of The Square was taken in the vicinity of the Manawatu Standard building. In the foreground is the Lakelet (or Butterfly Lake), followed by the Phoenix Palms that once lived in The Square. The tall building to the right is the The Commercial Union Building, situated on the corner of Rangitikei and King Streets. It was completed in March 1973. In front of this is the former Bank of New Zealand. It was demolished for a new multi-storey BNZ. to the other side of the Rangitikei Street corner can be seen the multi-storey MCL building.
A View of Te Marae o Hine / The Square
the building at centre is the Chief Post Office of Palmerston North. It was completed and opened in 1906, on the site of the previous one, on the corner of Main Street and The Square. The building was later extended along Main Street, and the tower was removed after the 1942 Wairarapa earthquake, as it was considered unsafe. The clock and chimes were put into storage until reinstated in the Hopwood Clock Tower in The Square, which was completed in 1957. The Post Office building is now used as a restaurant and bar. The building on the left is "The Kosy" theatre.
A View of Te Marae o Hine / The Square
This photograph was taken from the tower of the Australasian Temperance and General Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd (T&G) building, near the corner of Broadway Avenue and The Square. This partial view of the Square shows a number of its most recognisable monuments including: the Ladies Rest Rooms, built 1936; War Memorial, unveiled in 1926 to commemorate the casualties of WWI; the second band rotunda, built in 1907, but pulled down in 1956 to make way for the Hopwood Tower; All Saints Church, built 1914. Beyond can be seen the Tararua Mountains. Note that a long train is running through the Main Street line.
A View of Te Marae o Hine / The Square
This photograph of The Square was taken in the vicinity of the PDC building and looks towards the corner of Main Street West and The Square. The building in the centre is the third incarnation of the Commercial Hotel, built 1935. Next to it is the Commercial Building, still standing at 2015, and the DIC (Direct Importers Company). The DIC was constructed in 1927-1928 for CM Ross and Co Ltd. In 1959 CM Ross sold to Milne and Choyce, and in 1966 it was on-sold to the DIC. The DIC subsequently sold to Arthur Barnett in 1989. After closing as a department store in 1991 the building was acquired by the PNCC who extensively redesigned it as the Palmerston North City Library, opening 1996. It is a listed heritage building. The single-storey building opposite, in The Square, is the Rangitane Pavilion, a series of prefabricated buildings that sat opposite Main Street and the Commercial Hotel. The Rangitāne Pavilion was a meeting hall used by the community. When the City Council building were constructed, a room under the Council Chambers was incorporated for community use. It was closed in the mid 1980s.
A View of Te Marae o Hine / The Square
This is a photograph of the Square, oriented towards the portion of the Square between Main Street West and Church Street West. The buildings, from left are: Provincial Hotel (burned down in 1906 and was replaced by the Grand Hotel, now the Grand Cafe and Bar), Daily Times, J Mortensen (watchmaker and jeweller), R Hannah Boot, W Park (bookseller), R Leary (chemist), Leary and Dixon ('The Home of Music') and an unidentified building that was once J Linton's Land Office. The original band rotunda is the prominent feature on the right side of this photograph. On the left is a sign which reads, "Please Keep Off The Grass".
A View of Te Marae o Hine / The Square
This photograph of The Square was probably taken from one of the top storeys of the CM Ross Building (Roscos Department Store) and showcases some of the changes that have taken place in The Square since the 1940s. Note the lack of the Hopwood Clock Tower (built 1957) and the presence of a large band rotunda in its place. This band rotunda was constructed in 1907 and demolished in 1956 during the construction of the clock tower. The train line that once ran through The Square can be seen behind the War Memorial (built 1926). The rail tracks were removed after the completion of the Milson Deviation made them redundant in 1959. Even the vegetation in The Square is markedly different - notice the native cabbage trees that grace it's lawns. One consistency is the marble statue of Te Peeti Te Awe Awe in the quadrant of The Square near to Church Street East. Built in 1907, this statue still stands in the same location today.
A View of Te Marae o Hine / The Square
This photograph was taken from the corner of Rangitikei Street. For many years The Square was divided into 5 sections - four quadrants and a central strip that the railway line ran through. This quadrant is nearest the Broadway corner, and one of the two cannons that were features of The Square from 1909 to the 1940s, can be seen centre. The Post Office,on the left, on the corner of Main Street, was built in 1906 - the clock being named Kerei Te Panau after the chief of the Awapuni tribe. W.F. Durward's is on the right (1908-1915). THe United Farmers Co-Operative Association (on Watson Brothers site) is in the photo, but was closed in 1908. On the left side of the photograph is an advertisement for "Urgent Cabs" and a horse and carriage waiting nearby.
Te Marae o Hine / The Square
Looking towards the clocktower in The Square of Palmerston North. In the foreground can be seen the construction of the new Civic Administration Building, built 1976 - 1979, which when completed straddled the road into The Square.
Te Marae o Hine / The Square
Corner of The Square nearest to Coleman Mall. In the background can be seen the T& G Tower.
Te Marae o Hine / The Square
Aerial photograph of The Square, clearly showing the 4 quadrants and the railway section in the middle. The corner of Broadway and The Square is at the bottom of the photograph.
Te Marae o Hine / The Square
Looking across The Square, probably from the D.I.C. building now the Public Library [2008]. The Post Office is on the left of the photo and the the library building is in the centre of the photograph. The Coronation Fountain can be seen at bottom left, and the clocktower in the centre of The Square, with the wqr memorial in front of it.
Te Marae o Hine / The Square
A view of The Square, overlooking the Rangitikei Street corner and down Broadway. Possibly taken from the roof of the C M Ross department store on The Square. One of a set of images of Palmerston North, produced for sale.
Te Marae o Hine / The Square
This colour slide of The Square shows the The Lakelet in the foreground, the Grand Hotel on the left and All Saints Church in the middle.
Te Marae o Hine / The Square
Corner of The Square closest to Broadway. Beyond can be seen the T & G Tower in Broadway.
Te Marae o Hine / The Square
This image looks down Church Street West, from around the corner of Fitzherbert Avenue.
Aerial View of Te Marae o Hine / The Square
This aerial view of Te Marae o Hine / The Square illustrates the distinct quadrant layout, originating from when Te Marae o Hine / The Square was four quadrants and a central strip separated by roads. Broadway corner is at top left and Coleman Mall corner bottom left, and on the right hand side is Church Street.
Lido Swimming Complex
A view of the entrance to the Lido Swimming Complex, Palmerston North. Situated on Park Street, this is still a popular swimming spot for the people of Palmerston North. The pool was planned in 1964, building got under was 23 January 1965 and was officially opened 15 November 1966.
Crowds at the 1971 Palmerston North Centennial Jubilee Parade
Large crowds of people watch as the floats make their way through The Square for the 1971 Palmerston North Jubilee. Note the children perched in the tree for a better view. 92 floats took part at the Palmerston North City Centennial celebrations of 1971. Approx. 10,000 people were present at the event to celebrate 100 years of Palmerston North.
Woman Feeding Chickens
This photograph was created by William James Young in the early 20th century. A large variety of subjects are depicted in the collection, but family, rural life and travel are the most prominent themes. The exact location of the photographs in the Young Collection is unknown, but W J Young lived on a farm in Mt Stewart, Rangitikei, and some of the photographs include his house. The Young family were apparently avid travellers and photographs later in the collection feature scenes from Rotorua, Auckland, Whanganui, as well as other unidentified locations. The portraits are all unidentified, but are presumably of members of the Young family. The photographers parents were George Henry (b 1833) and Jane McDowell (b 1842, d 1916). They came to New Zealand in 1877. The same year, they bought the home farm on Mt Stewart and called it Kilrudden after Kilrudden House, the home of the McDowell family in Ireland. The couple had four children: Ann (b 1873), Margaret (b 1876), John (b 1878) and William James (b 1880). William James married Mary Elizabeth Thompson and they had four children: Doris (b 1914, d 1989), George (b 1916, d 1991), Royden McDowell (b 1925, d 1992) and Noel William (b 1927, d 2013).
C M Ross Co Ltd lit up for its 50th jubilee
The C M Ross department store is seen here at night during its celebrations, which included a Jubilee sale, to mark 50 years of trading 1883-1933. C M Ross began operating as the 'Bon Marche', on this site in The Square in 1883.
Mr and Mrs James McQueen Murdoch
Courting days of Mr and Mrs McQueen Murdoch (nee Rachel Port) riding side saddle across the Pohangina River from Awahou North to Pohangina. At this time James was a recent arrival from Scotland and Rachel was the eldest daughter of Richard Port. Mr Murdoch was teacher at Awahou North School and then Pohangina School. He later taught at Linton School. He boarded at Awahou North and met Rachel Port. They were married in 1899. Rachel's father was Richard Port, farmer of Awahou North. He came from Northern Ireland, farmed at Sandon and then Awahou North in 1887.
Unveiling of War Memorial, Memorial Park
The obelisk at Fitzroy Park, as it was then called, was unveiled in this ceremony by Major-General Sir Howard Kipenberger. Later, in 1954, the park was dedicated and renamed Memorial Park. The obelisk, in a state of disrepair, was removed in 1983, and now only the gates into the park remain as the memorial.
Christmas display at Collinson and Cunninghame department store
Collinson and Cunninghame were one of the foremost department stores in Palmerston North. They were well-known for their annual Christmas Cave attraction, which occupied 3000 square feet in the basement of the shop. This particular display, entitled "Christmas Land", was especially imported from London and had over forty different moving figures. **Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1937** WHAT’S CHRISTMAS WITHOUT A VISIT TO Collinson & Cunninghame’s MAGIC CAVE Every visitor pays 9d for a Gift from Santa Claus —and then without extra charge you see the wonders of the Cave—nine big attractions, including “Christmas Land” showing the frolics of the animal children at Santa’s Home at the South Pole. And there’s a free ride on the Merry-go-Round for the Kiddies, too! **Manawatu Standard, Volume LXVI, Issue 10, 10 December 1945** Any good at telling fairy stories? You can make a visit to the Magic Cave much more interesting for a youngster by using your imagination. What stories can you tell about Donald Duck's band, the animal children in the Christmas Land showpiece, the hall of enchanted mirrors, the fairy waterfall, and the dollies dancing at the Jubilee Ball. Bring the smaller children to see Father Christmas early, before the school-age children are about.
“P” Class Yachts on Hokowhitu Lagoon
Several P class yachts appear to be racing on Hokowhitu lagoon.
Car in Centennial Parade
A vintage car taking part in the city centennial celebrations makes its way down Main Street East.
The South-East Corner of the Square
Building, from left: [1] Victoria Buildings - built in 1901, demolished c 1928. [2] Bradfield, "The Cash Grocers" [3] The Crown Studios, Whalley and Co. Photographers [4] W Pegden, furnishing warehouse. Established in 1882 by Simmonds and Pegden and continued alone from Pegden alone from 1888. Destroyed by fire in 1891. [5] J A Nash and Co - General Merchants. [6] DM George, draper and clothier [7] Occidental Private Family Department - built c1897; ?; Hood Chemist; Ridley's Tea Depot; ?; Bert Pratt, Hairdresser [8] Occidental Hotel - built c1897, destroyed by fire c1927 [9] Bank of New Zealand, built in 1902 [10] Mellsop, Elliott and Co, - Manawatu Land Agency. [11] T Parkins, butcher [12] Malcolm, "Furnishing Company Ltd". [13] Manawatu Evening Standard - built 1891. The Standard was here from 1903-1910. [14] E O Olsen, Tailor [15] Borough Council Chambers [16] All Saints Anglican Church. The building with a dome, in front of the Evening Standard building, is an observatory.
Army personel, Ashhurst
This group of army personel was taken in Ashhurst, it is thought they could all be related. During the Second World War many racecourses throughout New Zealand hosted Army groups.
Railway line running through The Square
The railway line ran through The Square until 1964. The photograph shows the slight curved deviation made by the Palmerston North Borough Council to allow the war memorial to sit centrally in The Square.