Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. History of the Square Edge building and development of section 676, its site. The front portion original building was erected on the site in the 1870s, with further buidings built in 1892, 1924 and 1945. The buildings' history has been affected by fires and earthquakes. It is scheduled for earthquake strengthening in the near future (2024).
Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. Mystery surrounds an unsigned painting donated to Manawatu Museum in 1986. It came with memorabilia from the old Collinson and Cunninghame department store. The painting, depicting three soldiers, was set up in the store's display window each Anzac Day during the 1940s and 1950s. The relevant war, and the artist who painted the work, are unknown.
Two polaroid photographs showing students on road patrol duty outside Awapuni Primary School. The young girl on the left in both photos holding the road patrol sign is Tina Falloon, daughter of Zona Falloon (née Broughton).
A celebration of writing by students from non English speaking backgrounds at Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School.
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 Wellington. 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. 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 green was established in Lombard Street in the early 1890s. The site was purchased in 1890 by Mr J Walkley and the bowling 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. By that stage Mr JA Nash, was president of the club. 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:
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 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:
Name: Taonui Street is named from Taonui Swamp. While the literal meaning is "big spear" or "big catch," it is a metaphor for an abundance of food and resources.
The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.
History: Taonui Street was the first subdivision in the town, with the northern end (Featherston Street end) D.P.1, surveyed in 1872. The owner of this section (301) was WHW Haines. Through an oversight it was not dedicated until 1951. The southern end (Cuba Street end) D.P.16, was surveyed in 1874, being section 302, owner not stated. Taonui Street is one of the first streets to have a continuous row of dwellings. By 1878 there were seven houses at the northern end and six at the southern.
In the early 1880s the area around Taonui Street was known as the 'fashionable quarter' and had the nickname, "New Chum Town." Taonui Street later acquired the name "Soapsuds Alley" because of all the clothslines strung up there.
In 1913 there was talk, initiated by a special committee, of changing the name from Taonui Street to Nelson Street. There was discussion in the Manawatū Standard on preservation of local historial Māori names, versus honouring the overseas hero of Trafalger.
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 Taonui Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.83 and p.84 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.
Built Heritage Inventory:
Name: The origin of the name, Campbell, is unknown. The street went through in two sections at the same time as Bourke Street. There is speculation that Campbell may have been a partner of Bourke.
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 WF Halcombe. 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.
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.
Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. The collection of shops and houses between St Mary's Church and number 89 Ruahine Street holds special memories for many citizens. In the 1950s and 1960s, there has been a dairy, a cakeshop, a coffee shop, a haberdashery, a butcher and a hairdresser on this block opposite the hospital.
Christopher's Hairstylists, owned by "Mr Christopher" Paskins occupied number 89 Ruahine Street for many years. Today, Georgies Wigs and Hair Design lease the front shop space, whilst the back is a residential home.
Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. The 1926 land subdivision sale of RA McKenzie's Estate on Milson Line and the naming of Seaforth Avenue in a street naming competition.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Life story of John Tiffin Stewart (1827-1913) town planner and government surveyor. He was responsible for the planning of Manawatū's towns in the 19th century, including the Palmerston North, Feilding, Rongotea and Halcombe town squares.
Born in Scotland, he moved to Foxton in 1864. He learnt to speak te reo Māori fluently and worked closely and respectfully with local iwi. In later years, he moved to Whanganui, where he was elected to the Borough Council.
Palmerston North City Councillor Lorna Johnson hosts "Making Palmy Home", a Manawatū People's Radio series interviewing migrants about their journeys to Palmerston North. This episode features Haifa.
Palmerston North City Councillor Lorna Johnson hosts "Making Palmy Home", a Manawatū People's Radio series interviewing migrants about their journeys to Palmerston North. This episode features fellow City Councillor Dr. Zulfiqar Butt.
Palmerston North City Councillor Lorna Johnson hosts "Making Palmy Home", a Manawatū People's Radio series interviewing migrants about their journeys to Palmerston North. This episode features Wajeha.
Palmerston North City Councillor Lorna Johnson hosts "Making Palmy Home", a Manawatū People's Radio series interviewing migrants about their journeys to Palmerston North. This episode features Shabbir.
Palmerston North City Councillor Lorna Johnson hosts "Making Palmy Home", a Manawatū People's Radio series interviewing migrants about their journeys to Palmerston North. This episode features Kanchana Seneviratne. Kanchana is the friendly face greeting visitors at Hancock Community House. She is a linguist, teacher, and lived for many years in Italy.
Palmerston North City Councillor Lorna Johnson hosts "Making Palmy Home", a Manawatū People's Radio series interviewing migrants about their journeys to Palmerston North. This episode features Ahmed Obaid. He talks about his experiences of starting a new life in the city as a child and as an adult, and how he coped when the pandemic threw him a curve ball.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. In 1950, the movie "The Secrets of Life" achieved record breaking attendance figures throughout the country and at the local Mayfair Theatre. Its genre was considered "exploitation". It was marketed as a sex-education film and included scenes of childbirth, a Caesarean operation and images of venereal disease. The graphic subject matter generated a lot of interest. Separate screenings were held for men and boys over 14, and women and girls over 14.
A group of five young dancers, pupils of the well-known Palmerston North dance teacher Zona Broughton.
Back row left to right: Andrea Ross and Marilyn Jeffrey. Front row left to right: Linda Borlase, Judith Jeffrey and Angela Ayers.
This young dancer was a pupil of the well-known Palmerston North dance teacher Zona Broughton. The photograph is thought to show either Karen of Leanne Archer.
The well-known Palmerston North dance teacher Zona Broughton presents a certificate to a student, believed to be either Karen or Leanne Archer.
The 7 to 4 Churchyard Cafe. As of 2019 the site was occupied by Churchyard Physiotherapy.
This prize winning cockerel was owned and bred by Reverend W.Lea, Aramaho, Wanganui. The date is thought to be 1923. The cockerel won prizes in poultry shows in Christchurch, Palmerston North, Hawera, Taihape, Waikato, Woodville, Levin and Wanganui.
This plan for the new Palmerston North Post Office was designed by the architect Joshua Charlesworth (1861-1925) for the Public Works Department in 1903. The original plan is held by Archives New Zealand as part of the Public Works Department - Maps and Plans (Series / 22541), Item R18674603.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The story of Cuba Street and surrounding streets from Palmerston North's early days. The street was on the original Palmerston town plan. Its commercial heyday was arguably in the first half of the 20th century, when it was predicted that it could rival Te Marae o Hine/The Square in importance. However, this importance did not endure and Cuba Street is now mostly used as the main route leading to the Showgrounds.
Taonui, Lombard and Campbell Streets are amongst the earlier streets settled in Palmerston North. Brian Mather, as a member of the Local History Study Group, gave a series of lectures to interested members. Later, his lecture notes on Taonui, Lombard and Campbell Streets were published, along with supplementary material provided by the Palmerston North Historical Society (the reformed Local History Study Group).
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. In 1980, Judge Joe Watts sentenced Peter John Howse to six months periodic detention for domestic assault. His comment "The only reason I will not send you to jail this time is [that] the woman assaulted was your de facto wife and by that very fact she was no good and won't be too upset you assaulted her" sparked widespread protests and demonstrations. It led to the 1982 Domestic Protection Act, which increased protections for all women in violent domestic situations.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. In 1926, international ballet dancer Anna Pavlova toured New Zealand. She performed at the Palmerston North Opera House on 11 June 1926.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The life and career of Madame Lauri Alwyn, women's health advocate. Madame Alwyn visited Palmerston North in May 1936 and presented a number of lifestyle, health and fitness lectures. These inspired the formation of the Palmerston North Alwyn Physical Culture Club. Membership rose to over 100 in the 1960s when there were additional branches in Ashhurst, Shannon and Sanson. The club had regular contact with Madame Alwyn, who lived overseas, until she died in 1971. Club members continued to meet until 2003.
