Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Significance of Madge Allsop, born Marjorie Kiri McWhirter. Madge (played by actor Patricia Emily Perry) was a fictitious character invented by Australian satirist Barry Humphries in the 1980s. She acted as the long-time companion and former bridesmaid of his comedy charcter Dame Edna Everage. Madge was reported to have come from Palmerston North. In 1994 the Madge character was invited to return to the city for a promotional tour.

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 8th April 2025.   Became interested in pipe organs at an Upper Hutt church. The organist was an organ builder. Sung in the church choir and learned about the organ from the organist. He moved to Auckland in 1970 and started an apprenticeship with organ builders, George Croft & Son. He helped to rebuild the Auckland Town Hall organ. Also worked on smaller organs and designed organs. Pipes are made in England from tin and lead. Different percentages create different tones Computer type Cat 6 cables have replaced multi-stranded cables between the console and organ. Mechanical and pneumatic action became electronically controlled.  The acoustic properties of venues and cabinetwork must be considered in design. Planning is important because you don’t hear it until it’s finished. A voicer is employed to tune the pipes when they are installed in their final place. Organs are re-tuned once a year and need to be rebuilt occasionally. George worked on Auckland organs at Anglican Cathedral and St. Matthews in the city. He started his own business in 1984. Organs are custom built for the building where they will be located. 

 Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 22nd April 2025. Part 2 of 4.   As a signalman he travelled on a NZ Navy cruiser to Sydney, Newcastle and Darwin. In the Darwin harbour he saw many ships sunk by the Japanese during the second world war. Went to Singapore. It was very dirty. Patrolled off the west coast of Malaya. Went on to Manila with an Australian ship. More sunken ships in Manila harbour. Received a New Zealand Operational Services medal from NZ government. Experienced a typhoon in the South China Sea in the New Zealand – the worst storm he has ever been in. Returned to New Zealand via Singapore, Freemantle and Hobart. Larger ships had a Master of Arms who controlled discipline. His second trip was 14 months taking a cruiser to Britain. The ship was riddled with cockroaches. Returned to New Zealand with another ship.   

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 6th May 2025. Part 4 of 4.   Served 29 years in the New Zealand Navy. Toured the world and got paid for it. Was appointed to The Royalist (a light cruiser) on its maiden trip to New Zealand with a crew of about 550. Carried out acceptance trials in the English Channel. He was part of the guard who welcomed Queen Elizabeth II to Auckland. He played the bugle. Was also the bugler for the commissioning of HMNZS Royalist.then gave up playing the bugle. The Royalist was involved in the Suez War in 1956 until NZ prime minister Sidney Holland withdrew it. Received the New Zealand General Service medal. 

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 4th February 2025. Part 1 of 3.  Rosalie grew up in Brunswick near Whanganui and began to work on the family farm in the late 1940s. Went to Brunswick school which had 40 pupils. Milked two cows by hand after school and carried out other farm work while she was young. Dianne grew up on a dairy farm which also had pigs. Local farmers helped each other with haymaking etc. Dianne preferred town life rather than rural. Rosalie eventually moved to Stanway in the Manawatu.  Rosalie once fell in a sheep dip. She went home and had a shower. Her skin peeled off. Later changed to spraying the sheep. There were 800 Romney sheep. Farming became unprofitable so husband Brian worked in Feilding and Rosalie worked at Ashhurst school and farming became part time. Rosalie eventually went teaching. Opted to teach junior children.  Lived in a YWCA hostel and shared a room with three others.  Very soon met Brian who was to be her husband. He was an engineer. Went to country dances and dances at the Ballroom Astoria with a jazz band and a dance band.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 11th February 2025. Part 2 of 3.  It was possible to go to a country dance every week but not now. Ladies preparing supper looked after babies while other mothers danced. Suppers with homemade food were marvellous – cream sponges, pikelets, shortbread, brandy snaps. Country dances faded out and cabarets became common. Dresses used to have full skirts some with multi-layer petticoats. Mothers made dresses. Rosalie used to spin wool and knit it. It was a very busy rural life. She talks about feeding shearers and other contractors. Meat for meals was mostly grown on the farm – lamb. mutton, rabbits, poultry. Dad went fishing. Mother made brawn. No freezers. Meat was kept in a large tank which was cooled by water. Sharing and companionship was common in the rural communities. Rural Women’s Institute. Until Rosalie was 12 the family didn’t have a car and father used to bike 11 miles to town. Mailman delivered bread and groceries.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 18th February 2025. Part 3 of 3. Many farms had old equipment associated with horse drawn vehicles. Brian Hunter headed a committee to set up a museum. A museum was established in an old factory in Bowen Street, Feilding. The building was shared with Feilding & Districts Community Archive headed by Marilyn Wightman. They stayed at Bowen Street for about ten years but outgrew it. A large building in South Street, Feilding, became available. Higgins family helped to finance it. Developed into several themes including wool history, horse drawn vehicles and John Deere tractors. A large mural was painted on the outside wall showing the history of rural Manawatu. Patronage has increased since the Covid shutdown. Introduced practical demonstrations. Brian Hunter room established for meetings. Not many of the original members left but a younger group of retirees coming on now. 

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 25th February 2025. Part 1 of 2.  Born in Palmerston North and lived in Bunnythorpe until she was 19 years old then moved to Hawkes Bay to teach. Father worked at electricity sub station at Bunnythorpe. A lot of trains through Bunnythorpe. While at school she used to read to the junior school. She enjoyed it and decided she wanted to be a teacher. Went to Palmerston North teachers college in 1968/69 on the last two year course in NZ. Minimum qualification for teachers college was endorsed school certificate. Teachers college was in Princess Street where UCOL is. A lot of practical work in schools while training. Discusses various form of teaching maths and reading. Wendy taught year three and four students at Tikokino in Central Hawkes Bay. Taught at a two teacher school at Wimbledon in Tararua. Was acting principal at two schools in the late 70s. There were more women principals after the 1970s  

 Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 4th March 2025. Part 2 of 2.  She was bonded to the Ministry of Education for three years. She worked out her bond at Wimbledon then went to Norsewood in Hawkes Bay where she taught older children. Once a term there was a NZEI rural schools course in Dannevirke. Also other courses were available. City schools had more support from other teachers than she experienced at rural schools. Rural schools combined for sports fixtures. She left Hawkes Bay and went to teach at Karori Normal school in the mid 1980s. It had three sections and Wendy taught the middle school. Shifted to Palmerston North and relieved in schools teaching mainly new entrant classes. She experienced the change from three term years to four term years. She is still doing relief teaching. Has hobbies – crochet, embroidery, yoga, reading and is a member of U3A   

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 18th March 2025. Part 1 of 2.   Born on a dairy farm in Taranaki. Father joined the army. The family shifted to Waiouru and later transferred to Linton in 1960. He enjoyed growing up at the Waiouru military base. He attended Marist Brothers all boys high school (now St Peters) in Palmerston North until 1965. Played rugby, cricket, tennis, athletics and squash. In those days there was late night shopping on Friday and shops closed during the weekend. He became an electrical apprentice then worked at Dairy Research Institute as an instrumentation technician. He noticed a class distinction at work. Enrolled in a human development paper at Massey University and carried on to complete a bachelors degree and later became a lecturer in media studies. He found it rewarding. He completed a Masters degree on television news. Internet has made a difference to availability of news. TV news is a ‘sausage factory’ churning out news paid for by advertisers. Journalists tend to go into PR and become press agents for politicians. He became involved as a lighting electrician in live theatre – Centrepoint, Opera House and Regent Theatre. Toured Australia and New Zealand for a year with Jesus Christ Superstar then rejoined DSR in NZ.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 25th March 2025. Part 2 of 2.   Was an apprentice electrician in the late 1960s when he met his wife who was a member of the Palmerston North Operatic Society. Subsequently joined the PNOS and worked with lighting of productions then later at the Palmerston North Opera House. Lighting equipment in those days had no electronics so control boards were large and generated a lot of heat. He became the Opera House electrician and worked with travelling companies. It became a nightly job. He became the house electrician at the Regent Theatre as well as the Opera House. Travelled New Zealand and Australia as lighting technician with Jesus Christ Superstar. Was able to take wife and young son. Returned to New Zealand and became resident lighting designer at Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North for 31 years. Was on the Centrepoint board of trustees. Worked as an AV technician at Massey University at the same time. Completed a BA and MA degree in media studies. Became a tutor then a lecturer. Learned about creating sound tracks for feature films.    

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 1stApril 2025.  Margaret Stephens, Andrew Stephens, Anne Weir, Vicki Marie Buchanan, Alison Mildon, Stuart Birks.   A discussion about old cameras and photography. Illnesses including polio, rickets, tuberculosis and lead poisoning from the printing industry. A discussion about tools – water blasters, leaf blowers, battery tools, plug in tools. Gardens, insects and birds. Use of natural fertilisers. Cooking habits Trees   

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 11th March 2025. Andrew Stephens, Anne Weir, Mike Lawrence, Alison Mildon, Stuart Birks.   Fondue – dip bread on long forks into a bowl of melted cheese. Progressive dinners – each course at a different home. Beer and wine. New Zealanders travelled overseas and brought back exotic food ideas such as spaghetti bolognaise and goulash. Shrimp cocktails. Temuka pottery, usually brown, was common. Percolated coffee. Dutch migrants set up coffee shops in New Zealand. About 1979 world petrol crisis resulted in carless days in New Zealand. Private car owners couldn’t use their cars one day a week. Usage of drugs was very low key although there were a few communes with their own lifestyle.  James K Baxter, a poet and writer, set up a commune at Hiruhārama (Jerusalem) on the Whanganui River. Men wore long hair with sideboards or sideburns. Private radio stations started with a pirate radio station (Radio Hauraki). 

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 15th April 2025. Part 1 of 4.   Joined Royal New Zealand Navy 4th February 1954 at age 15. Grandfather joined Royal Navy in 1899 at age 15. He has two tattoos – one of an anchor and the other a butterfly. At school he was in the sea cadet corp. at Avondale, Auckland. Joined the navy as seaman boy second class because he was below the age of 18. He joined with the ambition of being a signalman but became a telegraphist. Other recruits were a bit rough. He learned how to get on with other people. Still in contact with about five people from his early days. Was close to being an alcoholic at age 18. Avoided being discharged from the navy Wasn’t entitled to a rum ration until the age of 20. Travelled to about 23 different countries.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 29th April 2025. Part 3 of 4.   While serving with the NZ Navy he was in the UK waiting for a ship to be prepared for delivery to NZ. He and a friend went to New Addington at Christmas 1955 to visit an aunt. After a while moved to another aunt who lived nearby. He spent some time with the Royal Navy and travelled to Northern Ireland with other Kiwis. Some of the Kiwis were disciplined. He experienced the early days of television in England and was not impressed. When he returned home he was reluctant to buy a TV but succumbed and got a rental. He observed a lot of bombed buildings in England as a result of WWII. NZ Navy was modelled on the UK Royal Navy  

A club which provides social tennis in Palmerston North. This club meets at its four courts located in Newbury Street every Saturday year round from 1.30pm until around 5.00pm, and on Tuesdays from 4.00pm until around 7.00pm during daylight saving and until dark during the winter months.

Certicate issued to Sydney Alexander Thomson which reads,

"Statement of Service of Apprentice

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that a Contract of Apprenticeship was entered into on the 15th day of July 1937 , between Sydney Alexander Thomson as apprentice, and THE BERRY ENGINEERING WORKS LIMITED as employer, in the Engineering trade for a term of five as apprentice years and that the said apprentice ceased the employment as apprentice on 30th June, 1947 after having served for five years (Specify period served)

The present last known address of the said apprentice is ... 6 Mansford Place, Palmerston North.

Dated at Palmerston North this First day of July 1947.

THE BERRY ENGINEERING WORKS LTD.
[signature]
Employer. Secretary.

42 Ashley Street, Palm. Nth.
Address.

Mr. S. A. Thomson,
6 Mansford Place, PALMERSTON NORTH.

Copy for your information.

[signature]
District Inspector of Factories 2/7/47.

5,000/10/46-11117]"

Sydney's apprenticeship was interrupted by World War Two, during which he served as a pilot in the Fleet Air Arm in England.

Print showing the Palmerston North Technical School class of 1935. The back of the print reads, "PN Technical School 169 Boys - 1935" and "[?] Thomson".

Palmerston North Technical School was founded in 1902, with art classes conducted by the Wanganui Education Board. 1906 saw organization of Technical Classes handed to Palmerston North Boys' High Board of Governors. Mr. F. D. Opie was appointed the first Director in 1908 and worked tirelessly building the role and expanding options until his death in early 1924. the secondary School moved to Rangitikei Street in 1956 and was renamed Queen Elizabeth College.

From left: Susan (born 1941); Dawn (b. 1938); Betty (b. 1944); Zilla (b. 1939). Their mother, Zilla Prebble (nee Brooke-Tayor), born in 1909, was raised in the Palmerston North area. Information suppied by Zilla Torrance (nee Prebble).

The motorcycle in this image has been identified as a 1911 Humber 3.5hp single.

This image comes from a collection of unidentified negatives taken by H M Griffiths in the early 1900s, probably 1910-1920. Many of these negatives are labelled as having been taken in Tokomaru, but many have no information with them. They were donated to the City Archives in 1971. This image was taken from a copy print as the original negative was broken.

These plans for a four-bedroom, single-storey cottage was designed by L. G. West & Son for J. O. Batchelar. The Danish-born architect Ludolph Georg West (1846-1919) established an architectural practice in Palmerston North in about 1880. In 1912 he formed a partnership with his son, Ernest Vilhem West, who continued the business after his father's death.

The Municipal Opera House of Palmerston North, designed by F J Wilson and built by J Trevor and Sons, was erected in 1904-1905 and opened on 12 July 1905. In 1952 it was condemned as unsafe by the Palmerston North City Council and was strengthened and substantially remodelled both inside and out in 1955. It was sold by the PNCC to a businessman in 1994 and demolished in October 1996.

A walking trail that celebrates the vital role women have played in the development of Palmerston North, through sites particularly associated with women. This brochure was prepared by Gaynor White to mark New Zealand's Women's Suffrage Centennial Year. The project was organised by the following women: Pamela Benson, Roni Fitzmaurice, Dorothy Pilkington, Cushla Scriven, Margaret Tate and Jill White.

These photographs show the Scandinavian Club taking part in the opening of the Vasa Exhibition at the Manawatu Museum. The man in the centre of the second and fourth images is Professor Keith Thomson.

This image was taken (but not used) by the Evening Standard on 24 January 1982. It depicts the New Zealand Women’s Cricket team taking on the Indian Women’s Cricket team in a limited over (60) match for the Hansell's Vita Fresh Women's World Cup 1981/1982. The match was held at Fitzherbert Park. New Zealand won by 8 wickets.

Rain doesn't stop play when it's the world cup. Sports journalist (and Central Districts player) Lorraine Vincent reported match conditions had been poor in Palmerston North during the previous day's match between India and Central Districts. Rain had curtailed the game to a 40 over per side match and water had impacted pitch conditions for the International.

Here, Nilima Barve (later Jogalekar) waits for the next over to begin while light drizzle falls around her.

Match result:
New Zealand women won by 8 wickets.
India 78 (50.5 overs)
New Zealand 80/2 (28.1 overs)

Hosting the Women’s World Cup was a huge coup for the New Zealand Women’s Cricket Council. They had managed to secure corporate sponsorship in a time of amateur status in the women’s game. Most matches were well attended and raised the profile of the women’s game in New Zealand, with a marked increase in adult players over the coming years. It was also mired in controversy - the West Indian team pulled out of the event in protest at New Zealand’s acceptance of the touring Springbok Rugby team in 1981. The counties who participated were New Zealand, England, Australia, India and an International XI comprised of international players who had not made their representative sides, plus two players from the Netherlands.

This photograph, showing Dennis Rickards in the backyard of his recently constructed home at 125 Vogel Street, Roslyn, was taken with a Brownie E. camera. Rickards' purchased the property in about 1950 and had a house constructed by A. Arnold in c.1951-52. The wooden wheelbarrow was made by hand by his neighbour, Fred Andrews. The shed on the left served as a chicken coup, bicycle and garden shed. Rickards is digging up the clay soil so that field tiles can be laid.