A band set up to play in the Premier Drapery Company (PDC) department store. The Plaza Mall stands where the PDC building used to be located. See also FM 53

PDC (Premier Drapery Company) tea rooms laid out ready for wedding breakfast. The Plaza is now located on the site of this former department store.

PDC (Premier Drapery Company) tea rooms laid out ready for wedding breakfast. The Plaza is now located on the site of this former department store. Also see 2013G_ELMAR-B6_007314

PDC (Premier Drapery Company) tea rooms laid out ready for wedding breakfast. The Plaza is now located on the site of this former department store. Also see 2013G_ELMAR-B6_007313.

A musical band set up to play in the Premier Drapery Company (PDC) department store. The Plaza Mall stands where the PDC building used to be. See also FM52

The four Carr family siblings pose for a family portrait.

The first intermediate school in Palmerston North was opened in 1941 at 300 Ferguson Street. This photograph shows the class taught by Mr Arthur Budd. It was taken to mark the departure of Robert Black, sitting first on the left in the front row. Black had been evacuated from Scotland with his older sister Marjorie for the duration of the Second World War. They were placed with Mr and Mrs Bruce Levy, of Fitzherbert Avenue. Robert Black later returned to Palmerston North and worked as a chef at the Albert Hotel.

The boy and girl class captains sit on either side of Mr Budd. They were Brian Ellwood, later Sir Brian, Mayor of Palmerston North (1971-1985) and June Burgess (later Camplin). Information supplied by June Camplin and other past pupils has helped us identify many of the students.

Front row, left to right: Robert Black; Len Foster; Unknown; Frances Calowell; Molly Foster; Norma Campbell; Brian Ellwood; Arthur Budd (teacher); June Burgess; Matel Speirs; Unknown; Jack Pope; Terry Wynne; possibly Ivan Claridge; Unknown.
Middle row, left to right: Unknown; Unknown; possibly Barbara Johnston; Leslie Cowlinshaw; Unknown; Annette Kingsbeer; Jocelyn Moffat; Joan Sutherland; Marie Warren; Unknown; Unknown; Isabel Beaumont; Margaret [surname unknown]; Phyllis Kelpe.
Back row, left to right: Unknown; Owen Gee; Unknown; Trevor Hill (or Trevor Jenkins); Barry Mills; Unknown; Bill Cherry; Bill Shannon; Peter Wilde; Brian Pegler; possibly someone Hook; Unknown; Unknown; Les Reid; Unknown.

Following her marriage, Patricia Doughty was known as Pat Eyre.

The writing on this truck is only partially legible with the word "Resign" clearly visible on the side, indicating this truck is decorated as part of a capping parade mock protest. The image was taken in front of the National Bank of New Zealand building on the corner of Rangitikei Street and Cuba Streets, circa 1950s. A Capping Day procession, 'Procesh', first took place through the central streets of Palmerston North in 1935. Massey Agricultural College developed into Massey University in the 1960s.

This photograph is believed to be of a Queen Carnival coronation held at the Dannevirke Town hall in December 1940. Queen carnivals were a popular way to raise money for patriotic purposes and to support the war effort. They might incorporate a talent quest, dance, sports contest or concert, and women competed to raise the most money for the cause. The winner was crowned queen. In 1940, 8462 pounds was raised in Dannevirke for the Heart-to-Heart appeal during the Dannevirke and District Queen Carnival. Miss Elsie Grant was the winning candidate.

People dressed in costumes for a theatre production or fancy dress party. Visible are several knights, nuns, friars and ladies.

It is believed to be a photograph of hospital nurses performing a revue at the Opera House 10-11 August 1945, with entertainment and sketches depicting nurses from the past. Proceeds from the shows were to go to patriotic purposes.

The cast of "Life with Father", performed by the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society at the Palmerston North Opera House 22-24 November 1945.
The 16 cast members were: Kay Nichols, Helen Whitehead, Derek Bennett, Ian H. Stewart, Barry Powell, Colin Tucker, Joe Lorigan, Margaret O'Connor, Mavis French, Lorna Proctor, Hector McKay, Joanne Varcoe, Win Cox, John Hunter, Fred Aisher, Beth Jones.

The play was very popular in the 1940s, widely performed in New Zealand and overseas. In 1947 it was made into a film.

Previously unidentified, it is believed this image from the Elmar collection depicts pupils from Palmerston North High School, prior to separation into 'Boy's High' and 'Girl's High respectively.

A group of male students who attended Massey Agricultural College. The man seated in the front row, tenth from the left is Walter Herbert Hill.

This photograph shows Frank (Francis Henry) McCready Sr (1908-1988), founder of Elmar Studios and his wife Pearl Mary McCready (1907-1995). It was taken in the late 1930's, or early 1940.

Jean McCready in her white first communion dress. Jean was the daughter of Frank (Francis Henry) McCready Sr (1908-1988), founder of Elmar Studios and his wife Pearl Mary McCready (1907-1995). She was the second youngest of their five children, Pearl, Frank, Bill, Jean and Mary. The First Communion, or First Holy Communion, is a Catholic Church ceremony. It is the colloquial name for a person's first reception of the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. In New Zealand girls traditionally where a white dress with veil to signify purity.

The man second from left is identified as a Knight of the Order of Merit because of his gauntlents embroidered with KOM. This is part of The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. The man's sash identifies him as belonging to the Mount Egmont No. 7 Branch. See also 2013G_ELMAR-B6_007315 and 2013G_ELMAR-B6_007316.

This unidentified family stand on the porch of their art-deco style home, believed to be 63 Havill Street in Palmerston North

Previously unidentified, this image is part of the Elmer Studios photograph collection.

A group photograph at the Seventh Day Adventist Oroua Missionary School in Longburn.

An unidentified group of children wearing sunhats, pictured with a group of adults, perhaps their carers or teachers. They are in front of the pavilion at Papaioea Park, corner of Ruahine Street and Featherston Street.

An group of unidentified nurses. It appears to be a group of registered nurses and others with a red cross on their headwear.

A group of unidentified women serving in World War Two. The WAAC was attached to the army and carried out certain wartime duties.

Photograph of house (1940s?), presumably taken in Palmerston North. It appears to be situated in a cul-de-sac. The house number reads "27" and front profile appears to match that at 27 Phoenix Avenue.

Terrace End School, Ruahine Street. A previous original Terrace End School building was situated in Main Street in 1884. Mrs Harvey was the first teacher. In June 1884, the School was moved to Deard's Hall in Main Street, near its current location. Mr G.Nye was headmaster. He was followed by D.H. Guthrie, C.H. von Blaremberg and T. F. Fairbrother (by 1893). The School was moved to Terrace Street (renamed Ruahine Street in 1926) in September 1885. Several new buildings were constructed between 1927 and 1960.This photograph probably shows the new school building that was officially opened by R. A. Wright, Minister for Education, in July 1927.

An exterior image of Terrace End School, circa1940s. The original school building was established in Main Street in 1884. In 1885 the school moved to its present location on Ruahine Street (previously Terrace Street, until 1926). Several new buildings were constructed between 1927 and 1960.

An exterior image of Terrace End School, circa1940s. The original school building was established in Main Street in 1884. In 1885 the school moved to its present location on Ruahine Street (previously Terrace Street, until 1926). Several new buildings were constructed between 1927 and 1960.

Military kit laid out in prescribed fashion for inspection during the Second World War. the blanket identifies the owner of the kit as E B(?) Paterson, No. 2/41/30 CPL (Corporal). Also see 2011N_ELMAR-2-B10_005238.

This voluntary group (later paid) was set up during WWII. The women had to pass First Aid and mechanics' exams, as well as hold a heavy traffic license to enable them to drive ambulances for the Palmerston North Hospital. They also worked for the Palmerston North Army area, meeting sick and wounded off trains and driving them for treatment.

Two figures in naval uniform stand alongside two women dressed in wedding attire. Elmar Studio wedding portraits are usually composed with the bride and groom in the centre of the photograph, flanked on either side by the bridesmaid and groomsman.