This roading plan for the development of Stanley Avenue shows the name Frits Street crossed out and replaced with Russell Street. In response to the First World War, several Palmerston North streets with German-sounding names were renamed.
This brochure outlines the amenities and fees associated with the Municipal Opera House.
The information for this image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 20th February 1979.
"The long awaited appearance locally by Video is taking place this weekend at the Albert Motor Lodge. Phil Scott and the rest of the band have been rehearsing hard, especially for this gig. After the Albert, Video are to appear at Massey Orientation week, and at the Majestic Hotel next Tuesday before embarking on their North Island Tour."
Palmerston North experienced flooding of the Manawatū River in early May 1941. This reached a peak level of 19 feet, two inches (584 cm) at the Fitzherbert Bridge gauge on 4 May 1941, the highest level recorded since 1902. The total area covered (exclusive of river accretations) was 622 acres. Residents in Hokowhitu and Te Matai had to be evacuated with assistance from territorial army units, with people needing to be rescuted from attics, roof tops, islands, and in one case, from a telegraph pole.
This plan relates to Contract No. 62. The specifications for "the Erection of buildings for the Boiling Down and Tallow Departments of the Municipal Abattoir at Awapuni" state: "The works comprised in this Contract consist of the necessary amount of stripping, excavation, fillings, timbering, centreing, scaffolding, unwatering, concrete and brickwork, leading surplus material to spoil, Carpenters', Joiners', Plumbers', Smiths', and other tradesmen's work, making good all disturbed surfaces and any other work, materials, or things required; all in accordance with the accompanying plans, Specifications, General Conditions of Contract, and as shall from time to time be supplied by the Engineer."
The Manawatu Evening Standard reported on 4 September 1928, "Instructions were given [to] the borough engineer at last night's meeting of the council to call for tenders for the erection of a shelter and conveniences at the new cemetery." The Palmerston North Borough Council accepted the tender submitted by T. E. Sapwell, to construct the facilities at a cost of £459. The specifications for Contract No. 104, which relates to this plan, are held in the Palmerston North City Council Archives (PNCC 4/7/2:6:5).
He Ara Kotahi pathway which connects cyclists and pedestrians between Palmerston North and Linton Military Camp, Massey University and Food HQ. The name means a pathway that brings people together. The lighting design aims to create the illusion that the bridge is floating on the Manawatū River.
This plan relates to Contract No. 314. The specifications for this contract state: "The work comprising this contract includes all the necessary excavation and removal of spoil and the construction in reinforced concrete of the underground pump pit, suction well, and bifurcating chamber, together with the motor room above, and all other work required to complete the station in strict accordance with the accompanying plan, this specification, and the conditions of contract and to the entire satisfaction of the Engineer" (PNCC 4/7/2:14:3).
Built as a Public Hall in 1911 to mark the Coronation of George V, it served as such for the next 50 years. The hall was renovated and modernised in 1939 at a cost of £496. The Terrace End Development and Progressive Association held a concert on 6 December 1939, to celebrate the completion of these renovations. In 1962 the Coronation Hall was bought by the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society (later Manawatū Theatre Society) to became a playhouse. In 1996 it was bought by Douglas and Moana Hann, who renovated the building into a home. As of 2014, it is the premises of a painting and decoration business.
Built as a Public Hall in 1911 to mark the Coronation of George V, it served as such for the next 50 years. The hall was renovated and modernised in 1939. The Terrace End Development and Progressive Association held a concert on 6 December 1939, to celebrate the completion of these renovations. In 1962 the Coronation Hall was bought by the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society (later Manawatū Theatre Society) to became a playhouse. In 1996 it was bought by Douglas and Moana Hann, who renovated the building into a home. As of 2014, it is the premises of a painting and decoration business.
Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. Maurice Costello was a dedicated press photographer who spent 35 years recording Palmerston North's daily news. He joined the Manawatū Standard in 1962 and retired in 1997.
Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. Annie Besant was a charismatic speaker whose 1908 visit sparked local interest in Theosophy. A local branch of the New Zealand Theosophical Society was formed in 1911 and the Theosophical Society Hall in Church Street opened in 1924.
Includes details of land purchased and land under offer.
Layout of the Transit Camp in Hokowhitu, on what became the site of the Palmerston North Teachers College and later Massey University Hokowhitu campus. After WWII there was a shortage of housing in New Zealand, and this camp provided temporary accommodation for families in need. Bathrooms were not a feature of the units and ablution blocks were supplied for use. The aptly named "H" unit was the most common plan used for the housing. The camp ran from about 1946 to 1960.
Proposed layout for part of the Transit Camp in Hokowhitu, on what became the site of the Palmerston North Teachers College and later Massey University Hokowhitu campus. After WWII there was a shortage of housing in New Zealand, and this camp provided temporary accommodation for families in need. Bathrooms were not a feature of the units and ablution blocks were supplied for use. The aptly named "H" unit was the most common plan used for the housing. The camp ran from about 1946 to 1960.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Rostrata private maternity hospital ushered thousands of Palmerston North babies into the world 1918-1962. Named after a large red gum tree on the site (eucalyptus rostrata), it was situated on a one acre section on the corner of Ruahine and Ferguson Streets. For many years its homely care was a popular maternity option. When Palmerston North Hospital opened its new 40 bed maternity section in March 1962, Rostrata was no longer required. The buildings were sold and converted into flats before being demolished in 1973.
This walking trail brochure was produced in 1993 from information researched by Ian Matheson. It was reprinted in 1996.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The history of Zonta Club of Manawatū, established in 1975. Zonta International is a global organisation working to improve the lives of women and girls through service and advocacy on issues that impact them.
Zonta Manawatū has become well established in the Manawatū community with involvement in a wide range of activities, fundraising and awards for women. The club is proud of its history of service and advocacy, which it is determined to continue.
This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 02 February 1958, page 6: "About 300 persons travelled by train to Plimmerton today for the City Council picnic. Here is seen a group awaiting the departure of the train."
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. From 1890, Arbor Day in New Zealand was celebrated in the first week of August. Trees would be planted, usually in schools, public places, official parks and gardens. In 1965, twenty Norfolk pines were planted in Aorangi Street, Feilding, to mark the day. Fifteen have survived to date (2025). Arbor Day changed in 1977 to early June to combine with World Environment Day.
The origin of the name, Lombard, is unknown. The street is included and named on James Mitchell’s 1866 Plan of Town and Suburban Lots: Township of Palmerston. James Mitchell was the District Surveyor.
The image is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923 by HR Farquar, Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor.
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 (although there may have been dwellings there as early as 1872). The northern Featherston Street end, D.P.206, section 303, was surveyed in in 1881.
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 bush land.
Section 303 was owned by Mr Joseph Edward Nathan, of Joseph Nathan and Co., owners of the agricultural supply firm that evolved into Glaxo. Sections 300 and 303 were of equal length, and the Borough Council commenced subdivision in 1883.
In December 1930, pioneer Mr WM Anderson, wrote a letter to the editor of Manawatū Standard including past reflections of his time as a tenant and owner on Lombard Street. Rate books show that his landlord Richard Coker had a residence on Lombard Street from 1881, and William Anderson owned a house from 1884 to 1888. Both properties were on the northern end.
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, 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.
In 1885 Lombard Street was completely formed and metalled. Channels were then made, using a plough and the borough horses. In 1886 a loan was authorised to be raised for the improvement of private streets, Lombard Street being one. Monies were dispersed on a pro rata basis in each ward. Lombard Street was valued at £271.
It was from 1900 to 1910 that the street saw the most progress in a municipal sense. Footpaths were formed, kerbed and gravelled; with regular top-dressing of sand and tar. The drainage scheme was extended to Lombard Street in 1900. Reports of houses with overflowing cesspits in 1904, eventually led to the excavation of sewer pipes in 1906. In 1908, a streetlamp was moved from Featherstone Street (later Featherston Street) to the Lombard Street junction. The following year, residents planted trees along the street.
The next decade was one of up-keep and repairs as required.
In July of 1930, the width of gas mains were increased to improve capacity to cookers and heating units.
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.
The addresses on Lombard Street were renumbered in 1937. See p.159 and p.160 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.
![New Street for Mr. R. J. Burke, Palmerston North [Shamrock Street]](https://d28dhd8eubcyz4.cloudfront.net/iiif/2/curtis-production2-cache%2F1%2Fd%2Fb%2Fd3d51e-5c35-4967-be52-734df6938939%2Fresize_master_5eddf023926fb5e8a3108ee3bee605e6.jpg/full/!440,512/0/default.jpg?sig=55f40a70cb619f5da5de974fbfe641c8c652b060&ver=1749604658&v=1.2.3 "New Street for Mr. R. J. Burke, Palmerston North [Shamrock Street]")
