Palmerston North
This map depicting Palmerston North and parts of the former Kairanga County Council area was drawn by Sergent R. K. Mitchell, 'I' section, 2nd Brigade Group, by Authority of the Central Military District. Its scale is 1:25,000 and it documents which roads are two way or one way and whether or not they are sealed. It also records which bridges are two way or one way together with their maximum loading.
Group at a Regent Theatre party
A group attending a party held at the Regent Theatre. From left to right: Mr and Mrs Hunt Nibblenook; Butler Graham (manager); Pat Johnson; Mark Yusswitch; Zona Broughton.
Ushers at the Regent Theatre
A group of ten ushers at the Regent Theatre, Palmerston North. The woman standing second from right in the back row is Zona Broughton.
Mr. R. S. Abraham
Richard Slingsby Abraham (1851-1942) was a founder of the stock and station agency known as Abraham and Williams Limited. In 1876, when manager of the Bulls branch of the Bank of New Zealand, Mr Abraham acquired an interest in the firm of Stevens and Gorton, stock and station agents, but in 1883 the partnership Abraham was a well known resident of Palmerston North for many years, erecting a two-storey wooden house on the site of the Massey University campus, called 'Tiritea'.
Mrs R S Abraham
Mrs Richard Slingsby Abraham (1858-1943) was formerly Miss Martha Frances Philson of Auckland. She married Richard Abraham (1851-1942) on 27 October 1880, and raised seven children. They lived in Palmerston North until 1903 when their large residence known as 'Tiritea' was built on the Fitzherbert Terrace, to the east of Riverbank Road, on the site now occupied by the old science building of Massey University.
Child Brothers Ltd vehicle fleet
This photograph was taken in the McGiffert Street depot of Child Brothers. Child Brothers Ltd, Carriers and Fuel Merchants, was established in 1919 by Edward G Child and his sons, W J Child & E W H Child. They opened the metal crushing depot and plant at the end of Albert Street near the Manawatu River c.1927. The business later became known as Child Metal Ltd.
When this photo was later reproduced in a newspaper, the caption noted: "Missing from this photograph is a five-horse team. The truck on the left is a Denbigh, while the other five are all Dennis vehicles" (unsourced news clipping, c.1950s).
Bruce Abernethy, motorcycle racer
Bruce MacKenzie Abernethy (1926-1999) was a Wellington dirt bike racer. He was a popular and frequent speedway competitor at the Palmerston North Showgrounds, from 1948 to 1959.
Bruce Abernethy started racing at Taita, Lower Hutt in late 1947 and was noticed by racing great, Wallace "Wally" Kilmister. Kilmister arranged for Abernethy to race for the Wembley Lions in the British Speedway League. On return from his first UK season, 1948, Pamerston North speedway goers watched his performance with anticipation and interest. Abernethy continued to race for the Wembley team until 1951.
Abernethy won consecutive New Zealand Speedway Championships in 1950 and 1951, and continued solo bike racing until 1959.
He was inducted into the New Zealand Speedway Hall of Fame in 2020.
Bruce Abernethy, motorcycle racer
Bruce MacKenzie Abernethy (1926-1999) was a Wellington dirt bike racer. He was a popular and frequent speedway competitor at the Palmerston North Showgrounds, from 1948 to 1959.
Bruce Abernethy started racing at Taita, Lower Hutt in late 1947 and was noticed by racing great, Wallace "Wally" Kilmister. Kilmister arranged for Abernethy to race for the Wembley Lions in the British Speedway League. On return from his first UK season, 1948, Pamerston North speedway goers watched his performance with anticipation and interest. Abernethy continued to race for the Wembley team until 1951.
Abernethy won consecutive New Zealand Speedway Championships in 1950 and 1951, and continued solo bike racing until 1959.
He was inducted into the New Zealand Speedway Hall of Fame in 2020.
Bruce Abernethy, motorcycle racer
Bruce MacKenzie Abernethy (1926-1999) was a Wellington dirt bike racer. He was a popular and frequent speedway competitor at the Palmerston North Showgrounds, from 1948 to 1959.
In the far right corner is Peter Lockett (1929-2000) from Palmerston North and Dene Hollier from Tauranga. Hollier was living in Palmerston North at the time and was foreman at Pink & Collison Ltd., motorcycle dealers. He was also a motorcycle racer.
Bruce Abernethy started racing at Taita, Lower Hutt in late 1947 and was noticed by racing great, Wallace "Wally" Kilmister. Kilmister arranged for Abernethy to race for the Wembley Lions in the British Speedway League. On return from his first UK season, 1948, Pamerston North speedway goers watched his performance with anticipation and interest. Abernethy continued to race for the Wembley team until 1951.
Abernethy won consecutive New Zealand Speedway Championships in 1950 and 1951, and continued solo bike racing until 1959.
He was inducted into the New Zealand Speedway Hall of Fame in 2020.
Prince Charles visiting Palmerston North
Prince Charles visited Palmerston North during the day of 2 April 1981. As part of his visit he opened the newly built Manawatu Sports Stadium. See also "Evening Standard Souvenir of the visit of HRH Prince Charles, April 2, 1981".
Anti-Apartheid Protesters in Palmerston North
Anti-apartheid demonstrators outside the NZI (NZ Insurance) building in Palmerston North.
Anti-Apartheid Protesters in Palmerston North
Anti-apartheid demonstrators outside the NZI (NZ Insurance) building in Palmerston North.
Rotary Club of Palmerston North Centenary: 1924 – 2024
Introduction:
"Rotary was established by Paul Harris in 1905 to serve communities and provide fellowship and enjoyment to members. On 29 May 1924 a group of businessmen met to establish a Rotary Club to serve the Palmerston North community.
Over the 100 years, the Rotary Club of Palmerston North has been very active and this history
records what happened and what was achieved. You will see that the first 75 years was recorded by Ian Malcolm and Arthur Hall. The last 25 years has been compiled by Chris Klein and Stephen Parsons. Both records have been combined to bring the 100-year history together.
The international success of Rotary has come from established Clubs helping other Clubs to form and the Palmerston North Club has been active in supporting six other Clubs to become
established in the region. These Clubs have in turn spawned other Clubs.
It is impossible to list all the projects and events that the Club has supported. They range from
helping individuals in need, to building such major facilities as student accommodation at Massey University, a retirement village for the elderly, an outdoor education lodge, and a classroom in Samoa. The Club has helped a community in Northern India and provided medical supplies to the Pacific Islands. Funds are provided each year toward the eradication of polio.
The Club has a focus on youth through an annual programme involving a youth music festival,
sponsoring upcoming musicians, a circus for disadvantaged children, speech and essay competitions for schools, dictionaries to primary pupils in poorer areas, sponsoring students to
business week, and a science and technology forum. Youth focussed events and community clubs and individuals are occasionally supported for the development of young people.
For 100 years the members of the Rotary Club of Palmerston North have lived up to the ideals of “service above self”. This brief history provides an insight into the people, what they have achieved and the enjoyment and satisfaction they have derived from serving the community.
The current members look forward to setting the course for the next 100 years."
Text by 2025 Club President Dave Gaynor.
Typewritten Copy of J. T. Stewart's Handwritten Manuscript of 1902 describing the Survey and Early European Settlement of the Manawatū (1858-1897)
This copy of John Tiffin Stewart's handwritten manuscript was typed in 1967 by Ian Matheson, who has annotated each paragraph with the page numbers of T. Lindsay Buick's Old Manawatu (1903) containing information derived from Stewart's manuscript.
Drawing of construction of road through Manawatū Gorge
A drawing by J T Stewart who was the District Engineer of the Public Works Department. Drawing shows construction of the road through the Manawatu Gorge. Entitled "Manawatu Gorge. Commencement of Road - looking up Gorge from westward", and is signed J T S May 1871. The drawing is in pencil and water colour. Drawn on paper measuring 19.5 x 17 cm, and held in an unvarnished wooden frame.
Drawing of carved palisade posts at old pa, Wairarapa
A drawing by J T Stewart who was the District Engineer of the Public Works Department. Drawing shows two carved palisade posts in old pa, in bush at Wairarapa. Entitled "Figure in old Pa Wairarapa 1862". The drawing is in pencil and water colour. Drawn on paper measuring 24 x 16.5 cm, held in oval matt board and unvarnished wooden frame.
Drawing of the construction of the Upper Manawatu Gorge bridge
A drawing by J T Stewart who was the District Engineer of the Public Works Department. Sketch shows the construction of the Upper Gorge Bridge (at Woodville end) over the Manawatu River. Entitled "Road Bridge Manawatu Gorge building 1874" and signed by J T Stewart. The drawing is in pencil and water colour. Drawn on paper measuring 26 x 17.5 cm, and held in narrow black frame.
Drawing of the Manawatu Gorge road
A drawing by J T Stewart who was the District Engineer of the Public Works Department. Drawing shows the gorge road, looking westward towards Ashhurst. Entitled "Gorge Road Manawatu 1874". The drawing is in pencil and water colour. Drawn on paper measuring 25 x 17.5 cm, and held in narrow wooden frame.
Manawatu Farm Location Map
Map that shows ownership of farm land, covering the area from approximately Mangaweka to Himatangi Beach in the North Island. The index lists the farms according to the owner's name.
Produced by John Read Agricultural Consultancy Ltd, Palmerston North.
As compiled by Aerial Surveys Limited.
Farm Location Maps of the Manawatu
Maps that show ownership of farm land, covering the area from approximately Mangaweka to Levin in the North Island. The index lists the farms according to the owner's name.
Produced by Centrepoint Theatre
Photographs of the Displaced Persons Camp at Pahīatua
In 1951 and early 1952 Jack and Beverley Holland were young teachers at the Pahīatua Camp. They were present during the period that the Displaced Persons (DPs) arrived from the three 1951 sailings of the International Refugee Organisation (IRO) ship the Goya. Displaced Persons also arrived at the camp in early 1952. Most of these had sailed to Australia on IRO registered ships and then travelled onwards to New Zealand by ship or in some cases, by plane. The people were displaced from their homes and countries by World War Two and the civil wars that followed that. They came from Central, Eastern and Southern Europe. Up to 5000 Displaced persons settled in New Zealand.
The DPs came to New Zealand under a skilled migrant programme, not a humanitarian aid programme. The purpose was to aid New Zealand’s economic growth following World War Two. At that time New Zealand had an assimilation policy. The plan was that the DPs would spend 6 weeks in the camp to learn English and New Zealand law and customs, and then be placed in jobs. There was some allowance for those difficult to place in jobs, to stay on in the camp for up to one year. Women with children were often in this category. Many refuges left for jobs in remote places in New Zealand such as forestry or hydroelectric dam construction with a very rudimentary knowledge of English. It was up to them to continue their English learning if they were able.
The Holland family have kindly allowed for digital copies of the photograph album and letters Jack and Beverley wrote to their parents describing camp life to be deposited on Manawatū Heritage.
A description of life in the Pahīatua Camp for the DPs can be found in the book "Untold Stories – World War Two Displaced Persons who settled in Palmerston North."
Busk Palmy 2018
Palmy Unleashed, Pineapple Studios and One Night Only organised for performers from Palmerston North to play for passersby in this street festival.
"Arrival of Teenage Idol" [Johnny Devlin]
This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 13 February, 1959. "The arrival of the teenage idol (Johnny Devlin) in Palmerston North this morning caused considerable interest. He was driven from the railway station around the Square in "Moriarty" an ancient car owned by nurses at the Palmerston North Hospital."
Linton 'Pot Wallopers' band
A ‘typical scratch band’ of the war period, being scratched together from Linton Army Camp personnel who were able and available to play. 'Pot Wallopers' was the term given to Army staff on pot cleaning duties.
Admission ticket to Grand Wireless Concert
A Grand Wireless Concert, broadcast from Auckland, was held in the Opera House, Palmerston North, 1 December 1923. It was arranged by St Paul's Wesley Guild. Ticket no.410, for the Back Stalls at a cost of 2/-.
Song lyrics
Lyrics for a song possibly created for the W.W.S.A. To march to.
Jazz Festival Progamme, 1967
Programme for 1st annual jazz festival presented by the Manawatū Musicians and Entertainers Club, held on Labour Weekend, 1968. The Manawatū Musicians and Entertainers Club, later became the Manawatū Jazz Club.