The building was decorated for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, when they visited Palmerston North 6-7 January 1954. The Royal Civic dinner was held in the Rosco tearooms on the 2nd floor. C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

Poster advertising Christmas, created by Allan Smith while working in the Display Department of Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager. Milne and Choyce operated in The Square, Palmerston North 1959-1966. The poster depicts the 3 wise men and 'The Golden Glory of Christmas. Giving... inspired by Milne and Choyce'. In black and gold on board, for display in the store.

Shirley Cleland (now Welch) was one of the many women who helped with the floral arrangements for the Royal Civic Dinner, held in the C M Ross tearooms, for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, when they visited Palmerston North 7-8 January 1954. Shirley and others spent all of 6 January arranging the flowers. She also helped to pick the required roses from the Trial Rose Gardens at the Esplanade. At the time she was on the Horticultural staff of Massey Agricultural College.

Receipt used by C M Ross Co. Ltd, with letterhead. C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

Poster advertising a Furnishing Sale, created by Allan Smith while working in the Display Department of Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager. Milne and Choyce operated in The Square, Palmerston North 1959-1966. Black, white and red on board, for display in the store

Poster advertising Mother's Day 8th May, created by Allan Smith while working in the Display Department of Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager. Milne and Choyce operated in The Square, Palmerston North 1959-1966. Coloured, on board, for display in the store.

Poster advertising Mother's Day 13th May, created by Allan Smith while working in the Display Department of Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager. Milne and Choyce operated in The Square, Palmerston North 1959-1966. Black, white and gold on board, for display in the store.

Poster advertising a Summer Sale, created by Allan Smith while working in the Display Department of Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager. Milne and Choyce operated in The Square, Palmerston North 1959-1966. Coloured on board, for display in the store.

Poster advertising a 3 day fasion clearance sale, created by Allan Smith while working in the Display Department of Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager. Milne and Choyce operated in The Square, Palmerston North 1959-1966. Coloured, on board for display in the store.

Staff of the women's fashion showroom posing with a trophy. From left: Molly Cotton; Miss Floyd; Mrs Boyle; Molly King; ?; Trish ?; Mrs Ciochetto; Peg McNabb; Gaye Chamberlain (later Ware). Gaye Ware was employed by C M Ross and Milne and Choyce between 1957-1963. Milne and Choyce was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North. The business was bought from C M Ross Co. Ltd in 1959 and was sold to the D I C in 1966.

Gaye Ware worked in the Women's fashion showroom 1957-1963, first for C M Ross Co. Ltd, then for Milne and Choyce. She would sometimes model for the fashion parades that were held in the Milne and Choyce Coffee Bar. Milne and Choyce was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North. The business was bought from C M Ross Co. Ltd in 1959 and was sold to the D I C in 1966.

A staff party was put on in the tearooms by the Management, to celebrate Miss Sylvia Haycock's 50th anniversary of working for C M Ross Co. Ltd. From left: Mrs Tindall (cook); Jessie Stevenson; Mrs Wilman (tea lady); Ethel Harris; Alva Anderson; Jean Griffin; Kath Kyle; C/Flo Boyle; B Johnson; ? Dewker; Gladys Whishnowski; Lola Leighton (later Butcher). C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

The 'Alterations' workroom was sited on the third floor of the C M Ross building. Staff in the photograph include: Mrs Wootton (Supervisor); O Jenkins; Jean McFalane; Jackie Nelmes; M Gimblett; A Norton; J Tuppery; Shirley (now) Carson. C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

Male staff members dressed in women's clothing for a party held in the Rosco tearooms. Includes: Mr Edyvean (far right) and Mr P Mills. C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

Darrell Coley (later Lee) at 4 years of age on the catwalk in the Roscos tearooms. C M Ross had seasonal fashion parades for adult and childrens' wear. Darrell modelled at these shows from about 3-8 years of age, having got the job through her grandmother, Mrs Jean Thompson, who worked for C M Ross. Darrell was not paid but could select an outfit to keep. C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

Darrell Coley (later Lee) at 4 years of age, with an unidentified boy, on the cat walk in the Roscos tearooms. C M Ross had seasonal fashion parades for adult and childrens' wear. Darrell modelled at these shows from about 3-8 years of age, having got the job through her grandmother, Mrs Jean Thompson, who worked for C M Ross. Darrell was not paid but could select an outfit to keep. C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

Allan Smith designed this window display while employed by Milne Choyce. It was entered in the Crown Lynne window dressing competition and was judged second, across New Zealand. The judges stated, 'Technically a beautiful window and one which we are sure had great selling power. The judges felt that the left-hand part of the display was a little fussy. But the small centre table setting was in delightful taste.' Allan Smith was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager.

Allan Smith designed this window display while employed by Milne Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager.

Allan Smith designed this window display while employed by Milne Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager.

Poster for Milne and Choyce's new coffee bar, created by Allan Smith while working in the Display Department of Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager. Milne and Choyce operated in The Square, Palmerston North 1959-1966. Coffee Lounges, as was coffee as a drink of choice, were a new concept that began to replace the tearooms of department stores from the 1960s. Coloured, on board, for display in the store.

'Teen Departments' were a new venture for department stores. Allan Smith designed this poster while employed by Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager.

Allan Smith designed this window display while employed by Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager.

Allan Smith designed this window display while employed by Milne Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager.

Allan Smith designed this poster while employed by Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager.

A Letter of reference regarding the employement history of Marion Fitch, a sales girl at C M Ross Co. Ltd. C M Ross Co. Ltd. was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

Allan Smith designed this poster while employed by Milne and Choyce. He was first employed by the C M Ross department store in 1959, which was then bought out by Milne and Choyce. He rose to become Display Manager.

The Rosco tearooms, with their rosewood pannelled walls and columns, was one of the most elegant eating places in Palmerston North. It was also hired out for functions. Tearoom staff in uniform, from left: Grace Dempsey; Prudence Phillips; Pam Blane; Meryle Anderson; Sylvia Matson; Valerie Dempsey (later Ackerman). C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

The song was written for Sylvia Haycock, and performed on the occasion in the Rosco tearooms, to celebrate 50 years of working for C M Ross Co. Ltd. C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.

Photograph includes (in no particular order): Mrs Wootton, Supervisor of the 'Alterations' workroom, Jean McFarlane, Jackie Nelmes, Shirley (now) Carson. C M Ross Co. Ltd was one of the foremost department stores of Palmerston North and operated in The Square from 1883 until it was sold to Milne and Choyce in 1959.