The Freyberg High School calendar outlines the school year and includes staff and pupil listings, school clubs, sports and activities, a map of the school, school rules, uniform requirements and examination information.
The Freyberg High School calendar outlines the school year and includes staff and pupil listings, school clubs, sports and activities, a map of the school, school rules, uniform requirements and examination information.
The street was named for Mr Frederick Bryant, an early butcher and landowner in Palmerston North. He owned the land on which the original Bryant Street was formed. The street was extended in 1925, and Palermes Street was incorporated in 1926.
The first image is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923 by HR Farquar, Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor. It shows the original road formed by Mr Fred Bryant c. 1912, D.P. 2626, section 293.
The second image is a derivative of this NZ Cadastral Map - Town Series: Palmerston North Map 4 from 1961 by the Lands and Survey Department, New Zealand. It shows Bryant Street after its extension by Mr Frederick Needham in 1925, and the incorporation of Palermes Street in 1926.
Mr Frederick “Fred” Bryant was born 1860 in Auckland, the son of immigrants Mr and Mrs FW Bryant of Bristol, England. The children were raised in Auckland and Thames.
Mr Fred Bryant arrived in Palmerston North in 1883 and established himself in the land and butchery businesses.
He was in the string of proprietors of one of earliest known butcher stores in the township. Established by Mr James Green in 1872, the butchery was subsequently owned by Mr Sinclair George, Mr Joseph Beale, who sold it to Mr F Bryant in 1885, Mr William Reed, and Messrs Carter & Rawton. It was to become the Manawatū Meat and Cold Storage Co., and later the Manawatū Meat Co., Ltd.
After selling the above butchery to Mr W Reed in 1891, Mr Bryant opened F Bryant Wholesale and Retail Butcher in Te Marae o Hine the Square, next to the Bank of Australasia. From 1896 his store was known as City Butchery. Mr Reed purchased the butchery from Mr Bryant in 1900 and it was renamed W Reed Wholesale and Retail Butcher.
Mr Bryant married Miss Mary Ann Stevenson in Taita, Lower Hutt, in 1885. Miss MA Stevenson was born in 1864 to Mr William and Mrs Sarah Stevenson in Sussex, England. She was 13 years old when the family emigrated to Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, on the ship Wairoa.
Mr and Mrs Bryant had four children; Frederick William b.1886, Arthur Gilbert b.1888, Ernest Horace b.1891, and Keith b.1894.
While Mr Bryant did not participate in local government, he was an active member of the community. He became a life member of the freemasons, joining the United Manawatū Lodge, No. 1721. E.C., in 1889. He was worshipful master in 1894 and 1895.
Mr Bryant was early member of the All Saints' Anglican vestry and a one-time churchwarden. Later, in 1914, he gifted a section on the corner of Featherston and Kingswood Street to the All Saints'. In August of 1926 it was decided that this section would house a Sunday school and social hall.
He was an early and prominent member of the Palmerston North Bowling Club, and president in 1898. Well known on the bowling greens, he skippered the team that won the North Island Championships in 1898.
Mr Bryant had substantial property interests in Palmerston North and Shannon. He owned business blocks in Te Marae o Hine the Square, Rangitikei and Cuba Streets and built a number of business premises (Bryant buildings) in the central business district. He also subdivided land for residential occupation in Takaro and Roslyn.
The family moved to Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England in 1899. They did not return to Aotearoa New Zealand for nine years.
Mrs Bryant felt at home in England, and Tunbridge Wells was near her birth place. Mr Bryant took longer to settle, having been born and raised in the colonies. He joined the committee of a Colonisation Society at Tunbridge Wells, which paid the half fares of emigrants to countries with prearranged work or government land inducements. Canada was a popular destination.
Continuing business interests in the Manawatū required a presence in Aotearoa New Zealand. From 1909, after the couple's first return visit, Mr Bryant was to make fifteen trips back and forth.
In 1899 Mr Bryant went into farming at Shannon on Te Maire Farm, an extensive acreage which he added to over time. He was chairman of the Buckley Drainage Board for a period. In 1929, holding 800-acres under the management of Mr AE Burling, he offered the land for sale to the government.
When the Land Purchase Board did not take up the offer, Mr Bryant sold his livestock and plant and subdivided the property himself; building three farmhouses along Cemetery Road.
After two years of ill health Mrs Mary Ann Bryant died in Tunbridge Wells in December 1929. She was 65 years of age.
After Mrs Bryant’s death, Mr Bryant continued to visit Aotearoa New Zealand. In 1936 he decided to settle, once again, in Palmerston North.
Mr Frederick Bryant died June 1939, aged 78 years, after a long illness. He is interred at Terrace End Cemetery.
By July of 1912 Mr Frederick Bryant was offering Bryant Street allotments for sale, at a price of £2 per foot.
Residents started correspondence to the council in August of 1913, by applying for a lamp in Bryant Street. It was placed at the corner of Featherston and Bryant Streets. By December the borough engineer reported that footways on both sides of the street had been tarred. Footpath maintenance continued over time, with residents occasionally asked to contribute to costs when works were especially requested outside their properties.
The first hiccup came in February of 1914 when ratepayers requested an extension of sewer services to Bryant Street. It was referred to the next round of loan proposals. In September of 1915, street resident, Mr David Ernest Dustin, said that more frequent visits of sanitary carts would be preferred over sewerage via a loan scheme. He asked why the residents of Bryant Street had to pay for sewers, when residents in other parts of town had not.
Yet, by May of 1916, Mr DE Dustin convened a meeting for the purpose of furthering the loan proposal.
In May 1916 loan proposals for civic works were approved and sewer works commenced in Bryant Street in September. Councillor Crabb, asked about reducing costs by making house connections as the sewer was laid, as opposed to piecemeal, later. In the Manawatū Times, 20 September 1916, it was reported that the Public Works Committee had met and made the recommendation:
“… that the residents of Bryant Street be informed that the Council is of opinion that the sewer connections in the public streets should be put in by the Council’s responsible employees and that the price fixed is the average cost of the work and cannot be reduced.”
That was the final word and by November 1916, the sewer, with house connections, was complete. In July 1918 Mr D Dustin advised the council that the water supply in Bryant Street was unsatisfactory. Four-inch water mains followed in 1919, when both pipes and funds were available.
In 1916 Mr Dustin requested that the borough council number houses in Bryant Street. The borough engineer was concerned about this undertaking in a street with so many vacant sections. Purchasers often bought two sections to build one house, or, alternatively, one section to build two houses. Councillor Seifert suggested this posed no problem, a number could be dropped in the case of a single dwelling over two sections and an “a” added in the case of two dwellings on one section. The motion was carried, with several councillors dissenting.
A second issue was that there were no enamel number plates left. As a result, the numbering of houses and vacant sections were stencilled on to gate posts. In October of 1934, it was pointed out that there was, in fact, an anomaly in Bryant Street. Numbering started at 102 instead of 1 (likely due to both a street extension and incorporation of another street).
In January of 1918, an unusual sighting was reported in Palmerston North – a hedgehog. The local newspaper noted that another was seen in Bryant Street some time ago.
In 1925 Mr Frederick Needham laid the Bryant Street extension, alongside the Lyndhurst Street extension and Burns Avenue. Bryant Street now met Palermes Street which had been formed by the Pascal Bros. in 1913.
In February of 1926, the Borough Council proposed renaming streets where a continuation had been made to a street that effectively joined two existing streets into one. The resolution was passed in March. Town clerk, Mr James Robert Hardie, gave public notice throughout March and April that Palermes would become Bryant. From July 1926 the street was known as Bryant Street.
With the extension came increased traffic volume. Bryant Street was metalled in 1928, however by 1932 ratepayers wrote to the council regarding dust nuisance. They asked that the surface be coated in bitumen. After being deferred in the works estimates for some years, the road was tar-sealed between Cuba and Main Streets in April of 1938. The Takaro Progressive Association immediately requested that the rest of the street also be tar-sealed, given that it was one of the oldest settled streets, having been opened in 1912. The street was tar-sealed in sections and completed by April 1940.
The extension also came with new electrical poles, electrical mains, and improved gas service. In July 1930 gas mains with a greater width were extended into Bryant Street to the railway crossing. This increased capacity improved the operation of cookers and heating units. In October 1936, to improve gas pressure, 2&1/2 chains of four-inch mains were laid in Bryant Street.
Mr and Mrs David Ernest Dustin lived in Bryant Street from c.1913 to 1920.
Mr DE Dustin was born in Whanganui, in 1883, to Mr William Samuel and Mrs Celia Prideaux Dustin. His father a baker and caterer, was the founder of Dustin’s Ltd. As a youth Mr D Dustin was a keen rugby player and rower. He also played quoits, which may have led to a later interest in bowling.
In 1906 Mr WS Dustin purchased the business of Mr J Simpson, Baker and Confectioner of Gladstone Road, Gisborne. Mr D Dustin moved to Gisborne to manage the new acquisition. In the two years he was in Gisborne he continued to pursue his rugby and rowing interests.
In July of 1908 Mr W Dustin exchanged the Gisborne business for that of Mr Samuel Charles Clare of Messrs Clare and Co., of Palmerston North. This entailed Mr D Dustin moving to Palmerston North and taking over the Clare’s Dining Rooms (formerly Youngson’s) in Te Marae o Hine the Square, and the bakehouse in Andrew Young Street.
In 1909 Mr Dustin married Miss Louisa Reid Crombie. Miss LR Crombie was born in Auckland, in 1885, to Mr William Anderson and Mrs Margaret Mary Crombie. In Palmerston North the newlyweds first took up residence in Ferguson Street.
Mr and Mrs Dustin had four children, all born in Palmerston North; David Lewis b.1909, William Henry b.1909, Albert Claude b.1915, and Margaret Madeleine b.1919.
During their time in Palmerston North Mr Dustin was keenly interested in civic affairs, as evidenced by his activity as a ratepayer in Bryant Street. As president of the Palmerston North Progressive League, Mr Dustin took a view of advancing the town. He was chairman of the Tram Committee and, in April of 1917, convened a meeting of voters seeking a candidate favourable to trams in the upcoming municipal elections. Mr Arthur Woodley Sutton was nominated for councillor as a result.
Mrs Dustin was president of the Hinemoa Social Club. The couple owned several residential properties around town which they sold or let. Mr Dustin offered their Bryant Street home for sale in 1917, however it did not proceed.
He joined the Masonic fraternity in 1918, at Lodge Manawatu Kilwinning No.47, and was secretary of the Manawatū Master Bakers’ Association and Restaurant Proprietors. No longer playing rugby, Mr Dustin became of member of the Palmerston North Bowling Club.
As a member of the Chamber of Commerce, he took an extended business tour of Australia, America and Great Britain.
In 1920, the Dustin’s had a clearing sale of their Bryant Street house, sold property in Ada Street, retained property in Fitzherbert Avenue, and moved to Wellington. There he ran Dustins’ next to the Royal Theatre on Cuba Street, as well as cake businesses and outdoor catering.
He was a founding member of the Te Aro Betterment Association, later becoming president of the renamed Te Aro Advancement Association. Mr Dustin was also a member of the Wellington Bowling Club, and continued his interest in municipal life.
In 1930 Mr Dustin returned to his hometown, Whanganui, to become the senior director at the head office of Dustin’s Ltd. Besides continued involvement in associations such as the Whanganui and Manawatū Master Bakers’ and Pastrycooks’ Association, Chamber of Commerce, Employers’ Association Whanganui, and Whanganui and District Development League – Mr Dustin gave a lot of energy (including partaking in wheelbarrow derbies) to launch and maintain the Youths’ Afforestation Camp at Kaitoke. His aim was a planting scheme along the local sand dunes.
Mr David Ernest Dustin became ill and died in December of 1937. He was 54 years of age. He is interred at Head’s Road Cemetery, Whanganui. One of his twin sons, Flying Officer David Lewis Dustin, formerly of the RAF, was to follow in 1938, victim of an airplane crash at Land’s End in England.
Mrs Louisa Reid Dustin died in April 1941, at the age of 55 or 56 years. She is interred at Karori Cemetery, Wellington.
Mr and Mrs Charles Horace Usmar purchased allotments 40 and 42 on the corner of Bryant and Chelwood Streets. While Mrs Usmar appears the owner on rate books from the time the street was opened, it is unclear if they were living there before 1919. That is when a brick residence, designed by architect, Mr Reginald Thorrold-Jaggard was built for the Usmar’s.
Mr CH Usmar was born in London, in 1870, to Mr Alfred and Mrs Mary Usmar. The family emigrated to Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand on the ship Douglas when Mr C Usmar was 5 years of age.
As a young adult, Mr Usmar entered the tailoring business and was a member of Operative Tailor’s Union in Wellington in the early 1890s. Mr Usmar met Miss Christina Stoddart and they married in 1894 and took up a residence in Goring Street, Thorndon.
Miss Christina Stoddart was born in Wellington, in 1869, to Mr John Charles and Mrs Eliza Stoddart. Mr and Mrs Usmar did not have children.
Mr Usmar worked for Messrs Kirkcaldie and Stains for some years, before leaving in 1896 to manage the new tailoring department at Messrs Warnock & Adkins. From there the couple spent a short time in Nelson before moving to Dunedin in August 1900, where Mr Usmar worked for TF Feltham & Co. They left Dunedin in January of 1903 for London, England. There Mr Usmar spent just over a year cutting for Messrs Bendick, one of the leading houses in Regent Street and The Strand.
In March of 1904 the Usmar’s travelled to Palmerston North where Bradford Woollen Co., Merchant Tailors, had secured the Mr Usmar’s services. Two months later he purchased the business and advertised high class tailoring for gentlemen on Main Street west. You can see his store Tailor, C.H. Usmar, here on the left next to Child’s Commercial Hotel.
In August 1905 Mr Usmar purchased Mr Nelson’s tailoring business in Broad Street (later Broadway Avenue) and opened a short-lived ladies tailoring department managed by Mr Edwards of Ellis and Co., Ladies Tailoring, Wellington.
Outside of work Mr Usmar was a member of the Manawatū Camera Club, and won several local photography awards. He was an elected member of the A&P Association until his resignation in May 1909. A member of the Palmerston North Club Inc., and in June of 1928, he was elected a member of the Palmerston North Bowling Club. Inside of work he was vice president of the Manawatū Master Tailors’ Union, formed May 1908.
In April of 1910 Mr Usmar changed his business to the London Cash Tailoring Company in order to manufacture on a larger scale and meet demands for lower priced suits.
In November of 1910 he closed his store in Main Street and joined the tailoring business of Mr Thomas Tozer Kerslake on Cuba Street. It became the partnership of Kerslake & Usmar six months later, allowing Mr TT Kerslake to retire. The store ran until 1918, when Mr Usmar left to pursue other interests, eventually becoming an accountant.
Mrs Usmar was a congregant of the Cuba Street Methodist Church. As a croquet enthusiast she was a founding member of the Takaro Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club, and was elected a life member in September of 1933. She served as secretary of the Takaro Croquet Club for some time. In September of 1933, Mrs Usmar retired from her beloved sport due to ill health. She was admitted to hospital early in 1934.
Mrs Christina Usmar died in November of 1934 at the age of 67 years. She is interred at Terrace End Cemetery. Mr Usmar continued to live in their home at 130 Bryant Street.
Mr Usmar remarried in 1943 to Miss Eva Cornelia Davison. Miss EC Davison was born in Palmerston North in 1883 to Mr George and Mrs Charlotte Davison.
The couple lived at 40 Bryant Street (renumbered from 130) until Mr Charles Horace Usmar’s death in November of 1960. He was 90 years of age. Mrs Eva Cornelia Usmar died April 1965, aged 82 years. She is interred at Piako Cemetery, Morrinsville.
Mr and Mrs Albert Cooksley purchased allotment 20 shortly after the street opened and lived at 23 Bryant Street until 1920.
Mr A Cooksley was born 1888, in Lyttleton, to Mr George Elijah and Mrs Susan Blanch Cooksley. The following year the family moved to Longburn. Miss Ethel May Wiles was born in Auckland, in 1892, to Mr William and Mrs Minnie Wiles.
The couple married in 1911 and Mr and Mrs Cooksley had eight children; Mavis Dick b.1913, Ivan Lancelot b.1914, Lawrence Beulon b.1915, Betty “Bette” May b.1917, Nancie b.1919, Albert Gordon b.1923, Beryl Minnie b.1927, and Edwin Leigh b.1930.
Mr Cooksley was the manager of Mr John Harold Watt’s cycling business at 3 Rangitikei Street from 1913. He purchased Watt’s Cycle Depot in 1919, waiting until 1921 to change the name to A Cooksley. “Swift Cycle Depot” was added in 1922. The store became became A Cooksley and Son in March of 1938, when Mr LB Cooksley joined the business. In November of 1944, the pair reopened at 123 Rangitikei Street (opposite Grey Street).
Mr A Cooksley was a member of the Oroua Lodge of Druids, no. 5, and the first secretary of the Royal Arch Chapter, no. 10. He subscribed to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and, on one occasion, renovated the society bicycle and donated the cost to the cause. He was also part of the Takaro Progressive Association.
Mr Cooksley was involved with a number of sporting clubs such as; Palmerston North Rifle Volunteers, Palmerston North Cycling and Athletic Club, Palmerston North Professional Cycling Club, and Central Old Boys Hockey Club. He often officiated at cycle races and donated prizes.
Bowling was his favoured sport, and he was part of the 1922 executive committee that formed the Takaro Bowling, Croquet and Tennis Club. Mr Cooksley then served as president from 1925 to 1930, becoming treasurer on relinquishing his office. He enjoyed several bowling tours to Suva, Fiji, speaking highly of the experience. Despite having moved from Palmerston North by the time of his death, Mr Cooksley left the Takaro club some money in his will.
Mrs Cooksley was also active in the community. A singer with an ATCL diploma from Trinity College, London, she performed at patriotic concerts; and was later part of the World War Two Polish Army League. Mrs Cooksley was a member of the Manawatū Women’s Club and vice-president of the Business Girls’ Club. She was also involved with the Townswomen’s Guild. In these roles Mrs Cooksley often arranged and hosted events.
On retiring the couple moved to Cambridge. Mr Albert Cooksley died October 1963, at the age of 75 years. Mrs Ethel May Cooksley moved to Auckland. She died December 1976, aged 84 years. Both are interred at Hautapu Cemetery, Waipā District.
From June 1916 Messrs Cruickshank and Vott, concrete moulders – building blocks , posts and piles, were situated on Bryant Street. In November the partnership dissolved and the business was continued in Mr Charles Murray Cruickshank’s name, CM Cruickshank, Builder, Bryant Street. Business advertisements continued in local newspapers until February of 1917.
In 1919, having been invalided in World War One, Mr Howard Morley Phillips purchased the piano tuning practice of Mr TP Henderson who was retiring to Nelson. Mr HM Phillips had managed the West Coast branch of Webley Sons and Gofton, expert piano tuners and repairers of Christchurch, prior to the war, and had sixteen years of experience in the industry.
From 1920 to 1927 Mr H Phillips ran his business from his family residence at 15 Bryant Street, and then 120 Bryant Street (later renumbered to 28) from 1927 to 1937. He tuned and repaired pianos and pianoforte’s often selling repaired instruments; gave advice on the best purchase to meet needs, and, from 1925, made monthly service visits to Foxton. After Mr Phillips’ retirement, Mr and Mrs Phillips continued to live in Bryant Street.
In August of 1921 F. A. Orr Builder and Contractor became established at 27 Bryant Street, and then operated from 19 Bryant Street from January of 1922. Unfortunately, Mr Francis Alexander Orr became bankrupt in 1925 despite a clearing sale of house and plant. He had been unable to secure further contracts.
From October of 1921 Hosking Engineering Co., operated from 33 Bryant Street. In 1922 Mr Arthur Hosking purpose built an engineering and foundry works in Lombard Street. The move to the new premises was made by the end of that year.
Mr Herbert Avery, the Palmerston North agent for Kissel Cars, operated his business from 32 Bryant Street in 1924 and 1925. In 1926 he leased Mr Herbert John Woodfield’s premises in Cuba Street and was proprietor of Woodfield’s Motor Garage until 1928.
In 1938 Mr R Alexander Hay moved his joinery and shop fittings factory to 181 Bryant Street (later renumbered to 81). He provided manufacturing services there until mid-1945.
The addresses on Bryant Street were renumbered in 1939. See p.42 and p.43 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.
Lyndhurst Street was a Mr Frederick Bryant subdivision. His wife, Mrs Mary Ann Bryant, was born near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, and the Bryant family moved there in 1899. This road is named after the street, Lyndhurst Gardens, in the Southborough district of Tunbridge Wells. To learn more about the Bryant's, look at Bryant Street.
The first image is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923 by HR Farquar, Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor. It shows the original road formed in 1912, by Mr Fred Bryant, D.P. 2626, section 293.
The second image is a derivative of this NZ Cadastral Map - Town Series: Palmerston North Map 4 from 1961 by the Lands and Survey Department, New Zealand. It shows Lyndhurst Street after its extension in 1925, by Mr Frederick Needham, D.P. 7316 section 312.
Lyndhurst Gardens was formed in the 1880s by Mr William Willett and his son. It was part of a subdivison that started with Eton Avenue. The street wasn't originally named Lyndhurst Gardens, it was called Dalkeith Gardens until 1911. "Gardens" is a common street suffix in the United Kingdom.
The name is likely inspired by Lyndhurst, a village in the New Forest National Park, Hampshire, England. The recorded history of Lyndhurst (Saxon for ‘lime-wood’) began in 980 when a royal manor by that name was granted to the Abbey of Amesbury, Wiltshire. King William I, William the Conqueror, made New Forest a royal hunting ground by 1075. Lyndhurst was to become the administrative capital of the area.
Hatton, S. (2023, January 31). Lyndhurst Gardens, NW3. The Underground Map Project. https://www.theundergroundmap.com/article.html?id=23254
Lyndhurst Parish Council. (Last updated 2024, July 8). Village history: a brief history of Lyndhurst. Government UK.
https://www.lyndhurst-pc.gov.uk/history/village-history/
In November of 1912 correspondence from Mr F Bryant to the council, requested takeover of Lyndhurst Street. The borough engineer reported that the street had been completed in compliance with council conditions. Councillor Seifert did not agree. In October 1914 he advised that the street metal was not properly broken, and Lyndhurst Street should not be taken over until the metal was at an appropriate size. The engineer responded that rather than have inspection at the time of metalling, it was far cheaper to break the stones later. The street was taken over by the borough council.
Sewerage works were carried out in 1916 and were extended by eighteen chains (chain = 66 feet/20.12 metres) in 1921, under a water and sewerage loan. In July 1926 services to the Lyndhurst Street extension were delayed until the summer months, due to a large influx of subsoil water making winter work impractical.
Water tables were cleared in November 1919 and several times in the years to follow. The street did have trouble with accumulated surface water in the 1930s due to the uneven settling of the concrete kerb and channel. This was remedied by lifting the channel. The replacement of one-inch mains with four-inch mains in 1929 also helped manage stormwater in the Lyndhurst Street extension.
In May 1921 Lyndhurst Street was proposed as part of the town's new bus transit route. This was confirmed and municipal bus services started in September. To learn more about the introduction of public buses, look at this history of Cuba Street, where the first municipal bus barn was built.
Within the first month of services, suggestions were made in regard to changes to timetabling, to better work around town activities; the best locations for parking of buses; and, that a bugle be sounded to indicate when a bus was approaching each pick-up point (bus stop).
Small changes in timetabling often resulted in immediate pushback. For example, in October 1922 the 5:40pm Lyndhurst Street bus was cancelled. After complaints it was reinstated the following week. Then in July 1923, at a meeting of the Central School District, it was clear that ten minutes made a difference. A motion was carried to ask the council to revert back to the 8:45am departure time in Lyndhurst Street, as the new 8:55am time was making children late for school.
By June 1925 of a total of 45,909 passengers for the month, 4,153 were recorded on the Lyndhurst Street route. Six months later the Transit Committee recommended extending the Lyndhurst Street route as far as the corner of Armstrong and Featherston Streets, with an increase in fares. The fares increase was unpopular and in February 1926, traffic manager, Mr Peter Gardener Patton, successfully recommended lowering children’s fares on all routes. He felt that existing concession tickets made adult travel reasonable.
Around 1928 the Lyndhurst Street route became known as the Takaro bus route.
In 1925 Mr Frederick Needham laid the Lyndhurst Street extension, alongside the Bryant Street extension and Burns Avenue.
While footpaths in Lyndhurst Street received regular attention from 1915, there were two notable usages that impacted these. Residents were concerned about Lyndhurst Street being used as a route for sheep and cattle on their way to sales at the showgrounds. As late as September 1940 complaints were made on the danger to children and damage to footpaths and grass verges. The second was high use due to being on the municipal bus route, although this impacted the roadway more.
The Takaro Progressive Association was active in the late 1920s and 1930s in pursuing the tar-sealing of Lyndhurst Street and Lyndhurst Street extension, particularly in the sections travelled by municipal buses. In November 1932 for example, the association particularly pointed out the dust nuisance for residents from buses. By 1936 they also highlighted the use of the street by heavy transport lorries, avoiding central city traffic. From 1935 to 1940 the street was tar-sealed in sections as borough finances permitted.
In March of 1929 electrical transformers were built at the corner of Lyndhurst and Featherson Streets and the corner of Cuba and Lyndhurst Streets. Four years later the latter, a 50 k.v.a transformer, was replaced with a 100 k.v.a. transformer. Also, in 1933, low tension distribution lines were increased in size in Lyndhurst Street to meet the growing load.
Gas mains were enlarged in Lyndhurst Street in 1936 to increase capacity to meet demand. Thirteen chains of 4-inch pipes were laid to improve gas pressure to cookers and heaters. Replacement of pipes continued in 1937.
Mr James Blake purchased section 293, allotment 53, 6 Lyndhurst Street c. 1913. He appears to have lived there with his parents Mrs Margaret and Mr Samuel Blake, and younger sister Margaret (jnr). Mr J Blake was born in Woodville in 1887. During his time in Palmerston North, he worked as a drapery assistant for Collinson and Cunninghame Ltd.
In May 1916 he signed up with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, to serve with 29th Ambulance, New Zealand Medical Corps. Mr Blake listed his mother and sister as dependents on his recruitment papers (his parents later divorced). He trained at the Awapuni training camp in 1917. To learn more about the camp, read Poppy Place for the Awapuni Medical Corps Memorial by Evan Greensides.
His sister Margaret died in June of that year at Palmerston North Hospital; she was 23 years old.
Private Blake embarked on the HMHS Marama in September of 1917. The ship was outfitted with over 500 beds for wounded soldiers. Pvt. Blake made three trips on the hospital ship, before his discharge in 1919.
Initially he returned to his former position at Collinson and Cunninghame Ltd. However, he sold the Lyndhurst property to Mrs Bridget Mary Rose, wife of Mr William Edwin Rose of Nikau Farm, Konini, (near Pahiatua) in 1919; and by 1921 was residing in Kiritaki, Dannevirke.
There he took up farming. He married Miss Olive May Williams (b.1896, Timaru) in 1937 and the couple continued farming until retirement.
Mrs Olive May Blake died in June 1961, aged 65 Years. Mr James Blake died August 1972 at the age of 84 years. Husband and wife are interred at Mangatera Cemetery, Dannevirke.
Mr and Mrs Charles Francis Cronin lived on Lyndhurst Street, section 293, allotment 52 from c. 1913 to c.1918.
Mr CF Cronin was born in 1891 to Mrs Mary and Mr Patrick Cronin. He married Miss Lucy Winifred Bradbury, born 1892 to Mrs Eleanor Sophia and Mr Roland Keats Bradbury, in 1913. The couple had three children; Gerald Charles b.1916, Joan Winifred b.1917, and Lucy Eileen b.1921.
While living in Lyndhurst Street Mr C Cronin was a clerk in the goods office of the Palmerston North Railway Station. He was an active ratepayer enquiring about the asphalting of footpaths in 1916 and 1917. By 1919 the Cronin Family had moved to Oxford Street.
Mr Cronin was heavily involved in the performing arts as a singer and actor. He was a member of the Manawatū Savage Club, City Choir, Manawatu Scottish Society, and Operatic and Repertory Societies. He was part of the executive for the latter. The couple were also Rotarians, and Mrs Cronin was involved with the Palmerston North Townswomen’s Guild.
In October 1926 after twelve years with Palmerston North Railways, Mr Cronin was transferred to Taihape. This was short-lived, by December of 1926 Mr and Mrs Cronin set up a private company, Manawatū Loan and Discount Co., Ltd, situated in the C. Smith Buildings in Palmerston North. The business later moved to the AMP Buildings.
They lived in Hereford Street for a time before building a home at 26 Manapouri Crescent (later renumbered 36) in 1932. The Cronin’s participation in community life continued, and Mr Cronin also owned and raced several horses in the 1930s and 40s. They lived in Manapouri Crescent until c. 1946, later transferring the property to daughter, Mrs Lucy New.
The Cronin’s stayed in Palmerston North for the remainder of their lives. Mrs Lucy Winifred Cronin died in May 1972, aged 80. Mr Charles Francis Cronin died in December of 1989 at the age of 98. The couple are interred at Kelvin Grove Cemetery with their son, Gerald, who predeceased them.
Mr Leonard Original Pascoe of Elizabeth Street purchased section 297, allotment 75, Lyndhurst Street c. 1913. A house was built at 21 Lyndhurst Street in 1915 for Mr and Mrs LO Pascoe.
Born in Christchurch 1889 to Mrs Anne “Annie” Elizabeth and Mr Augustus Pascoe, Mr Pascoe was employed by the Palmerston North Railway Station in his early years in the town. He married his first wife, Miss Violet Myrtle Ehrhorn in 1914. She was born in 1894, Sanson, to Mrs Anna and Mr Henry Ehrhorn.
The couple had three children, two born while in Lyndhurst Street; Dorothy Mavis b.1915, Violet Averill b.1917, and Lorna Myrtle b.1920.
Mr L Pascoe rose to the position of engine driver for the railway, before resigning in May of 1918. By June he was employed by the Glaxo Factory in Bunnythorpe as a fireman. Mr Pascoe was balloted in mid-1918 and unsuccessfully requested an extension. He did not serve, as World War One ended in November that year.
The couple sold their Lyndhurst Street house to Mr Martin Sydney in 1919.
Mrs Violet Myrtle Pascoe died in November 1920, seven days after childbirth. Aged 26 years, she was interred at Terrace End Cemetery. Mr Pascoe remarried two years later to Miss Lily May Neilson, born 1891 in Palmerston North, to Mrs Barbara and Mr James Neilson. The Pascoes had two children; Jean Katherine b.1923, and Barry Leonard b.1932.
Mr Pascoe was elected to the Bunnythorpe School Committee in the early 1920s and served as secretary from 1921 to 1931. He was secretary of the school jubilee committee in 1933, and president of the school committee in the early 1940s. Mr Pascoe was also involved with the building of the Bunnythorpe Hall and remained part of the Hall Committee serving as secretary in 1942 and 1943.
He was a member of the Oroua Lodge of Druids, Palmerston North, becoming Vice Arch Druid from 1922 and was elected Arch Druid in 1923, after which he remained a member of the Royal Arch Chapter no.10. He had a keen interest in sport and was secretary of the Bunnythorpe Football Club from 1924.
Mr Pascoe remained employed by Glaxo Laboratories as an engineer for the remainder of his working career, retiring in the early 1940s due to ill-health.
Admitted to hospital for two months in 1943, Mr Leonard Original Pascoe died in June of 1944 after a lengthy illness. He was 55 years old. Mrs Lily May Pascoe continued to live in Bunnythorpe and died in September 1974, aged 82 years. The couple are interred at Bunnythorpe Cemetery.
Mr Frederick Crossley M.R.C.V.S., Veterinary Surgeon, began operating from the Woodfield Stables on Cuba Street in March 1918. From July 1918 until September 1926 he also operated from his residential address, 26 Lyndhurst Street. By November 1927 the Lyndhurst Street property was sold, and Mr and Mrs Fred Crossley moved to Wellington.
In 1924 Mr Herbert "Herb" Rasmus Jensen sold his farm in Karere (Awapuni) and lived in Stoney Creek (Whakarongo) for a couple of years. In 1927 Mr Herb R Jensen moved to 157 Lyndhurst Street (later renumbered 82). There he advertised his patented Mole Drain Plough. He was a contractor of heavy tractor work for excavations and fillings, specialising in mole draining.
Mr HR Jensen also operated as a farmers’ transport carrier and contractor from c. 1934 to c. 1940 carting livestock and farm produce, such as wool. By 1941 he had become the local agent for the Newport Oil Filter, working from his Cuba Street yard and residential address, 82 Lyndhurst Street. By the mid-1940s Mr H Jensen appears to have carried out mainly municipal contracting from his Cuba Street business.
The Takaro Wood and Coal Depot operated from 101 Lyndhurst Street on the corner of Featherston Street from 1924. It was operated by Mr Frank Grover until June of 1925 when it came under the management of Mr Hugh Vallance. At some stage in the early-1930s the address became 32 Featherston Street and this was renumbered 70 Featherston Street in 1936.
In November of 1927 Mr G Edwards opened a new butcher’s shop on the corner of Lyndhurst and Chelwood Street. By 1930 it was owned by Mr E Edwards, advertised as Takaro Central Butchery in local newspapers, and the following year as Takaro Butchery.
At the start of 1933 the interest in the business was sold to Mr Harold Toms, who was replaced by manager Mr Arthur William Scadden eight months later. The butchery was now named Takaro Butchery Ltd., of Chelwood Street.
By 1936 having successfully started its commercial activities with a grocery in Broadway Avenue, the Manawatū Co-operative Society Ltd., took over the Takaro Butchery, retaining Mr AW Scadden as manager. It was advertised as being situated on Lyndhurst Street. The society went on to purchase further butcheries in Terrace and West End.
In May of 1941 Mr A Scadden transferred to the West End Butchery to manage the store in his son’s absence. Mr George Arthur Scadden, manager, had left to serve in World War Two. The Manawatū Co-operative Society placed Takaro Butchery under the management of Mr Frank Trembath. The society was later known as the Consumers’ Co-operative (Manawatū) Ltd and had stores throughout Palmerston North.
To learn more about the Co-operative Society, read A small idea 50 years ago – today, a multi-million dollar business on page 2 of this jubilee edition of Co-Op Consumer Times.
Mr Alfred “Alf” Peter Jensen (late of Kairanga, Bunnythorpe) moved to 103 Lyndhurst Street (later renumbered 8) in 1928. He was a hay presser and agricultural contractor, offering hay baling, ploughing and harvesting work. He ran his business from his home in Lyndhurst Street until 1936 when he moved elsewhere in the city.
From 1937 a furniture factory operated from 133/134 Lyndhurst Street (appears to have later been renumbered 50). The cabinetmaker, Mr Pedersen, specialised in oak furnishings. This may, or may not, have been Mr Richard Andrew Pederson who ran a furniture factory in Chelwood Street from 1926 to 1930.
From 1944 the Emmanuel Congregational Church of Broadway Avenue, established a branch Sunday School at 89 Lyndhurst Street.
Prior to World War Two Mr Leslie William Ayers, a watchmaker and jeweller, operated his business from Cole’s Buildings on Te Marae o Hine the Square, and later the Library Buildings (until 1937). In 1944, after serving out World War Two within Aotearoa New Zealand and having returned to civilian life, he worked from his private residence 87 Lyndhurst Street watchmaking, repairing and engraving. He was also a member of the New Zealand Home Servicemen’s Association and president of the Manawatū Branch.
The addresses on Lyndhurst Street were renumbered in 1939. See p.161 to p.163 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.
The first Longburn School opened in 1877 in Reserve Road. In 1910 the building was moved to its present site in Carey Street, Longburn. A new school was built and opened in 1922. Although the 70th Anniversary was in 1947, the Jubilee was held across three days in 1949: Saturday 29th January, Sunday 30th January and Monday 31st January.
Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 21st January 2025. All interviewees were teachers between 1967 and 1990s. Most went from school to teachers college except VickiMarie who went to university first. Dianne went to a trial training college at North Shore which doesn’t exist anymore – there were no exams and a very free environment. She loathed it. Degree qualification was required by 2000. New teachers started work at a school and were confronted by a class with no behaviour management strategies or practical experience. Behaviour management with diverse students is one of the hardest things to control. ‘Normal’ schools had teachers with skills to pass onto student teachers. Open plan learning introduced later which created problems for students who couldn’t concentrate in a noisy environment. It was not workable for new entrants. Literacy programmes have been a big change to benefit a lot of students who cannot read. Discipline was sometimes controlled by teachers with physical punishment. Social media nowadays is a huge challenge for families and students. Social skills of students declined as social media expanded, Limited conversation skills. Not so much talking at home. Students now are two years behind before they even start school. Difficulty catering for new immigrants, many who went to ESOL (English as a second language) classes. Huge changes over the last 50 years.
Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 14th January 2025. Part 2 of 2. Was secretary, president or treasurer of school committees. Came to Palmerston North and joined Volunteer Central which matches volunteers with organisations. Works part time at the rugby museum. Looks after jigsaw collection at the public library. Does a lot of walking. A lot of volunteering is for one off events. Younger people tend to be casual volunteers rather than belong to community organisations. Volunteering is doing what you want, when you want and with who you want. When he joined the public service in 1962 the percentage of Maori was very small but now there are many more Maori and other ethnicities. Volunteers work at the hospital emergency department, driving the health shuttle, visiting older people who are living in isolation etc Younger people now have a different outlook on life. He got a lot of satisfaction from mentoring people and seeing them succeed later in life. “If you are not a good leader you won’t succeed” “Have fun” He enjoys volunteering. Tries to do that in the mornings and keep the afternoons to himself but does nothing one day a week
Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 7th January 2025. Part 1 of 2. One of twin boys. Mother was very ill so cared for by Plunket in Whanganui and returned to his mother six months later. Went to West End School New Plymouth and was told that his interests lay outside the classroom. Went to New Plymouth Boys High School. Did history, maths and accounting. Played rugby, Enjoyed school. Worked in the magistrates court in New Plymouth for four years then transferred to supreme court in Auckland as a clerk. Became registrar of Feilding magistrates court. Two sons born in Feilding. Promoted to registrar of the court at Oamaru and was warden of the mining court. Spent four years there and had two more sons. Promoted to Hawera where he was responsible for the Hawera and Patea courts. Ran a hotel for four months. Promoted to Invercargill court as registrar. Responsible for the high court. Spent seven years in Invercargill then promoted as registrar in Wellington district court for ten years. Was made redundant in 1996 after 35 years in the job. Got a job as a bursar in a school in the Hutt Valley for six months. Went to Australia initially for six months but got a job with the New Zealand passport and citizenship office in Sydney for six years then worked in legal aid. Returned to New Zealand when he was sixty and worked in Work and Income collecting debt for three years.
Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 31st December 2024. Part 2 of 2. About 480 registered social organisations in the Manawatu and Horowhenua. They need to work more collaboratively. Councils need to make decisions about what they will continue to fund. Food security is important in Palmerston North but in Horowhenua youth engagement is important. Manawatu has hobby organisations. 135 ethnicities in the region. Volunteering is a good way for migrants or refugees to connect with the community. Volunteer Central works with Red Cross to support refugee families. Volunteer hospital workers such as ‘friends of the emergency department’ who assist people who are anxious. Kathryn has been a volunteer community worker for many years. She went into nursing in the field of mental health. Involved with public health. Volunteer Central provides volunteers only to organisations not individuals. Volunteers are not paid. They do it because they want to. About 1.4 billion dollars per year is put into the New Zealand economy through volunteering. Churches are active with pastoral care. It takes a community to grow a community. A lot of volunteers are recruited from migrants
Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 24th December 2024. Part 1 of 2. Manager of Whatunga Tūao, Volunteer Central previously called Manawatu Volunteer Resource Centre. It is a charity which covers Tararua, Horowhenua, Manawatu and Palmerston North. Improves community connections, safety and vibrancy through volunteering. First set up in Auckland about 2002 by Norelle Ward. Business communities pay their employees to do community work, usually one day a year but sometimes more or less. Has helped families with food parcels and other necessities during Covid lockdown. Volunteering New Zealand was set up to be a support service for volunteer centres. People register as a volunteer. A website lists organisations requiring volunteers for particular tasks and Volunteer Central matches volunteers with available jobs. Successful matches currently about 84%. There is a problem getting people for the governance committee particularly treasurers. Organisations are having problems with less funding available and fewer volunteers. Volunteers in Palmerston North tend to be younger than the national average.
Picture of the building of the Commercial Union Building, situated on the corner of Rangitikei and King Streets, which was completed in March 1973. The T&G clock tower can be seen behind the construction site. The side of the Bank of New South Wales building was exposed during the construction process.
Looking down Cuba Street to the Commercial Union Building on the corner of King and Rangitikei Streets. The eight-storey building was built in 1973 for $1,000,000 on the site of the old Hotel Imperial by Commercial Union, an insurance business in New Zealand since 1890. It was officially opened 20 November 1973 by Joe Walding, Minister for Overseas Trade and MP for Palmerston North. Originally, the ground level had six shops and a service desk for Commercial Union, floors 1-5 were occupied by the motor registration department of the Post Office, for the whole country, floors 6-7 were occupied by Commercial Union and the top floor housed a staff cafeteria. The building is currently used as student flats (2010).
The inscription states, “This stone was erected to commemorate the widening of this road. Work was commenced in April 1921, and completed April 1926”. The official ceremony was performed by the Prime Minister, Right Honourable J.C. Coates, P.C. The Gorge Board of Control was made up of members of Palmerston North, Pahiatua, Woodville and Feilding Borough Councils and Kairanga, Dannevirke, Waipawa, Pahiatua, Woodville, Oroua, and Rangitikei County Councils. The stone is located at the western end of the Gorge.
The image is a derivative of this City of Palmerston North District Planning Map from 1971 by Palmerston North City Corporation.
In the early 1880s, the mayor and other interested parties pursued the formation of an agricultural and pastoral society. In February 1881, their application to the government for approximately five-acres near the old Cuba Street Cemetery was granted for the purpose of a showground. The next step, to form and incorporate the society, was quickly underway.
In 1886 the Borough Council determined that the old cemetery plot in Cuba Street would become part of the showground. The now established Manawatū and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, hosted the first A&P Show that same year. By 1893 the popular and anticipated annual event had come to be known as ‘show week’ and local businesses enjoyed extra patronage over that time. Here is a panorama of the A&P Show in 1915.
The showgrounds also hosted: sports clubs and events, military troops, celebrations, relief and transit camps, parades and more. For a brief history, read Palmerston North Showgrounds History, by Leanne Croon Hickman.
The military history of Palmerston North intersects significantly with the Awapuni Racecourse and Palmerston North Showgrounds. Listen to this presentation (PowerPoint slides link available) by Leanne Croon Hickman to find out more.
In 1960 the Palmerston North Industries Fair at the Showgrounds attracted 93,000 visitors, you can read more in this Back Issues article by Ralph Body.
From 1881 WT Wood Blacksmith, Wheelwright, and Veterinary Shoeing Smith, ran his business on the corner of Rangitikei and Cuba Streets (between the Royal and Clarendon Hotels). When the building was destroyed by fire in September of 1894, it was rebuilt next door in Cuba Street, behind the Clarendon Hotel. William Thomas Wood was mayor of Palmerston North from 1895-1899 and 1901-1903. After over 30 years of business and community service, the Wood’s left Palmerston North in 1913. Mr E Walders, Veterinary Shoer & General Blacksmith took over Mr Wood’s business.
In 1885, the English and American Coach Factory, Robert Parr proprietor, adjoined WT Woods. This was taken over by Browning and Tory Coachbuilders. Like its neighbour it was destroyed by fire. It reopened in 1896 as WA Browning Coachbuilder. By 1914, adjusting to changing times and technology, the business became WA Browning Carriage and Motor Works, with Mr CH Mundy as the motor engineer. In 1919 the business was sold to Messrs GP Adler and Co.
In 1889 the Miller's opened the Post Office Store on the corner of Cuba and Taonui Streets, a business and residence, it was to become a family endeavour. Mrs George Miller was the first proprietor – general storekeeper and produce dealer, house and land agent, and trader of grains. In 1901 Mr George Miller sold the business lease to Mr Joshua Cull, a Bunnythorpe settler. He continued the grocery business with Mr George H Miller Jr., who had worked in the store since childhood. In 1903, Hawera businessman, Mr J Butler took over the lease. Mr G Miller Sr. died in 1906.
In 1907 the Post Office Store became Messrs Miller and Vinall, grocers and provision merchants, until Mr Holbrook purchased Mr Vinall’s interest. With Mr George H Miller the senior partner, they changed the name to Miller & Holbrook Family Grocers & Provision Merchants. The partnership was dissolved in 1911 and the business was carried on by Mr GH Miller as GH Miller Grocer and Provision Merchant, before returning to the original moniker, the Post Office Store. Mr Miller continued in the business, also called Miller’s, until 1937. It finally passed out of the Miller family when sold to Mr EJ Westwood.
Methodist services began in Palmerston North in 1871, with the first church built in Broad Street (later Broadway Avenue) in 1872. Due to congregational growth, a second church was established in Cuba Street (corner of Domain Street) in 1890, with services commencing in 1891.
Once complete, it was discovered that the church building was actually encroaching on adjoining Cuba Street sections. With removal unpractical, congregants had the unexpected expense of purchasing more property. The church was identified by several names, Wesleyan Church, Methodist Church, and Cuba Street Church. It underwent renovations in 1903, and in 1910, bursting at the seams, a kindergarten was built at the rear of the church, on the adjoining Domain Street section, to accommodate a roll of 120 infants.
With their building fund containing enough money in 1922, planning began for a new church on the site of the present structure. The architect, Mr Oscar Albert Jorgensen, designed a building that would seat 430 people. In 1924 the old church was completely remodelled, and the new brick church built. The foundation stone of, the Trinity Methodist Church was laid in March and the opening was celebrated in July.
From 1895 the Oddfellows’ Hall operated at 188 Cuba Street, between David and Andrew Young Streets. The Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows was a mutual aid organisation. Their lodge rooms were used by various Manawatū groups such as: Oroua Lodge, UAOD; Palmerston Dramatic Society; Loyal Manawatū Lodge IOOF, MU; and Lodge of Druids. Alterations and additions were made in 1905 and dances began occurring regularly in the hall. Further alterations were made five years later. This was the interior in the 1920s.
It was in September of 1884 that working men of Palmerston North first met with the intention of forming a Working Men’s Club. The clubs had spread from the industrial areas of England since the mid-1800s. They were aimed at the self-improvement of working men, through education and recreation. One of the attractions was that this was an alternative to the heavy drinking pub environment.
It was almost four years later that the Colonial Secretary officially granted a charter to Palmerston Working Men’s Club. Mr HT Akers formerly of Club Hotel Church Street east, was made manager. The club officially opened in August, with subscribers of the Public Library donating seven hundred books to the endeavour. By the end of August, the club had a roll of 160 members.
This first premises on Rangitikei Street was sold in February of 1889. In March it reopened as the Christchurch Boarding House, Miss McCarthy proprietess. The Working Men’s Club moved to a two-storey building on Cuba Street. In 1900 additions and alterations were made to the building. Mr Robert Edwards, former mayor of Palmerston North (1892-1893), was the architect.
By December 1902, club members agreed on purchasing a new site in Cuba Street, almost directly opposite their current clubrooms for a new purpose-built structure. In October of 1904 the new Working Men’s Club was completed, based on plans by architect, Mr Ernest Larcomb.
In March of 1905 Mr TP Holland, of Bunnythorpe, purchased the lease of the old Working Men’s Club in Cuba Street from Mr E Stevenson. Just five months later, in August of 1905, the building was almost destroyed by fire.
By 1912 the club had a roll close to 1,000 members and was seeking sites for addition accommodation. The solution came in purchasing the land immediately adjoining the club buildings, sections belonging to Mrs Jones. That then allowed frontages on Cuba and Taonui Streets, the address being 233-239 Cuba Street. Mr OA Jorgensen, architect, designed a brick building three times as large as the present accommodations. However, the war period intervened, and the new building was delayed.
In 1927 building commenced based on the design of Mr Ernst Vilhelm West. His father, Mr Ludolph Georg West, had been a member of the club. In August of 1928, the new club, now renamed the Cosmopolitan Club, was officially opened by Mr James Alfred Nash MP. Built by Mr DP Tortonson, the two-storied brick building included a frontage of four shops on Cuba Street.
The club moved from the building in 1989 and it was sold the following year.
Cuba street was home to several long-term boarding houses.
The Canterbury Boarding house was operating at 80 Cuba Street from 1891. It was situated opposite George Street between Lombard and Taonui Streets. Mrs Rickleben was the proprietress until c. 1901 when Canterbury House passed into the hands of Mrs Bresneham. It was advertised to let in 1902, and later that year reopened as Mrs John Rea’s Avondale House. Mr and Mrs J Rea fully renovated the boarding house in 1903 and again in 1905. It then appears to have been sold to Mr or Mrs Hollis. By 1911 advertisements for Mrs Barnett’s Avondale House appeared in local newspapers. It continued running until at least 1926 and was also called Avondale Private Hotel and Avondale Boardinghouse.
When Mrs Elizabeth Rea and Mr John Rea sold Avondale House, they opened the Temperance Hotel in Cuba Street. It was newly renovated in 1907. By 1917 it had become Barnett’s Temperance Hotel.
In 1905 Mrs Williamsen was running the Premier Dining Rooms, with accommodation, on the corner of Cuba and Andrew Young Streets. It soon became known as the Premier Boarding House. In 1906 Mrs Williamsen sold the contents of the house and let the property to Mrs Wiltshire. In 1906 Mrs Wiltshire renamed the business London House. Late that year she sold the contents and Mrs Alexander appears to have briefly picked up the lease. By September 1907 the lease of London House had passed on to Mr H William. He operated London House until 1909 when Mrs Williamsen once again took over. She resumed trade as Victoria Private Hotel and continued until poor health prompted its sale in 1914.
In June of 1914 the Misses McCullough had purchased the property and renamed it Victoria Boarding House. They ran the boarding house for the next eight years, selling privately in 1922. By 1924 it was known as Victoria House. In December of 1930 Mrs L Parker was the proprietress. She advertised it for let in 1932.
By 1933 Victoria House was under the management of Mrs H Morris. Later that year it changed hands, and new proprietor Mr C Morgan, completed a repainting and refurbishment. A name change also occurred, Selwyn House. In 1934 Mrs H Morgan extended accommodation options to include furnished and unfurnished flats in Selwyn House and Grosvenor Private Hotel. By 1935 the name had reverted to Selwyn House. It appears to have remained in the ownership of the Morgan’s until May of 1942, when local newspapers reflect the property was for let or lease.
In May of 1908 Excelsior House opened on the corner of Cuba and Waldegrave Streets, adjoining the A&P grounds. Mr Charles Hogg was the proprietor. By 1910 Excelsior House had changed hands and Mrs McLean was the proprietress. It appears to have come under new management in 1924 and again in 1940. In 1940 Excelsior House, at 107 Cuba Street, was available for gentlemen boarders, and in 1941 there were vacancies for pensioners.
In February 1900, Mr Arthur Edward Clausen, a well-known Danish settler, commenced business as a grocer and ironmonger in a new premises on Cuba Street. Named the People’s Cash Store, AE Clausen Grocery, Crockery and Ironmongery, it was situated near Lombard Street. The business grew rapidly, and Mr Clausen made extensive alterations in 1901 – partly to accommodate the store’s large assortment of china, glassware and crockery. Extensive alterations were again made in 1903. In late 1904 the name was shortened to The Cash Store when it was taken over by Mr H Jackson. By March of 1905 it was also known as Mr H Jackson Cash Grocer, The Cash Store, and the Cuba Street Grocer. In April of 1907, Mr James Miller purchased the store and it became the Beehive Store. Approximately eighteen months later, Mr WJ Horn became proprietor of this general grocery business.
The Cuba Street Dairy, next door, ran from c. 1902 to c. 1911, with multiple owners and titles.
Meanwhile, Mr Clausen continued at a different site in Cuba Street as AE Clausen, Direct Importer, concentrating on the crockery and glassware side of the business. Eventually the store became known as AE Clausen Crockery and Glassware Merchant. In June 1905 he sold the lease and opened a crockery arcade in Te Marae o Hine the Square on the cusp of Coleman Place (later Coleman Mall). In November of 1908, the Manawatū Times noted that the growth of his business was prompting an extension through rear of the premises back on to Cuba Street. It is unclear whether this eventuated. Mr Arthur Edward Clausen ran the crockery arcade in the Te Marae o Hine the Square until his death in 1923.
In 1901, Messrs Brading & Ryan opened the Cuba Street Butchery and on sold to Messrs Havill Bros. later that year. By 1904 the business, on the corner of Cuba and Lombard Streets was owned by Mr George Cotton. He sold it to Mr P O’Connor in 1906. Within a year a partnership was announced – Mr P O’Connor and Mr H Couper, trading as O’Connor & Couper and providing specialty orders and delivery. In January of 1908 the partnership dissolved, and the business was carried on by Mr Henry Couper. He renamed the business, the Cuba Street Cash Butchery, and worked there for over a decade. Mr Couper sold the business in 1919 to Messers Gray and Snelling, and moved to Auckland with his wife in 1920.
In 1901 Buick & Young, Printers, commenced business from the Elizabeth Buildings, Cuba Street. In February of 1905 they started a stationers’ shop in connection with their business, also on Cuba Street. By August of 1905 Messrs Buick and Young further extended, in opening a law and commercial stationers’ shop in the Bett and Monrad buildings. In 1912 Mr Thomas Lindsay Buick left the business. Mr Henry Llewellyn Young disposed of the stationery business, concentrating on printing and bookbinding at the original plant, which had seen considerable additions. New premises were built in Broadway Avenue in 1920.
In June 1903, Mr Hugh McCarty, late of WT Wood’s, opened a general blacksmith opposite Clausen’s Grocery Store. This was taken over by his brother Mr John “Jack” William McCarty in partnership with Mr Yardley in 1906. By 1907, the partnership had dissolved. The business became known as J McCarty Horse Shoer and General Blacksmith. In 1913 Mr JW McCarty announced he would now take on horse dental work. He renamed the business JW McCarty Blacksmith and Farrier.
In 1917 Mr J McCarty was riding a motorcycle when he was hit by a train. It was a fatal accident. The following year, Mr H McCarty reopened the business of his late brother, taking on horse shoeing and general smith work.
In August of 1903 Miss Watson opened the Kia Ora Tea Rooms, also selling confectioner’s small goods. It was situated in the Beattie & Lang Building, opposite Buick & Young’s. The rooms were enlarged in 1907 to allow hot dinners to be served in a dining room downstairs and fish luncheons to be served in a grill room upstairs. Miss Watson’s tea rooms were advertised in local newspapers until 1911. Her main competition over the period appears to have been Mr Walter Cotton, who opened the Royal Café in 1905. As a pastry cook and confectioner, he also offered catering and delivery services. The Royal Café closed in 1909.
From April 1904, next door to Avondale House on Cuba Street, was a laundry run by James Quan Lee (also known as Jim Quong Lee). In November of 1904, Sam Lee & Co took over the laundry business. Fifteen years later Sam Lee’s Laundry moved to new premises, 104 Cuba Street, next to Hopwood’s and opposite the Working Men’s Club. In February of 1924, a massive fire destroyed four shops, and gutted Mr Lee’s Laundry (also his residence). The Universal Supply grocery store, next to Mr Lee’s, was extensively damaged.
In 1904, Mr Herbert John Woodfield, purchased and built on a site in Cuba Street to extend his George Street livery business. This new venue wasn’t without problems. In January 1908, he was fined for driving 26 horses loosely along Cuba Street. Just two months later he was further charged with allowing nine horses to stray without guidance. These were the types of incidences you would expect to come to the attention of the Inspector of Public Nuisances. To find out more, read this Back Issues article by Margaret Tennant. By 1922 the livery had evolved into Woodfield’s Motor Garage. The garage moved to Beresford Street in 1928.
Mr John Harold Watt intermittently owned bicycle, motorcycle and motorcar businesses between Cuba and Rangitikei Streets for over twenty years.
He opened JH Watt, Cycle Depot in Cuba Street in 1905. Mr JH Watt sold the business in February of 1907, then reopened at 24-26 Cuba Street in September that year. In April 1911 the business moved to Rangitikei Street besides the Clarendon Hotel.
In August of 1912 Mr J Watt opened Watt’s Motor Depot in Cuba Street next to Workingmen’s Club. An importer of motorcycles, bicycles and skates, he appears to have operated from both the Cuba and Rangitikei Street locations.
In May of 1913 Mr Watt advertised that the businesses were being split to avoid confusion. Cycle Depot for bicycles was in Rangitikei Street under the management of Mr A Cooksley, sold to him in 1919; the Motor Cycle Depot was in Cuba Street under the management of Mr Will Passmore.
Mr Watt sold the Cuba Street motorcycle business to Mr Alex Anderson in December 1914. Then, in November 1915, Mr Watt built a garage in Cuba Street and imported motorcars. It was made into a new company in May 1916, Watt Motor Co. Ltd, opening at 42 Rangitikei Street. Mr Watt relinquished managing directorship in 1921.
Here is an image from 1927 showing Watt Motor Co. Ltd promoting an Oldsmobile. The company went into voluntary liquidation in 1928.
From August of 1905 to April of 1927 the Manawatu Auctioneering Company operated from 1 Cuba Street (corner of Rangitikei Street). It changed hands in those early years from Mr Henry S Munro to Messrs AE Mansford and AG Wallace. However, by 1907, when the company sold to Messrs JR Graham and JS Munro, the business remained with them. The company was recognised under a number of names: M.A.C., Manawatu Auction Mart, City Auction Mart, The Exchange Rooms, Exchange Salerooms, Auction Rooms and People’s Popular Auction Mart. In April of 1927 the Manawatu Auctioneering Company moved to George Street, next to the De Luxe Theatre, and occupied premises previously owned by Central Auctioneering Co.
In 1880, Mr Thomas Tozer Kerslake opened the Temple of Fashion. It was situated where Broad Street (later Broadway Avenue) met Coleman Place. Mr TT Kerslake acquired the freehold of the property through to Cuba Street.
In 1893 he sold his store and went to work for the Manawatū Farmers’ Co-operative Association (later the United Farmers’ Co-operative Association). There he worked in their tailoring department, as cutter and manager, for some years. Around 1898 he became manager of the tailoring department at Victoria House. He resigned in 1904 to make a nine-month tour of England and the United States.
On his return Mr Kerslake set up in temporary premises, as a gentlemen’s tailor. Meanwhile a building was commissioned by Mrs Harriet Kerslake on the couple’s Cuba Street property for her husband’s business. Built in 1905 by Mr A France, it later became known as the Kerslake Building.
In January of 1906 Mr T Kerslake, Gentlemen’s Tailor, moved to the Kerslake Building, opposite the Working Men’s Club. In November of 1910, Mr Charles Horace Usmar, a tailor formerly operating from Main Street, joined the business. It became Kerslake & Usmar six months later, allowing Mr Kerslake to retire. The store ran until 1918, when Mr Kerslake advertised it for let.
While the Palmerston North Technical School was in Cuba Street for a short duration, 1907 to 1909, it is noteworthy as the first time classes operated from a single location.
A technical school had been requested as early as 1898, when Mr WH Collingwood, secretary to the combined Palmerston North School committees, asked for the support of surrounding school committees in raising money towards a technical school based in Palmerston North.
Technical classes were officially conducted in Palmerston North from 1902, under the control of the Wanganui Education Board. Teachers and students met in various places as availability allowed. Technical classes experienced a period of stasis in 1905 with a roll of only 33 students. The High School Board took oversight from 1906 and, with the help of their Technical Committee, were able to revitalise the movement.
Palmerston North Technical School, in a central location, was officially established in 1907 under the direction of Mr Frank Foote. In April, he started the school in four small upstairs rooms in the Bett & Monrad Buildings. The buildings were situated between the Colonial Buildings (owned by Messrs Rutherford & Bett) and the Working Men’s Club. Designed by architect, Mr E Larcomb they had opened two years prior. Mr Francis “Frank” Dudley Opie was appointed director of the Technical School in December 1907. The school experienced increasing enrolments and solid attendance.
With the addition of new courses such as: elocution, wool-classing, singing, motor mechanics, and commercial correspondence, it was clear the now crowded school needed a new site from which to provide classes. In September 1908 plans for a building of its own were displayed to public at a school art exhibition. Fund raising and searching for a suitable site ensued.
The corner of Princess and King Streets was where building commenced in 1909. To ease space constraints on Cuba Street classes, the newly completed plumbing room and engineering shop opened in June 1909. The Palmerston North Technical School was finished and officially opened in September 1909 with a roll of over 600 students. The remaining students moved in October.
The Employers’ Association offices operated for a period in Cuba Street. Secretary, Mr W McKenzie, ran the office from c. 1909. He was still the secretary when they moved to the Commerce Building in Broadway Avenue in 1925.
A bucket brigade started as Palmerston North’s first fire-fighters in 1883. In 1887, a volunteer fire brigade was formed and housed in a wooden building in Coleman Place. In 1888, a Fire Brigade Station, opened in Terrace End at 224 Main Street east. The Terrace End brigade ran until 1936.
Meanwhile the Coleman Place station remained in use until 1910 when the Central Fire Station opened in Cuba Street, next to the Woodfield Stables. The foundation stone had been laid in March of that year by Mr Edward John Armstrong, chairman of the Fire Board. By August the Fire Brigade was in possession of the building designed by Mr LG West and erected by Mr CW Blackbourn. Comprised of two storeys, the ground floor housed the enquiry office, engine room, horse stalls (until horses were superseded by motor engines in 1913), a kitchen and two bedrooms for single men. Upstairs was the superintendent and foreman’s quarters, as well as the married men’s quarters and a social hall. In 1914 tenders were invited for additions and alterations to the station.
By 1925, running out of space, a tender was accepted for a new fire station to be built in Cuba Street on a vacant section more-or-less opposite the end of Campbell Street. Messrs Trevor Bros. were the builders and Messrs LG West & Sons, the architects. The new Central Fire Station opened 19th July 1926. Additions to the living quarters were made in 1938. It remained in Cuba Street until 1977 when a new station opened in Cook Street.
In 1940, the 28th Māori Battalion trained at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. To learn more about their time in Palmerston North, read this Memory Lane article by Tina White.
In 1964, Te Rau O Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall was opened at 138 Cuba Street. The soldiers were regarded highly by Palmerstonians and remembered for their stay in the city. The hall was a national memorial and emblem of gratitude to the men of the 28th Māori Battalion, six hundred and thirty-nine of whom lost their lives in World War Two. The design included carvings on the exterior honouring different iwi, tukutuku panels inside, and kowhaiwhai on the ceiling beams.
Held in the ownership of the Raukawa District Māori Council, the hall was a memorial, a guesthouse for visiting families of veterans, and a community centre. To learn more about the hall and its significance, listen to this brief history from Major George Kereama.
For almost fifteen years it was used for functions and community initiatives. Then from 1978, facing financial pressures, the hall was leased to an individual tenant, Fishbowl Youth Trust. This ended in 1982 when the Fishbowl Trust was dissolved. From 1983 the hall was leased to a succession of restaurants and nightclubs, who refurbished to purpose.
From June 2001 Te Wānanga O Aotearoa became a long-term tenant and used Te Rau O Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall for delivering Te Wānaga Rauangi, their fine arts programme. The hall is currently an earthquake risk and cannot be tenanted.
Te Rau O Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall became a Poppy Place in 2018 and remains an important gathering place for ANZAC Day ceremonies.
In 1981, Cuba Street was the scene of barbed wire, police lines and protesters; when anti-Apartheid activists opposed the Springbok Tour. Look at this Back Issues article by Stephen Berg to find out more.
To learn more about the history of Cuba Street read this lecture by historian, Mr Brian Mather.
The origin is unknown. It is assumed to be named after Cuba Street in Wellington, which was named after the ship, "Cuba."
The image is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923 by HR Farquar, Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor.
The Cuba was a barque of 270-273 tons captained by John Newcombe. The New Zealand Company sent her ahead of immigrant ships from England in July 1839, carrying a survey team of 23 people. The team was led by surveyor-general, Captain William Mein Smith. He had three assistant surveyors, Mr Robert Park, Mr Wellington Carrington and Mr Robert Stokes. Their job was to meet principal of the company, Colonel Edward Gibbon Wakefield who had set out on the Tory two months earlier, make purchases of land and survey it for the colonists to follow.
Other passengers included Mr (Sir) Richard Davies Hanson, Commissioner for the Purchase of Land, and his Assistant Commissioner and native interpreter, Mr William Bath.
During the voyage, the barque called at Porto Praya, Cape Verde Islands, and a party went ashore. A storm made it necessary for Cuba to ride it out at sea for four days. When they regained port to pick up those ashore, yellow fever came aboard. One of the survey team, Mr William Matthews, and Mr W Bath the Assistant Commissioner, died at sea and were committed to the deep.
In September 1839 the larger 500 to 550-ton vessels, Oriental and Aurora, left England carrying 145 and 148 immigrants respectively.
On arrival in New Zealand, Cuba missed meeting Wakefield on the Tory, at Kaipara. The Cuba made its way to the whaling station on Kapiti Island where whaler, Captain George “Jordy” Young, boarded. He then navigated Cuba to Port Nicholson, where a trader named Smith had been deputised by Wakefield to instruct Captain Smith where to proceed surveying. Cuba cast anchor off Pito-one (Petone) foreshore in early January 1840.
Although the Oriental had left England first, Aurora arrived in Port Nicholson a week earlier – docking on 22 January 1840. Both landed immigrants on Pito-one (Petone) beach, where the surveying team had built a small jetty for this purpose.
When Palmerston (later named Palmerston North) was proclaimed a town in 1866, Cuba Street was on the original plan. It first ended at Short Street (now known as Cook Street) and was extended out to Burns Avenue at a much later date. To learn more about the original planning and design of Cuba Street, look at this Back Issues article by Lesley Courtney.
In 1871, Palmerston’s first public cemetery was established on the site of the present Palmerston North Showgrounds. By 1875, a decision was made to move the cemetery to Napier Road, due to the Cuba Street site being too wet. The bodies were exhumed and reinterred at Terrace End Cemetery.
At the November 1878 Palmerston Borough Council meeting, councillor Coleman proposed that tenders be called for forming and metalling Cuba Street. Though it was one of the first streets of the town, it now needed significant attention. Most of the work was expected to be funded in debentures. At the December meeting, the council accepted the tender of Messrs Collins and McCarthy, £148 15s 6d; plus, footpaths and kerbing at £2 7s 3d per chain (chain = 66 feet/20.12 metres) .
In September of 1880 the lowering of the culvert at the junction of George and Cuba Streets, deepened the water table to drain towards the bush. After further lowering of the water table the following month, gravel was spread. In 1881 water was removed from the corner of Cuba Street and Rangitikei Street, leaving a hole to fill. That was addressed when the ordered dray and harness arrived in town. There was work undertaken on the culverts over the next five years.
In October of 1895 Mr Andrew Jack, overseer of waterworks, reported that the sewer in Cuba, and nearby streets, was in a bad way. Sewerage was escaping out the pipe joints as fast as he was running water through the four-inch main. The joints were not cemented, and surrounding shingle was black with discharge. While the report was acknowledged, this wasn’t acted on at the time.
By 1901 the sewerage pipes in Cuba Street were becoming blocked with silt. When they were opened for inspection, interested residents observed there was no cement securing the pipe joints at all.
In 1901, Mr Richard Liron Mestayer, newly appointed engineer for the borough sewerage scheme, was asked to inspect the main sewer and report back to council. By 1906 the plan was ready for laying of sewers in Cuba Street, and a call made for construction tenders. By October that year the pipes were laid, and house connections encouraged. Two years later it was reported that all houses were now connected to the sewerage system in Cuba Street.
Stormwater management was also a challenge in those early years. Plans were needed to intercept and drain surface water. From 1901 work was carried out on water channels and water tables, however it wasn’t until the 1920s that significant progress was made. In 1922 construction of a stormwater conduit accompanied by the laying of nine to twelve-inch drains commenced. Being a long street, the project took time. Concrete kerbing, channelling, pipe laying and sump building continued through until 1930.
The forming of footpaths and ongoing maintenance occurred over the same period. Work was often prompted by residents who also contributed towards costs. Reconditioning was carried out in the portions of Cuba Street with the greatest need. Heavy traffic areas received regular attention.
In the early 1900s the roadway regularly received coats of metal. From 1910 top-dressing with tar and sand commenced, although at times the borough had challenges in sourcing materials. Like the footpaths, Cuba Street work was carried out on one segment of the street at a time. From the 1920s the roadway became more robust with the introduction of macadam foundations and bitumen and chips as top-dressing. After that, ongoing treatment included top-dressing and asphalt patching.
Livestock certainly affected the upkeep of the road. In December of 1906 complaints were made of loose horses being driven, uncontrolled, up the street. Cuba Street was on the suggested livestock route to the Stevens & Gorton sale yards on Rangitikei Street. As late as 1917, a milk supplier complained about mobs of horses galloping up the street and disrupting his early morning deliveries.
Beside road damage and potential dangers, the horses also left droppings along Cuba Street. In 1911 the borough council imported a manual street cleaning machine, purported to do the work of three people. It was so successful in its intended purpose, to clean up horse manure, that a second machine was purchased.
In 1914 complaints were made about the horse dropping receptacles on the corner of Cuba and Rangitikei Streets. They were collecting, water, unpleasant smells, and horse flies. While the borough engineer remedied the water issue, the flies were a result of the nearby sale yards and stables. He supplied the driver of the collecting cart with a canister of chloride of lime for disinfecting purposes.
In 1905, when the council proposed to lease out a borough reserve between Coleman Place (later Coleman Mall) and Cuba Street, the alternate suggestion of a public library, museum and art gallery started to do the rounds. The reserve was comprised of shops and the Fire Brigade Station fronting Coleman Place, and a borough yard fronting Cuba Street. At the time, the Manawatū Philosophical Society ran the Palmerston Museum from a room in the Public Library, opposite the Post Office in Main Street. It was becoming increasing overcrowded with inadequate housing for exhibits. The library was based in the old municipal offices which were considered increasingly unsuitable and unsanitary.
The proposal of a public library, museum and reading room, in either Coleman Place or Cuba Street was reported on by the Library Committee to the borough council in 1908. Initially it seemed that the proposed structure would go ahead. It would be a two-storey building with the library and a woman’s reading room on the ground floor, carrying through to a museum. The upper storey would be a dedicated reading room. Building would commence in Cuba Street and extend to Coleman Place if the opportunity arose. The proposition was carried in council.
Of the funds needed forty percent was already available from an earlier loan to make additions to the current library. A ratepayer’s poll would be taken to raise a special loan for the remaining £2000. A great deal of discussion, debate and alternate proposals ensued.
Much of the discussion centred on the suitability of the Coleman Place site versus the Cuba Street site. Many felt that Coleman Place was the better option, although almost double the building cost. Those in favour argued was that it was central, visible, and more convenient to day travellers by rail. Others were in favour of frontages on both streets from the outset. Alternatively, some councillors and public thought Coleman Place was a business site more suitable for revenue generating stores. Suggestions for a completely different site were also raised.
Meanwhile the borough council wrote to Mr Carnegie asking for a monetary gift of £5,000 towards the building of a Carnegie Public Library in Palmerston North. This had been achieved in four other towns in Aotearoa New Zealand. After six months and no answer, the idea was dropped. This would have been welcome news to members such as councillor Stubbs who had stated that Mr Carnegie’s libraries were not ornamental enough to front a street like Coleman Place.
When the poll was finally released in August 1910, the proposal was to erect a library and museum in Coleman Place and Cuba Street, requiring a special loan of £5,000. In a ratepayers meeting in September, the Coleman Place and Cuba Street site was reaffirmed from an amendment by councillor Durwood. There was never any real opposition to a museum on Cuba Street, the strongest opposition was to a library in Coleman Place. Councillor Edwards proposed an amendment, that the idea of a new library be dropped, it was not the time. The amendment was lost on ratepayer voice. The special loan passed.
Although the loan passed, dissent continued in the council chambers on the appropriate site. In November of 1910 the Manawatū Philosophical Society requested use of the recently vacated Palmerston North Volunteer Fire Brigade Station for the museum. The building could be shifted back from Coleman Place to Cuba Street at an estimated £100 and altered fit for purpose. Two shops could then be built on the Coleman Place frontage. The idea was supported by council and the building moved the following year. The upper storey was allocated to the museum and the lower to the Men’s Social Club. The library remained in the old municipal offices building until 1929.
Late in 1911 the Manawatū Philosophical Society moved the bulk of its treasures to the new museum in the old Fire Brigade Station, Cuba Street. Mr A Hamilton, curator from the Dominion Museum, Wellington, came and provided help, advice, and supervised arrangement of the collections. Palmerston Museum settled into place with meetings held regularly in the museum rooms. In time it became known as the museum building. A downside was that the building was constructed of wood, risking fire damage. Another difficulty was funding. The museum was run solely on the efforts and monies of the Manawatū Philosophical Society with occasional support from local associations such as the Rotary Club.
By 1921 it was obvious that the museum was under resourced and lacking optimum public attendance. Work was required to refresh and relabel the collections. By 1923, the site, which neighboured the Soldier’s Club, was considered a potentially valuable commercial space. In November of that year, the mayor, Mr Frederick Joseph Nathan, suggested removal of the building and commented that the specimens for preservation surely deserved better housing. By 1924 when the council offered the site for a lease of 21 years, the writing was on the wall. Although new proposals were made for a loan towards a purpose-built library and museum, past experience demonstrated this would be a slow process.
In 1926 a delegation from the Philosophical Society proposed that exhibits and debt on the museum be handed to the municipality. It was either this or the collections would have to be stored or dispersed until a fire-proof building became available. The council agree to clear the debt and store collection items. Many of the curios and exhibits were returned to citizens who loaned them. Remaining articles were packed in cases and placed in the city council store. It was a solution that proved timely, in December of 1927 the museum was damaged by fire.
Palmerston North was a city without a museum for the next 45 years, then, in 1971, a museum was opened in a council owned house in Amesbury Street. This led to the establishment of the Manawatū Museum under the directorship of Mrs Mina McKenzie. To learn more, look at Margaret Tennent’s article, Mina McKenzie and the Manawatū Museum.
In 1908 the Manawatū Beautifying Society asked the council to consider planting trees in Cuba Street. The following year the Reserves Committee also suggested planting Cuba Street in trees. As a result, the council and local schools took part in planting efforts each Arbor Day for several years. The last reported Arbor Day planting on Cuba Street was four ash trees in 1914.
With the introduction of motor vehicles, minor collisions occurred occasionally where car meets tree. In October 1929 a decision was made to remove all trees on Cuba Street where the roadway was tarred from kerb to kerb. They were now considered dangerous. Initially, any action was deferred for the opinion of the borough solicitor regarding liability for collisions.
Councillor Fitzherbert also put forward a compelling case opposing destruction of the trees. Given the width of the street he thought the action unwarranted and suggested motorists had a responsibility to drive carefully. He cited strong public sentiment to retain the trees, and suggested light-coloured guards or kerbs be placed around them instead. Another suggestion was the lighting of each tree.
On the vote, the council was equally divided, and the mayor cast the final vote to eliminate the trees. On an early morning in November, the first two trees were cut down to a strong public reaction. Immediate protests led the mayor to rescind the order, subject to a special council meeting. Meanwhile, a protest meeting was attended by over two-hundred residents, regarding planned removal of trees in Broadway, Fitzherbert and Cuba Streets.
During the period, December 1929 to June 1930, there were three claims of damages after motorists had collided with a tree on Cuba Street. In each case the event occurred in the evening on wet roads. The council went to court with the first case and were found liable. The judge noted the tree was unlit and unguarded.
The mayor did note that the last claimant was citing an incident over six months prior.
In April of 1930 the Manawatū Beautifying Society indicated a willingness to work with the council to consider ways and means to minimise any danger from trees. That same month, the borough electrical engineer submitted a report recommending additional lighting in Cuba Street, and other streets with trees. He stated it was impractical to light every tree, and white picket fence surrounds should be enough. In May the council decided to remove only those trees that constituted a ‘menace’, and in June, following inspection, six trees were on the chopping block.
When two of the six trees were cut down, the Beautifying Society offered to fence the remaining ‘menace’ trees with white picket fences at their expense. Two further trees were cut down the following day. The remaining two and an extra tree followed, despite the Beautifying Society bringing a sample fence to the borough council chambers for inspection.
The following month, the trunks of remaining trees in Cuba street were painted a luminous white. This decision by the borough council resulted in a noticeable improvement in visibility.
While not as contentious as the trees, cycle tracks in the street were somewhat fluid. In 1912 cycle tracks were built in Cuba Street. And in 1915 councillor Rolfe suggested something needed to be done to define their existence between Rangitikei and Taonui Streets. However, just a year later, councillor Seifert moved that the track in Cuba Street be discontinued at Taonui Street and a sign posted to indicate this. Further efforts to add cycle tracks were defeated.
While councillor Seifert’s motion does not appear to have been successful, the cycle track from Taonui to Campbell Street was eliminated in 1927, when the road was tarred from kerb to kerb. It was also in 1927 that the proprietor of the new Carlton Hotel successfully had the cycle track abolished from the front of his business. New cycle stands did appear in Cuba Street from time to time.
Apart from a cab stand built opposite the showgrounds in 1909, parking stands for private motor cars did not appear until the 1920s. They were required to deal with overflow from Coleman Place and George Street. The showgrounds also extended parking on both sides of the road to accommodate visitors during events.
At a meeting of Palmerston North ratepayers in 1910, the mayor opened a discussion about public transport; cars, trams or motor buses? It soon became clear that trams or motor buses were preferable to a fleet of cars, but which of the two would be better? Should the town invest in both? A lively debate ensued over the next decade, including the well-attended public debate, Trams v. Motor Buses, at the Opera House in May 1915.
By 1919 the council had laid down preliminary works for an overhead electrical tram system, however a number of councillors recommended this be abandoned. The war had advanced motor bus technology, and buses were now more flexible and cost effective than tramways. Slowly buses gained traction in the council chambers. By April 1920 a proposal for motor buses was under consideration, with a report on petrol vs petrol-electric vs electric. Costs were investigated.
When Mr Matthew H Oram, a strong proponent of motor buses, was elected to council, he took that as a public mandate that ratepayers were also in favour. In June 1920 councillor Oram moved that ratepayers be asked to sanction a £9000 loan to purchase and equip four motor buses. It was carried, and the resulting public poll in September supported the purchase. The council subsequently received nineteen quotations to build and supply the buses.
In August 1921, the building of a municipal bus barn was completed in Cuba Street. It was situated on the Education Reservation between Short Street (later Cook Street) and Palermes Street (later Bryant Street). Despite the theft of eight cases of benzine during the journey from Napier, four highly anticipated municipal buses arrived in Te Marae o Hine the Square, on 6 September 1921. Almost immediately there were calls to make extensions to the bus barn and purchase more buses.
A new bus barn was built at the Scandia Street (later Albert Street) borough depot in 1927.
The Cuba Street building became known as the old bus barn. From 1932 it was used by the Takaro Scouts, as a youth employment centre, and to receive donated goods to relieve distress in the town. In 1935 the Education Board, who owned the land, requested its demolition and removal.
In December 1935, the Takaro Boy Scout Committee inquired as to whether they might use the timber and iron from the demolition to build a scout hall. The committee was advised that the materials were unavailable, as they had been earmarked for the building of the council stables in Manawatū Street. The old bus barn was demolished, and the timber and iron removed to the borough depot in 1936.
It was in 1908, that the Pascal brothers first looked at extending Cuba Street. To build and access Palermes Street, Messrs Pascal Bros first needed to extend Cuba Street beyond Short Street (later Cook Street) and through the Education Reserve. The reserve was leased to the Manawatū and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral (A&P) Association by the Education Commissioner.
Messrs Pascal Bros agreed to transfer property to the A&P Association, which would allow the association to extend their grounds alongside Pascal Street and provide access from the rear. In exchange, the brothers would have the right to form Cuba Street through the Education Reserve.
In 1908, this was originally permitted by the Education Commissioner, but did not proceed at the time.
Once fresh negotiations commenced in 1912, the Education Reserve had passed into the hands of the Wellington Land Board. When the Land Board refused permission, a petition was made to parliament by A&P Association members. The government, led by Prime Minister Massey, issued permission and the transfer proceeded.
In October 1912 the Borough Council gave consent for the extension of Cuba Street and construction of a new street, connecting to the Cuba Street extension. The work commenced in 1913 by Mr Edward John Armstrong and Palermes Street was ready to be taken over in 1914. That year there was also discussion around extending Cuba Street all the way to Kairanga Road (later Botanical Road), however this did not eventuate.
In 1925 F Needham, Ltd. gained permission to construct streets through the Pascal Block. From the outset Mr Frederick Needham made it clear that these would not be private streets. They would be following by-laws to the laying out of public streets. Cuba Street was further extended, and Burns Avenue constructed at its end. Lyndhurst Street (called Lyndhurst Street extension for some years after) was continued from Chelwood Street to meet the new Cuba Street extension.
The addresses on Cuba Street were renumbered in 1938. See p.79 to p.83 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.
Richmond E. Harrison was a nurseryman and well known author of books on trees. He was born in Palmerston North in 1902, and his secondary school education was obtained at Palmerston North High School. He opened Harrison's Nurseries (later known as R. E. Harrison & Co. Ltd.) in Palmerston North in 1920, which went on to employ 80 people. Alongside this enterprise, the Harrison family owned a store in Coleman Place that sold plants, seeds and wreaths. As a prolific importer of bulbs and perennials, R.E. Harrison changed the face of gardening in New Zealand. His plant catalogues were revolutionary in the days of black and white photography. Recognising the importance of colour when selling new varieties of plants, he employed a painter (Annie Anderson) to create pictures which were then reproduced in his catalogues. He was married and had four sons and one daughter - Cathren Ishbell. In the 1970s, R.E. Harrison's son Vern set up a deciduous tree nursery in Pinfold Road, Aokautere. Another son specialised in evergreen trees and bulbs and perennials. Harrison died 16 August 1991. See Manawatu Evening Standard 13 February 2007, p 9.
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."
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."