Name: Lombard
Suburb, Palmerston North Central
The origin of the name, Lombard, is unknown.
The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.
History
As one of the city’s oldest, Lombard Street was constructed in two parts. The southern Cuba Street end, D.P.35, section 300, was surveyed in 1875 (although there may have been dwellings there as early as 1872). The northern Featherston Street end, D.P.206, section 303, was surveyed in in 1881.
On January 22, 1881, the first official horse race meeting was held. The course ran from Lombard Street, along Featherston Street, through the Showgrounds, and then Cuba Street. At that stage it was all open ground. Boxing Day race meetings had been occurring in the general area since 1871, on barely cleared bush land.
Section 303 was owned by Mr Joseph Edward Nathan, of Joseph Nathan and Co., owners of the agricultural supply firm that evolved into Glaxo. Sections 300 and 303 were of equal length, and the Borough Council commenced subdivision in 1883.
In 1930, pioneer Mr WM Anderson, wrote a letter to the editor of Manawatū Standard including past reflections of his time as a tenant on Lombard Street, c. 1883-5. With the street belonging to two parties there was some tension between the subdivisions. A high fence was built, blocking those with houses at the northern end from entering town.
As a result, delivery services from butchers, bakers and milkmen, had to forgo the more direct southern route (from Cuba Street) and access their northern customers via Featherston Street.
When a hole was struck through the fence, yet another barrier was raised, a padlocked gate. The padlock was leased to a man who asked sixpence a week from each householder for the privilege of its use. Eventually the fence was cut down on the condition that northern end owners buy a quarter acre section on the southern end as well.
In 1885 Lombard Street was completely formed and metalled. Channels were then made, using a plough and the borough horses. In 1886 a loan was authorised to be raised for the improvement of private streets, Lombard Street being one. Monies were dispersed on a pro rata basis in each ward. Lombard Street was valued at £271.
It was from 1900 to 1910 that the street saw the most progress in a municipal sense. Footpaths were formed, kerbed and gravelled; with regular top-dressing of sand and tar. The drainage scheme was extended to Lombard Street in 1900. Reports of houses with overflowing cesspits in 1904, eventually led to the excavation of sewer pipes in 1906. In 1908, a streetlamp was moved from Featherstone Street (later Featherston Street) to the Lombard Street junction. The following year, residents planted trees along the street.
The next decade was one of up-keep and repairs as required.
In July of 1930, the width of gas mains were increased to improve capacity to cookers and heating units.
Early residents, business, organisations and clubs included
Orange Lodge Trustees (a Protestant organisation) purchased property in Lombard Street in 1883-4. The Orange Hall was constructed and became a meeting hub for many groups, organisations, and clubs thereafter. Here is an image of the Promoters and First Officers of Loyal Orange Lodge No. 65, Star of Freedom. The hall was gutted by a fire in 1915 and rebuilt as the Orange Lodge Hall. In 1931 Orange Lodge temporarily housed 54 students from Central School.
A bowling club was established in Palmerston North in 1890. The Lombard Street site was purchased in 1890 by Mr J Walkley and the green established. Play began the following year and Mr Walkley reigned as club president for 12 years. With the club owning property in Lombard and Taonui Streets. The Taonui Street side was developed into a bowling green from 1907. Combined with Lombard Street it amounted to two full sized greens. Mr JA Nash (here bowling with his wife, Elizabeth), was president of the club from 1910 to 1912. By 1925, due to financial restraints, the Lombard Street frontage was sold and a new pavilion built on the Taonui Street side.
For a comprehensive history of the street's development, businesses, and who lived there, take a look at the lecture notes of Brian Mather and supplementary material from the Palmerston North Historical Society, circa. 2006.
Renumbering
The addresses on Lombard Street were renumbered in 1937. See p.159 and p.160 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.
Built Heritage Inventory
