Shown here is the 150 acre Lake Puki Puki, near Himatangi, which dried up during the drought of 1969 - 1970, for the first time in living memory. The lake was one of several resulting from the formation of sand dunes along the coast which prevented inland water run-off escaping to the sea. Its average depth was usually 4-7 feet and it was fed by a drain known as the Puki Inlet and from water pumped from Mr P R Barber's property during wet weather. The lake now forms part of the Pukepuke Conservative Area and is an important wetland habitat.

Anti All Black tour demonstrators were addressed by the National President of HART, Mr. Trevor Richards, at the Clock Tower in Palmerston North’s Square. Mr. Richards spoke to the 200 strong crowd for about 45 minutes before they marched to the Showgrounds, where the North Island trials were being staged.

The aircraft was a 90 h.p. de Havilland DH6 owned by the Walsh Brothers of the New Zealand Flying School of Auckland, and piloted 23 year old Captain Richard Russell (at right with back to the camera). The aircraft landed at "Gillespie's Paddock", on the corner of Gillespie's Line and Boundary Road (now Tremaine Avenue). Captain Russell, a World War One veteran, was touring the North Island promoting air travel and taking passengers for rides. He met his death later that year, in an air accident while flying with two Passengers. the boy seen between the wings on the left was Peter Manderson ('Kairanga Pete'), 11 years of age.

A record from the Middle Districts Aero Club provides the following information: "Seen in the air on its approach, with the sun's rays glinting from its glossing wings and frame, one would have declared it to be white, but the aeroplane is brown all over, and at first sight it looked as if [it] were made from thin iron, but instead it is of fine linen stretched taught over the frame work of light spruce wood. This was the description of the first aircraft to land at Gillespie's Line Palmerston North, on July, 31st. 1920, in [the] charge of Mr V. C. Walsh of Auckland, one of the owners of the plane, and with him as pilot was Cpt. R. Russell, D.F.C.

From tip to tip of the wings it measured 35ft while its length was 27ft from propeller to rudder on its tail. It was a De Haviland six, weighing only 14cwt and fitted with a 90 h.p. engine, and was home-built and imported by Messrs Walsh Bros. of Kohimaramara, Auckland."

The bowling and croquet greens were laid out in 1918-1919 and then leased to the Manawatu Bowling and Croquet Club, which was formed in 1917.

'Cluny Park' was originally built by the Hobner Brothers for William Manson, near Palmerston North. The Looman family bought the property in 1959. The old barn and stables, built c1897, is set to the rear of the property, with a puncheon floor made of local Totara blocks. It was still standing in 1973 on Mrs Looman's poultry farm.

This building appears to be of the first Court House in Palmerston North, which was constructed in 1873 and replaced by a larger structure in 1881. The building stood in Main Street east, on the site of the present Court House. The present Court House is the fifth to serve as the Court House on this site.

A severe storm which crossed the North Island on 2 February 1936 caused substantial damage in and around Palmerston North, one of the hardest hit towns. Houses lost roofs, chimneys were blown over, the grandstands of the A&P Association, the Awapuni Racecourse and the sports-ground were demolished and a man was killed when he was blown off his roof as he tried to repair it.

The donor believed that this photograph of an unpaved road is Rangitikei Line, somewhere in the Skerman Road - Aranui Road vicinity. However, the stop sign and raised surface clearly visible in the background would indicate the presence of a railway crossing, making this identification impossible. If the railway line does appear in this photograph, it could be the line between Palmerston North and Feilding or the line between Palmerston North and Foxton.

The Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company was a private railway company that built, owned and operated the line between Thorndon in Wellington and Longburn, near Palmerston North in the Manawatu, between 1881 and 1908. New Zealand Railways Photograph Library.

People being evacuated by boat from the Morrison’s house on Albert Street, near the corner of St Albans Avenue, Palmerston North. The man with his back to the camera is Mr Killiman.

The quarter scale miniature railway in the Victoria Esplanade was opened on the 1 November 1969 by Mayor Desmond Black. It is still running today [2015].

Leila Adair was a hot-air balloonist who traveled around New Zealand making balloon ascents as a money making spectacle. Montage of 3 photographs showing the balloon and Leila Adair during her ascent from The Square in Palmerston North.

The old Opiki toll bridge photographed from the west bank looking eastward towards Palmerston North. It runs across the Manawatu River at Opiki and was constructed by the Tane Hemp Company in 1917-1918 (engineer Joseph Dawson, Pahiatua). It was known for many years as the Opiki Toll Bridge or the Opiki Suspension Bridge. It closed in 1969 but can still be seen today (2014).

Levin is situated in Southern Manawatu and the largest town in the Horowhenua District. It was still in bush in the 1880s and began to develop with the establishment of the Prouse Brothers second sawmill at Weraroa in the 1890s.

This photograph looks south-west. The old goods shed is directly opposite the station building. A train engine can be seen making its way down the track in the centre of the photograph. On the right hand side are businesses on George Street. This image also gives an interesting view of the development, or lack thereof, in Church Street in early years of Palmerston North.

Built as a Public Hall in 1911 to mark the Coronation of George V, it served as such for the next 50 years. In 1962 the Coronation Hall was bought by the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society (later Manawatu Theatre Society) to became a playhouse. In 1996 it was bought by Douglas and Moana Hann, who renovated the building into a home. As of 2014, it is the premises of a painting and decoration business.

The accompanying information with this photograph says ‘taken from grandmother’s flat - at 487 Main Street [Palmerston North] – to the circus across the road”.

This photograph shows a burst water main at Harry Palmer's residence on the corner of Lombard and Featherston Streets. Water is being pumped from the trench where the main outlet sewer is being laid.

This photograph is the earliest known photo of Palmerston North's first public school. The photo was taken after 1878 because the first Presbyterian Church (erected in that year) can be seen in the background on the far right. This school was the fore-runner of the present Central School and was established in the year 1872 with Mr R N Keeling as teacher. When a new school was erected in 1890, this building was probably incorporated into the first Empire Hotel, which was destroyed by fire in 1895. There were four main incarnations of Central School - The Original School (corner of Main and Princess Streets, 1872-1890), Campbell Street School (1890-1922), Central School (Featherston Street, built 1922), Central Normal School (became a practice school for teachers college students in 1956). The school has been partially drawn in by hand.

On Christmas morning in 1918, 50 Father Christmases distributed 5,000 presents to the children of Palmerston North. This was a large-scale charity venture sponsored by the citizens of Palmerston North. The presents were packed for distribution in the offices of the Manawatu Racing Club, in Rangitikei Street, between Queen and Grey Street, as seen in the photograph.

This building was constructed as the Colonial Bank in c1892. It was used as a Public Library 1900-1905 and then converted into the administration building of the Palmerston North Borough Council. It was increased in 1925 by the addition of the two storey structure just seen at the rear, as seen in the photograph. In 1945 the original front portion was demolished and replaced by a new administration building, today known as Square Edge, attached to the 1925 addition at the back.

The Imperial and Indian Contingent of the Imperial Troops toured New Zealand after a conflict in China. The Imperial Troops disembarked in the north side of the Square. From there, they marched around the Square and then to the Showgrounds, where they were met by Mayor Henry Haydon on behalf of the town and Mr Fred Pirani (Member of the House of Representatives) on behalf of the district. From left: H.S. Fitzherbert in Naval Uniform; W R Rawlins; A Edwards; A Guy; Haydon, The Mayor; W Park; R N Keeling, Town Clerk; J Mowlem; Rush; E J Armstrong.

The crowd standing around the main ring and seated in the grandstand, at the A & P show at Palmerston North Showgrounds. The Agricultural and Pastoral Association was formed in Palmerston North in 1886, and the first show held that year.

A humorous group called the 'Darktown Fire Brigade' giving a demonstration of a fire rescue at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. The 'Fire Brigade' was raising moeny for the A & P Association.

This view shows the Town Hall,a large wodden building constructed in 1903. The building housed the local cinema and Moore and Kerse, General Agents. Beyond can be seen a land agent and church.

Firemen fight the flames that gutted an old converted house next to Electrolux Ltd in Fitzherbert Avenue. At left, Deputy Fire officer, O Poppleton.

The 18 member council from 14 contributing authorities at the inaugural meeting of the Manawatu United Council in the Palmerston North Council chambers. Brian Elwood was elected first Chairman of the Manawatu United Council at this first meeting of June 25 1981. Fielding’s Mayor, Mr Ged Corrick, was elected deputy chairman. In the photograph Mr Elwood (inset) addresses the meeting. From left; Mr Ted Cheer, Mayor of Woodville; Mr Ged Corrick, Mayor of Feilding; Mr John Culling, Chairman of Pohangina County; Councillor Bernard Forde, Palmerston North City Council representative.

Frederick Johansen using a shovel to clear his section on the corner of Botanical Road and Church Street, Palmerston North.

Cyril Carle holds a facsimile copy of Pahiatua’s first newspaper at the time of the Pahiatua centennial celebrations from February 28 – March 7, 1981. The Pahiatua Star and Eketahuna Advertiser was published twice weekly from 1886 to 1893.He is holding Volume 2, Issue 1 from June 11. The year is illegible.

The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge was designed in an Italianate style by Palmerston North architect, L G West, and built in 1908 by the Timber Sash and Door Company. The lodge was established in Palmerston North in 1883 and met in various places until their own building was constructed. The building was extended in 1929 and has been upgraded over the years.