This photograph shows the pupils at the Craven School for Girls. In the middle row second from left is Nita (Margaretta) Macauley. The school opened in Queen Street in 1892 as a boarding and day school. This photograph was probably taken after the school moved to the house of the founders, Anna, Isabel, Caroline, and Wilhelmina Fraser, in 142 Main Street in 1917. After the school closed in 1929, the house was turned into flats. They were demolished in 1990 - at the time they were numbered 560 Main Street.

A group of cyclists naviagate the flooding on Rangitikei Street. The 1926 flood particularly affected the Takaro area of Palmerston North. The Mangaone and Kawau Streams overflowed and some houses were surrounded by 2-3 feet of water. Around 1927 the main flow of the Kawau stream was diverted into the Mangaone Stream to remove the need for the city’s storm water system to cope with large volumes of water originating from farmland north-east of the city. This scheme appears to be a direct result of the 1926 flood.

There was a week of events to celebrate Palmerston North being granted Borough status in 1877. On Monday 600 troops from Linton Army camp paraded past the War Memorial where the salute was taken by the Mayor, Mr G. Tremaine. The Parade of troop was made up of a detachment of the engineers, infantry and army service corps, and was led by Major E.R. Firth.

'Atawhai', meaning 'warm welcome', was built for Edwin Keiller, a widower, as a healthy place to raise his children. It was designed by C.T. Natusch, the architect, and built by Arthur Bennett at the top of the bluff across the bridge from Palmerston North. At the time building materials had to be hauled up the bluff by a double pulley, although a steep access road was built at a later date. The house had 17 rooms, plus sculleries and pantries, and included a verandah facing the sun. In 1963 the Presbyterian Educational Trust bought the house and it is administered in conjunction with Massey University as a hostel for students. It is now known as Fergusson Hall. The photograph shows the inital development of the rose garden.

The Arena Manawatu, built by Fletcher Development and Construction comprised of 19 complete spans. The Palmerston North pavilion was completed in March 1981.

This photograph was taken from the top of the old Mckenzie's building between Coleman Mall and Rangitikei Street in The Square, Palmerston North. On the far left can be seen the Fitzherbert Street (now Avenue) corner, with the former two-storey BNZ, originally built in 1878, rebuilt in concrete in 1902 and extended in 1909. The Manawatu Evening Standard (5th building from Fitzherbert Avenue corner) moved onto this site between 1903 and 1910. The last building visible in this block is the Borough Council Chambers (formerly the old Colonial Bank of New Zealand). The Main Street corner can be seen on the right, with the Coles building on the far side, and the railway running out of Main Street West running through into The Square.

A young couple and their baby stop to admire a fine planting of flowers in the Victoria Esplanade.

The old Midland Brewery had been used as a milk processing plant for the past 30 years prior to 1976. It was purchased in the mid- 1940s by the Manawatu Milk and Cream Co. When the new milk processing plant in Gillespie’s Line began operating the building was purchased by the Consumer Co-op. The sale agreement included a compulsory demolition clause, as parts of the building had been condemned for some time. The cleared area provided parking space in 1976 for 60 cars between PDC and Ferguson Street.

In February 1910, an approach was made to the Education Department for a grant to establish a school at West End. It was opened 1 July 1913. Structures including a hall, swimming pool (shown here) and so on were added over the years. The first headmaster was A O Buchler.

Unidentified officer of the Palmerston North Rifle Volunteers. The Palmerston North Rifles, known as C Company of No. 2 Battalion, Wellington (West Coast) Rifle Volunteers, was founded in 1879. They were represented at Parihaka, in the Boer War and World War One. Rifle practice was held at the Hokowhitu Rifle Range and the corps takes part in inter-corps shooting contests.

James Linton settled in Palmerston North in 1871, playing a large part in its early days. The family moved to Australia in 1897. The photograph is of one of the thirteen children of James and Sarah Anne Linton - possibly either William or Edward.

The 1897 Cyclopaedia of New Zealand describes William Hamer as a 'chemist, druggist, and aerated water manufacturer'. He was born in England where he studied for the medical profession and subsequently went into the pharmaceutical trade. On arrival in New Zealand in 1890, he first settle in Wanganui as a dispenser. When he came to Foxton he purchased a branch of the business of Mr R. Leary of Palmerston North. He was elected to the Foxton Borough Council in 1893.

Mr Thomas Lovejoy is sitting in the front row, second from the right.

These palm trees were planted in the mid 1930's. The Victoria Esplanade underwent a variety of improvements under Peter Black, the Curator of Reserves from 1908-1946. These included various footpaths, Victoria Drive, mass plantings (notably of the cherry trees and phoenix palms), the creation of a pergola, a tea kiosk, the RSA paddling pool and a begonia hothouse (now known as the “Peter Black Conservatory”).

The Palmerston North Motorcycle Club gather outside J Buglass Garage, ready to run out to Foxton Heads.

The 'Library Players' drama group won the Inter-house Drama Festival, winning the Rees Cup outright, in 1943.

Standing; J Thompson; P Thorburn; H Johansen; E Lovell; L Moxham

Sitting: B Smillie; M Cranston.

An unusual view taken from directly above the tram track. The Mangahao Power Station provides hydroelectric power and is situated near the town of Shannon. It serves Wellington, Horowhenua, Taranaki, Hawkes Bay, and the Wairarapa. After being delayed by the first world war construction began in late 1919 and the station opened in November 1924.

This is a photograph of a Mr Aldrich. The Aldrichs were a wealthy family who owned Matsubara in Bunnythorpe.

Mr and Mrs Roley Pearson were the parents of George and Trevor Pearson. This gathering is in front of H H Hunt's house, which was still standing in 1979.