Oakley Street, Name and History

Name: Oakley

Suburb, Palmerston North Central

Oakley Street is named in honour of Mrs Sarah Oakley (1854-1938), nee Hanlon, one of the town's earliest residents and land owners.

The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.

Mrs S Oakley's parents, Sarah and John Hanlon, emigrated from Warwickshire, England, in 1874 with their children Caroline, Sarah (then around 20 years old), Lawrence, Agnes and William; on the ship Euterpe. Mr John Hanlon is recorded as a mason on the passenger list. The family settled in Terrace End Palmerston North and Mr Hanlon took up work as a builder and mason.

Here their daughter, Miss Sarah Hanlon, met Mr Frederick Oakley, one of the first carpenters in Palmerston North. Mr F Oakley was born May 6 1846, in Walsall, England. He arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand with his parents in 1857, aboard the Indian Queen. He apprenticed into the building trade in Wellington, working for Mr Lockie. After seven years’ experience he went to Foxton and built the first post office with Mr John Edmund Perrin. On moving to Palmerston North in May of 1871, he and Mr JE Perrin built the first store in the township – belonging to Mr George Mathew Snelson.

Later they partnered with undertaker Mr Meyrick. Advertising as carpenters, builders and undertakers, the firm Meyrick, Perrin and Oakley built most of the early houses in Palmerston North.

A letter Mr J Hanlon wrote to the Manawatū Times was referenced January 6th 1877:

“… his daughter laid the “foundation brick” of the first brick cottage ever erected in Palmerston, on 28th December last.”

Mr Hanlon didn't actually specify which daughter.

Miss S Hanlon married Mr F Oakley on the 13th of June 1877, at Saint Patrick’s Church. In doing so they joined two of the earliest building families in Palmerston North.

The Oakley’s had nine children: Helen Agnes b.1878, Rachel Sarah b.1880, Mary Elizabeth Josephina b.1882, Frederick William John b.1884, Mabel Gertrude b.1886, Harold Sylvester b.1888, Francis Claud b.1891, Joseph Mary Francis Xavier b.1898 and Raymond Reginald Louis b.1895. They were predeceased by their youngest son, Raymond, in 1925.

The couple moved to 169 Church Street (later renumbered 457) in 1904, and remained there the rest of their lives. Mr Oakley died in of December 1930, aged 84 years, and Mrs Oakley died in July 1938, also aged 84 years.

History

Oakley Street, then unnamed, was drawn into James Mitchell’s plan of 1866. It was surveyed all the way through to Cuba Street. However, the location of the Palmerston North Showgrounds, decided in 1886, altered the earlier plan. Once Oakley Street was formed, it ran from Featherston Street and ended a short way into, and adjoining, sections 295 and 296 of the Showgrounds.

Around 1896 the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association rented land from Mr Christensen on, what was then, allotments 1 and 2 of section 295. This property, described as a sort of island territory in the A&P grounds, was successfully claimed by Mrs Catherine C Peters. The Supreme Court allowed that she was the widow of the original grantee, Mr Carl Peters. She was an absentee owner and the land was used intermittently for grazing. The A&P repeatedly tried to purchase or lease the land from Mrs Peters.

In 1920 the government authorised taking possession of the land for public purposes, under the Public Works Amendment Act, 1910, and clause 50 of the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal and Public Bodies Empowering Act, 1919. As a result, the A&P publicly gazetted their intention to acquire the land and made payment based on government valuation. In 1922 this move was nationally criticised and became known as the "Peters Case" when Mrs Peter's son protested the actions – over twelve months after the fact. A detailed overview was provided in the Dominion, volume 16, issue 62, 6 December 1922, page 7.

The sale was finalised in April of 1921 and the A&P asked the council to close that portion of Oakley Street – 800 links lots 2, 3, 4 and 5 of section 295 southwest Oakley, and 100 links on the northwest. A meeting of local electors was called to make the decision in March of 1922. The citizens voted in favour of increasing the A&P grounds via this method. A special order was passed by the council in April 1922 and that portion of Oakley Street was closed. By 1929 a cattle pavilion had been erected there.

Early residents included

Mr Herbert Rowlands lived in Palmerston North for many years. He died at his Oakley Street residence in September of 1911. His brother, Mr David Rowlands, was an old settler of Tiakitahuna (also known as Jackey Town).

Early business, organisations and clubs included

Oakley was predominantly a residential street with some small businesses operating from homes. Mrs Leigh of 4 Oakley Street sold dairy livestock, for example, or Mr J Hansen of 12 Oakley Street sold gravel. There was also a poultry farm at 6 Oakley Street.

There was a steady trade in the let and sale of property and renting of rooms. In 1905, Mr Ludolph Georg West designed two cottages for Mrs McCartney on the street.

Taonui Street, Name and History

Name: Taonui

Suburb, Palmerston North Central

Taonui Street is named in honour of the Taonui Swamp. While the literal meaning is "big spear" or "big catch," it is a metaphor for an abundance of kai (food) and resources.

The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.

The Taonui Basin lies between the Manawatū and Oroua rivers in Kairanga, on the Manawatū Plains. The plains are an ancient sea bed. Earth movement over millions of years shaped the sea bed into domes running roughly parallel with the Ruahine and Tararua Ranges. This, in turn, determined the way in which the Manawatū and Oroua rivers meandered.

The meandering of the rivers, particularly from Opiki to the sea, created lagoons and basins that became separate from the main flow when the rivers changed paths. In times of high rainfall, the Manawatū and Oroua rivers would overflow and the water, full of silty alluvium, became trapped in the basins, forming swamps. Taonui Swamp was among the largest of these.

Semi-swamp forest formed on the low lying land surrounding the swamp. It was dominated by Aotearoa New Zealand’s tallest native tree, kahikatea (white pine), and pukatea (Laurelia novae-zelandiae). Within the swamp was harakeke (flax) and raupō (Typha orientalis). The Taonui swamp had a plentiful supply of tuna (eels). The site was a major and important source of kai (food) and resources for Rangitane and Ngāti Kauwhata.

The sale of Te Ahu a Turanga Block, first offered to the government by Rangitane chief, Hirawanui Kaimokopuna, in 1858, was finalised in 1864. Payment was made to Rangitane, Ngāti Kauwhata and Ngāti Tumokai. To learn more about the sale read these Back Issues articles, An anniversary with meaning for Manawatū by Toi Warbrick, and The trio who oversaw a momentous land sale by Virginia and Warren Warbrick. In 1867 the first sections were being sold in Karere.

When a survey of the Kairanga block was completed by Mr Thomas M Drummond in 1878, drainage was implemented. The land block adjoined the Taonui Swamp which remained in Māori ownership. Kairanga County land sales were made in 1881.

Where Māori viewed the swamp with opportunities and benefits, settlers only saw challenges. European farmers set about clearing vegetation and swamp forest in order to introduce paddocks of crops and livestock. This act of clearing resulted in higher incidence of flooding, the centre basin was open to water up to three quarters of the year. Finding drainage particularly difficult to maintain in winter, farmers also carried out their own drainage systems.

The deep drain originally cut through the centre of the block, joined up with the Te Puke Stream and emptied into the Taonui Swamp. It was after 1894, when the Manawatū Drainage Board straightened and deepened the main drainage outlets, that Taonui Swamp began to empty. As it emptied, harakeke and blackberry, the latter introduced by settlers, encroached. Eventually the food species completely disappeared and the forest almost followed.

There are two remnants of the semi-swamp forest today, Buchanan’s Bush (now Clausen’s) and Sutherland’s Bush. The forest that used to entirely surround the Taonui Basin can never be fully regenerated, as drainage has lowered the water table irreversibly. When the Clausen family purchased their dairy farm in 1979, they recognised the significance of the forest remnant. They fenced the 5-acre area of bush and spent a great deal of time and energy towards enabling the forest to regenerate and become healthy.

Sources

Heagney, G. (2023, September 11). With a name comes a kaupapa: The history of Māori names of significance in Feilding. Stuff NZ.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/300966028/with-a-name-comes-a-kaupapa-the-history-of-mori-names-of-significance-in-feilding

Knight, C. (2018). Ravaged beauty (2nd ed.). Totara Press.

History

Taonui Street was the first subdivision in the town, with the northern end (Featherston Street end) D.P.1, surveyed in 1872. The owner of this section (301) was Mr WHW Haines. Through an oversight it was not dedicated until 1951. The southern end (Cuba Street end) D.P.16, was surveyed in 1874, being section 302, owner not stated.

Taonui Street is one of the first streets to have a continuous row of dwellings. By 1878 there were seven houses at the northern end and six at the southern.

In the early 1880s the area around Taonui Street was known as the 'fashionable quarter' and had the nickname, "New Chum Town." Taonui Street later acquired the name "Soapsuds Alley" because of all the clothslines strung up there.

In 1913 there was talk, initiated by a special committee appointed by the Borough Council, of changing the name from Taonui Street to Nelson Street. There was discussion in the Manawatū Standard on preservation of local Māori names, versus honouring the overseas hero of Trafalger. Fortunately, the local Māori name endured.

Early residents, business, organisations and clubs included

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 Taonui Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.258 and p.259 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.

Built Heritage Inventory

The Palmerston North Working Men's Club, 1928 - the main entry was on Cuba Street with the lounge bar and some other spaces on Taonui Street. This building later became the Cosmopolitan Club, 95-103 Taonui Street.

Domain Street, Name and History

Name: Domain

Suburb, Palmerston North Central

Henry Jackson's survey plan of 1872 shows a large gravel pit occupying the future Domain Street site, accessed by a branch tram line (see map sections 694-698). The pit was subsequently filled to enable railway extensions.

Scott’s plan in 1881 shows two acres of the railway yards reserved for a domain. Therefore, this street was intended as an access road to a domain which did not eventuate.

Domain Street was surveyed in 1881, D.P.228, sections 322 and 339, and was originally a private street.

The map is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923.

History

In August of 1884 at a Palmerston Borough Council meeting, councillor Gatton presented a petition from residents of Domain Street. It requested that the street be taken over by the council as the requirements of the Borough Engineer had been complied with. The petition was discussed at the following meeting. Councillor Hawkins opined that the residents should tidy and repair the street first. Councillor Larcomb confirmed that the street was in disrepair. Others, including councillor West, argued that the residents had been paying rates and should expect the council to maintain their street in return.

In September of 1884 a special meeting was held to pass a resolution that Domain become a public street. However, the matter was once again adjourned. The issue? The street was forty-feet wide and the Municipal Corporations Act, 1876, required public streets to be sixty-six feet wide.

This must have been resolved, as in November of 1884, Domain Street was included in the list of town streets to be metalled and formed. Street lamps, grading, a storm water outlet, sewer connections, and water tables were addressed from 1900 to 1910.

A reoccurring complaint was the state of the footpaths. As an access street directly across from the railway station, it became heavily congested (particularly on show days) and the footpaths suffered. They were regularly treated with tar and sand and received concrete curbing and channelling in 1925. It was also in 1925 that parking restrictions were made; a result of the narrow road. The tar-sealing of the street in April 1934 was welcome.

On June 21st, 1940, the Manawatū Standard reported on the 28th Māori Battalion leaving the city. Their final farewell parade left the Showgrounds, moved along Cuba Street, and marched up Domain Street to the railway station. Friends, whānau and members of the public accompanied and cheered the men on their way.

At the station hundreds of people had assembled to wish the soldiers well and watch them depart for Wellington to board troopships. The mood was quieter and more emotional. Tiger, the battalion mascot, was led up and down the platform, leaning his front paws on the window ledges of the train for final pets and farewells. You can read more about Tiger in this Back Issues article by Tracey Armstrong.

Early residents included

Mr John Lynch purchased a section allotment in Domain Street in 1883 and a house was in situ the following year. Mr J Lynch was born in County Cork Ireland in 1852 and emigrated to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1876, on the ship Inverness. He is listed as a farm labourer. On arrival he worked as a farm contractor and carpenter.

Mr John Lynch met and married a fellow immigrant, Miss Mary Hyam, in 1876, and in time they settled in the Manawatū district. The couple had eight children; Daniel b.1883, Thomas b.1886, Nora Lena b.1891, Kathleen Agnes b.1892, Mary Magdalene b.1894, John Jeremiah Patrick b.1894, Julia Bridget ‘Dolly’ b.1896, and Emily Theresa b.1898.

Mr Lynch successfully encouraged his brothers Daniel and Jeremiah, to join him in Aotearoa New Zealand. Mr Jeremiah Lynch lived with the family in Domain Street c. 1884 before moving and settling in Pohangina.

In 1887 Mr Lynch had sold the house in Domain Street and purchased a section allotment in Wood Street, at the edge of town. The house on this section was destroyed by fire the following year. By 1894 he purchased six acres of bushland on the corner of Featherston and Wood Streets and there the Lynch family made their home, initially farming in Linton and Tokomaru.

Mr Lynch retired in 1912 and moved into town. He died at 37 Grey Street, on the 3rd of March 1931, aged 79 years.

Mrs Hannah Hansen owned the property at 2 Domain Street from 1899 until her death, September 1923, aged 70 years. Mrs H Hansen was born in Ireland and emigrated to Aotearoa New Zealand, c. 1867. She first lived in Dunedin and was married to Doctor CJ Allen. He died in 1880.

Mrs CJ Allen later met and married Mr Hansen and the couple came to reside in Palmerston North. Mr Hansen predeceased her by fifteen years. She was a fruiterer with a store in Te Marae o Hine the Square from 1899 and likely resided on premises while owning and letting several properties in the township. The store was located two down from the Bank of Australasia, on the corner of Te Marae o Hine the Square and Broad Street (later Broadway Avenue). In June 1912 the business was taken over by Mrs J Anderson, and Mrs Hansen retired to Domain Street.

Mr Johannes Hansen, also known as John, was resident of 10 Domain Street from 1922. Even though he wasn’t an early resident of the street, he was an early resident of the Manawatū. The Manawatū Standard reported that on 21 Nov 1930, Mr J Hansen attended the ‘Old Identities’ lunch, catering to “pioneers and settlers, city makers and nation builders.”

He died on the 1st of February 1939, in his 95th year, at 15 Domain Road (renumbered from 10) and was interred at the Kelvin Grove Cemetery.

Early business, organisations and clubs included

In 1890, Palmerston North Methodists purchased two sections in Cuba Street and an adjoining section in Domain Street. A cottage on the Cuba Street section was moved to the Domain Street section as a residence for the minister. A small church was built on the corner section and services commenced in 1891. In August of 1910 a kindergarten was built at the rear of the church on Domain Street. The school, designed by AW Corslett, was capable of seating 150 children.

John Black, proprietor, built the Café de Paris Hotel in 1892 and it opened in 1893. He had previously been a railway contractor in the South Island and had worked on the Napier breakwater. It was in Napier that he met his wife, and the couple moved to Palmerston North. The unlicensed 22-bedroom hotel, situated on the corner of Main and Domain Streets, was ideally situated opposite the railway station. As such, it provided accommodation for boarders and travellers and a place to obtain refreshments for the latter.

The dining room, fitted with small tables, was sizable. On just one day of the A&P Show of 1893, over six hundred visitors had their luncheon in the establishment.

1893 proved an eventful year for Mr J Black. In June he was awarded a publican’s licence by the Palmerston Licensing Committee and was applauded by the public in attendance. In August, there was some excitement when a heavily disguised Whanganui Gaol escapee, George Harper, was arrested in the hotel. He had escaped from a hard-labour gang two months prior. When arrested the confidence trickster was in-the-act of trying to defraud Mr Black of money. In December, Mr W Hook of Timaru purchased the Café de Paris from Mr Black.

By February of 1895 the hotel had changed hands and was under the management of Mrs Susan Manson. Mrs Manson added further bedrooms, sitting rooms, billiard rooms and a dining room. The freehold and lease was purchased in April 1900 by the Ward Brewery Company who on-sold to Mr FJ Tasker. While the Café de Paris Hotel was in his hands, he added a billiard table and made alterations. In 1902, Mr Tasker added nine bedrooms and bathroom on the Domain Street frontage, and a balcony the full length of the building. Architect, Mr Ludolph Georg West, designed the plans.

In June of 1904, the Trasker’s sold the hotel to Mr E Woollright. In little over a year Mrs E Kennedy purchased Mr Wollright’s interest and disposed of it to Mrs Rebecca Tabor, who then transferred it to Mrs Mary Moynihan. Mrs Moynihan was licensee of Café de Paris until November 1906 when it was transferred to Mrs James Adams. She treated the hotel to a painting and refresh, with renovations being completed in June of 1908.

In September of 1912 the license was transferred to Mr John Smith Fletcher, who sold it to Mr Mark Dumbleton in January of 1916. Mr M Dumbleton renovated the hotel. Between December of 1920 to Feb of 1921 the hotel changed hands four times, from Mr Dumbleton to Mr Edmund Perkis to Mr Patrick John Purcell, to Mr Thomas Richards. Mr T Richards was well-known in trotting circles in Auckland and New Plymouth. Local newspapers show he was in trouble regularly for trading at Café de Paris outside of licensed hours. In 1923 an extension was built on the Domain Street frontage, with an opening to a courtyard.

In 1927 the license transferred between four owners, Mr Richards to Mr Henry Bodley, to Mr James Condy to Mr and Mrs F Jabez Bebbington. The Bebbington’s managed the Cafe de Paris Hotel for four years. In March of 1931, the new licensee was Mrs Florence Lucilla Mills. By June of 1935, Mrs ST Murphy was licensee, and in May of 1937 Mr William Charles Coldicutt took over the hotel. It continued to change hands throughout the years.

In 1963 the Main Street frontage was replaced.

The building was demolished in August of 2016 after significant fire damage eighteen months prior. Mr Gary Young was the owner. It had become an iconic bar in the 1980s, hosting live music from local and national acts.

Renumbering

The addresses on Domain Street were renumbered between 1936 and 1939. See p.86 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.