The Square Circular was Palmerston North City Council's monthly community publication, informing Palmerstonians of PNCC initiatives, activites, and events. This month's issue includes: Christmas in the Square; Awapuni Landfill; conservation; weed contro; Tertiary Education; Chris Loads; road signs amnesty, parking; The Lido; road crossings; Arena 4; Esplanade; civil defence; committees; water; Destination Manawaū; The Regent; Manawatū Art Gallery; grants; Paul Dibble; Library; Catherine Hourigan; annual plan; Vision Manawatū.

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 6th August 2024.   Part 1 of 5. Born in Kairanga the youngest of three. Was fearful of the Korean war in 1950s. Father said if it came to New Zealand they would head for the hills. Two sets of grandparents living quite close. When she was four years old two Dutch men came into her life Was deeply affected by watching someone tied to a tree in film Davy Crockett. Was told as a child she had ‘an old head’. Enjoyed farm life but had conflicts with her brother. Went to a small country school where three classes shared a classroom and a teacher. Strapped for discipline. Fingernails and teeth were inspected. Didn’t belong to groups with other children. Didn’t like cliques. For a long time it was difficult for her to believe people liked her. Learning was not hard. Very few toys as a child. Liked dolls.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 13th August 2024.    Part 2 of 5. Was a girl guide until high school. Fortunate to have Cecily Snoxell as captain.  Went to Freyberg High School. Obtained drivers license and drove to school. Started in professional class – languages etc.  Did well with English in third form but hated it in fourth form. Nearly the bottom of the class. Four different maths teachers. Did not enjoy secondary school. Not many friends. Was accredited University Entrance qualification In 1966 went on a five-month trip with her mother and grandmother to USA, UK, Ireland, Denmark, Italy then ship to Australia and flew back to New Zealand. She didn’t know what she wanted to do. Wanted to be a nurse but got no encouragement. Became a nurse aide at Dannevirke hospital and liked it.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 20th August 2024. Part 3 of 5. Went to teachers college enjoyed it but didn’t like going on section. Chose infants because she lacked the confidence with older children. Bonded for three years – probationary assistant for one year plus two. Broke bond and travelled overseas with another person. Went to Rome and became an au pair. Travelled to Trieste then returned to Rome as an au pair. Not satisfactory. Separated from her friend and travelled to Vienna, Germany and London by herself. In London worked in a hotel at a wide range of jobs. Travelled to The Gambia by herself.  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 27th August 2024. Part 4 of 5. Went to The Gambia by herself. Very naïve. Couldn’t understand French and had no plans. A person she met at the airport found accommodation for her. Travelled to the capital, Banjul. Very primitive. People lived in compounds. Food at markets very expensive. Living conditions were very difficult. Couldn’t get visa extended. Went to Paris then to London. After three years returned to New Zealand. Suffered from chronic depression. Worked at Victoria University library  

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 3rd September 2024. Part 5 of 5. On returning from overseas was probably suffering chronic depression and lost all her confidence. Worked in library at Victoria University, Wellington. Struck up a friendship with a person who became her sister-in-law. Returned to London and met her husband-to-be. Both returned to New Zealand. Got a job at Massey and was there for 17 years.  Took voluntary redundancy. Took course in IT at Polytech. Husband has a stroke and dies. Was involved in protesting against removal of Fitzherbert Avenue trees and construction of Turitea windfarm. Worked at Somerset retirement village  

Military camp at Waiouru preparing soldiers for WW2

Tangimoana School Golden Jubilee reunion

Annual performance by the City Kindergarten Mothers' Club (name of club may need correction)

Annual performance by the City Kindergarten Mothers' Club (club name may need correction)

Annual performance by the City Kindergarten Mothers' Club (name of club may need correction)

Godfrey Phillips factory social club following a performance 

City Kindergarten Mothers' Club annual performance

Tangimoana School reunion

This photograph was taken by Alf and Merlyn Drew, to test equipment for their business, Photo Instruments Limited which operated at 55 Princess Street from 1959-1989.

This photograph was taken by Alf and Merlyn Drew, to test equipment for their business, Photo Instruments Limited which operated at 55 Princess Street from 1959-1989.

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 16th July 2024. Part 1 of 3. Taught social studies, geography and history at Awatapu College. Was also a teacher librarian. Discovered boxes of school archives which included sports results, photos, newsletters and school magazines. After retiring Sue wrote the school history 1976 – 2015. It is a PDF file available from https://manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz/item/8b700d1c-819c-4c44-85f1-6cabc8e48a8f

School’s philosophy was to expand a child’s learning to the best of their ability. Originally a flat system – no tall poppies. Certificates were presented for participation in activities. No streaming.  The school had several deans and a guidance counsellor. Later a dux system was introduced. Awapuni special needs school was integrated with Awatapu College in mid 1990s. There was strong approval from parents for a school uniform. Awatapu College had its own board. Most other schools were controlled by the Department of Education. 

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 30th July 2024. Part 3 of 3.  Has written a book Manawatu Striders, Runners and Walkers : The First Four Decades available from Palmerston North City Library. Had finished interviews for the book before Covid struck. Travelled to England with husband in March 2020.  Lived in Reading. Covid shutdowns in UK affected their plans so they returned to NZ early. New Zealand in lockdown but they were able to return because they had NZ passports. Their house was still rented out so rented accommodation in Auckland, Had to self isolate. Eventually returned to their home in Palmerston North Kept in touch with family and U3A with video communication. Returned to Britain in April 2022 after Covid restrictions had eased.   

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 23rd July 2024. Part 2 of 3. Manawatu Striders is a running and walking group based in Palmerston North established in 1983. Sue has been a member since 2006. She has written a book Manawatu Striders, Runners and Walkers : The First Four Decades available from Palmerston North City Library. Striders is for adults. Motto ‘complete not compete’ Meet on Sunday mornings and form groups of five or six people. Two hours. Started as a running club but now includes walkers. No dogs! Runs events in January and February for the public. Parkrun is a similar organization but not associated with Striders. Time is recorded and entered on their website www.parkrun.co.nz and can be compared with other contestants. Challenges in Striders created by Covid. Changes to routes caused by increased traffic on roads. More use of walkways. Runners sometimes use the Manawatu Gorge track. Striders have a uniform. Local membership was 300 but has dropped to about 150. 

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 9th July 2024. Men’s Sheds started in Australia funded by Australian government Known as Menzshed, started in Kapiti (Waikanae) in 2010 as a community organisation Men doing something with their hands. Friendship is important Many members had moved to a smaller home and didn’t have any tools 140 Menzsheds in NZ now and still growing Men’s Shed (Menzshed) started in Manawatu in 2011 Was able to access central government funding because of focus on mental health Kapiti District Council provided an old store shed at Waikanae Beach. This has now been replaced. Financial help from many sponsors. Menzshed Manawatu have made coffins for stillborn babies A member of Manawatu Menzshed has built a laser cutter which will cut wood and plastics. They make items for other organisations to give as raffle prizes Made park benches for public areas.  

Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. The life of cartoonist Lawrence Erskine (Jim) McNicol (1911-1983). Drawing was a big part of Jim's life, from childhood, throughout his career in the navy and later in civilian life. Under his pen name Inky, he produced over 500 cartoons for local free paper The Tribune.

The I A and P building housed the Feilding branch of the Evening Standard newspaper on its ground floor from July 1980. The ground floor premises had previously been a gift and souvenir shop.

On July 21, 1919, King George V approved the award of a silk Union Flag to be presented to Territorial Force Battalions and Battalions serving overseas. Here the flags are being presented to the 1st, 2nd & 3rd Battalions, Wellington Regiment, after consecration. The Colours (flags) were then laid up in All Saints Church.

An article published in the Evening Post, 26 April 1920 records that: "The colour-bearers received the colours from the Mayor (Mr. J. A. Nash, M.P.), and the parade moved off to All Saints' Church, where the consecration took place. The service was conducted by the Rev. Blackburn ... The colour-bearers were Lieutenants Guthrie, M.C. (1st Battalion), Brown, M.C. M.M. (2nd Battalion), and Stuart (3rd Battalion). On behalf of the officiers, n.c.o.'s, and men of the three battalions, Brigadier-General Hart (1st Battalion) and Colonels Cunningham (2nd Battalion), and Weston (3rd Battalion) handed the colours to the Church for custody."

The Ashhurst branch of the Women’s Institute (sometimes Country Women's Institute) was formed 15 August 1932.

A Mrs J. Penket is thought to be 5th from the left behind the front row. She started visiting patients in hospital on behalf of the Manawatu District CWI branches in the early 1930s and continued to do so for many years. The woman second from left in the second back row has been identified as Ellen (Nellie) Charlotte Flowers (née Ansin), who was Red Cross nurse in the Ashhurst community.

People dressed in costumes for a theatre production or fancy dress party. Visible are several knights, nuns, friars and ladies.

It is believed to be a photograph of nurses performing a revue at the Opera House 10-11 August 1945, with entertainment and sketches depicting nurses from the past. Proceeds from the shows were to go to patriotic purposes.

The woman second from left in the back row has been identified as Ellen (Nellie) Charlotte Flowers (née Ansin), a Red Cross nurse in the Ashhurst Communtiy.

The farmhouse of Mr & Mrs William Still at ‘Peep O’Day’, near Kimbolton. Mr William Still and his wife, Hannah, took up this farm on Kimbolton Road near Bluff Road during the 1890’s. L to R: Arthur Haycock, killed in WWI; William Still; Elsie Still, later Mrs Ireland; Mrs Hannah Still, holding her son Trevor; Annie Haycock, later Mrs Moss of Limerick St, Palmerston North.

Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Whakarongo settlement carries the name of a nineteenth century Rangitanē woman of courage and resilence. Whakarongo was raised as a whāngai at Te Kuripaka pa by her uncle, Te Aokautere, a prominant Rangitāne leader. She was taken to Kaipara during a conflict where she lived until her brother took her back to the Manawatū in her later years. Whakarongo settlement, just north of Palmerston North, was so named to honour this Rangitāne wahine.

Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. Carol Davidson (née Jefferies) was adopted when she was a baby. Around 1995, Carol started making contact with her birth family. A 1939 picture of people sitting outside Ladies' Rest in Te Marae o Hine/The Square gave Carol Davidson the first glimpse of her birth mother Marion Emerson and aunts. In 2010, Mrs Davidson had another photo taken at the same spot with her aunts and granddaughter.

Looking across the rock garden and fountain in The Square to the Bank of New Zealand on the corner of Rangitikei Street. The BNZ was built in 1915 and Coronation Fountain shifted to the pond in 1925.

Tanner Bros Ltd Maoriland Photographic Series, postcard no. 305.

Mangatainoka School celebrated its Golden Jubilee in June 1939. This photograph was reproduced in the Manawatū Times on 10 June 1939, with the caption: "Mr. C. H. Brown, chairman of the School Committee, welcoming the ex-pupils on the first day of the celebrations."