Name: Cuba
Suburb, Palmerston North Central
The image is a derivative of this City of Palmerston North District Planning Map from 1971 by Palmerston North City Corporation.
Early business, organisations and clubs included
In the early 1880s, the mayor and other interested parties pursued the formation of an agricultural and pastoral society. In February 1881, their application to the government for approximately five-acres near the old Cuba Street Cemetery was granted for the purpose of a showground. The next step, to form and incorporate the society, was quickly underway.
In 1886 the Borough Council determined that the old cemetery plot in Cuba Street would become part of the showground. The now established Manawatū and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association, hosted the first A&P Show that same year. By 1893 the popular and anticipated annual event had come to be known as ‘show week’ and local businesses enjoyed extra patronage over that time. Here is a panorama of the A&P Show in 1915.
The showgrounds also hosted: sports clubs and events, military troops, celebrations, relief and transit camps, parades and more. For a brief history, read Palmerston North Showgrounds History, by Leanne Croon Hickman.
The military history of Palmerston North intersects significantly with the Awapuni Racecourse and Palmerston North Showgrounds. Listen to this presentation (PowerPoint slides link available) by Leanne Croon Hickman to find out more.
In 1960 the Palmerston North Industries Fair at the Showgrounds attracted 93,000 visitors, you can read more in this Back Issues article by Ralph Body.
From 1881 WT Wood Blacksmith, Wheelwright, and Veterinary Shoeing Smith, ran his business on the corner of Rangitikei and Cuba Streets (between the Royal and Clarendon Hotels). When the building was destroyed by fire in September of 1894, it was rebuilt next door in Cuba Street, behind the Clarendon Hotel. William Thomas Wood was mayor of Palmerston North from 1895-1899 and 1901-1903. After over 30 years of business and community service, the Wood’s left Palmerston North in 1913. Mr E Walders, Veterinary Shoer & General Blacksmith took over Mr Wood’s business.
In 1885, the English and American Coach Factory, Robert Parr proprietor, adjoined WT Woods. This was taken over by Browning and Tory Coachbuilders. Like its neighbour it was destroyed by fire. It reopened in 1896 as WA Browning Coachbuilder. By 1914, adjusting to changing times and technology, the business became WA Browning Carriage and Motor Works, with Mr CH Mundy as the motor engineer. In 1919 the business was sold to Messrs GP Adler and Co.
In 1889 the Miller's opened the Post Office Store on the corner of Cuba and Taonui Streets, a business and residence, it was to become a family endeavour. Mrs George Miller was the first proprietor – general storekeeper and produce dealer, house and land agent, and trader of grains. In 1901 Mr George Miller sold the business lease to Mr Joshua Cull, a Bunnythorpe settler. He continued the grocery business with Mr George H Miller Jr., who had worked in the store since childhood. In 1903, Hawera businessman, Mr J Butler took over the lease. Mr G Miller Sr. died in 1906.
In 1907 the Post Office Store became Messrs Miller and Vinall, grocers and provision merchants, until Mr Holbrook purchased Mr Vinall’s interest. With Mr George H Miller the senior partner, they changed the name to Miller & Holbrook Family Grocers & Provision Merchants. The partnership was dissolved in 1911 and the business was carried on by Mr GH Miller as GH Miller Grocer and Provision Merchant, before returning to the original moniker, the Post Office Store. Mr Miller continued in the business, also called Miller’s, until 1937. It finally passed out of the Miller family when sold to Mr EJ Westwood.
Methodist services began in Palmerston North in 1871, with the first church built in Broad Street (later Broadway Avenue) in 1872. Due to congregational growth, a second church was established in Cuba Street (corner of Domain Street) in 1890, with services commencing in 1891.
Once complete, it was discovered that the church building was actually encroaching on adjoining Cuba Street sections. With removal unpractical, congregants had the unexpected expense of purchasing more property. The church was identified by several names, Wesleyan Church, Methodist Church, and Cuba Street Church. It underwent renovations in 1903, and in 1910, bursting at the seams, a kindergarten was built at the rear of the church, on the adjoining Domain Street section, to accommodate a roll of 120 infants.
With their building fund containing enough money in 1922, planning began for a new church on the site of the present structure. The architect, Mr Oscar Albert Jorgensen, designed a building that would seat 430 people. In 1924 the old church was completely remodelled, and the new brick church built. The foundation stone of, the Trinity Methodist Church was laid in March and the opening was celebrated in July.
From 1895 the Oddfellows’ Hall operated at 188 Cuba Street, between David and Andrew Young Streets. The Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows was a mutual aid organisation. Their lodge rooms were used by various Manawatū groups such as: Oroua Lodge, UAOD; Palmerston Dramatic Society; Loyal Manawatū Lodge IOOF, MU; and Lodge of Druids. Alterations and additions were made in 1905 and dances began occurring regularly in the hall. Further alterations were made five years later. This was the interior in the 1920s.
It was in September of 1884 that working men of Palmerston North first met with the intention of forming a Working Men’s Club. The clubs had spread from the industrial areas of England since the mid-1800s. They were aimed at the self-improvement of working men, through education and recreation. One of the attractions was that this was an alternative to the heavy drinking pub environment.
It was almost four years later that the Colonial Secretary officially granted a charter to Palmerston Working Men’s Club. Mr HT Akers formerly of Club Hotel Church Street east, was made manager. The club officially opened in August, with subscribers of the Public Library donating seven hundred books to the endeavour. By the end of August, the club had a roll of 160 members.
This first premises on Rangitikei Street was sold in February of 1889. In March it reopened as the Christchurch Boarding House, Miss McCarthy proprietess. The Working Men’s Club moved to a two-storey building on Cuba Street. In 1900 additions and alterations were made to the building. Mr Robert Edwards, former mayor of Palmerston North (1892-1893), was the architect.
By December 1902, club members agreed on purchasing a new site in Cuba Street, almost directly opposite their current clubrooms for a new purpose-built structure. In October of 1904 the new Working Men’s Club was completed, based on plans by architect, Mr Ernest Larcomb.
In March of 1905 Mr TP Holland, of Bunnythorpe, purchased the lease of the old Working Men’s Club in Cuba Street from Mr E Stevenson. Just five months later, in August of 1905, the building was almost destroyed by fire.
By 1912 the club had a roll close to 1,000 members and was seeking sites for addition accommodation. The solution came in purchasing the land immediately adjoining the club buildings, sections belonging to Mrs Jones. That then allowed frontages on Cuba and Taonui Streets, the address being 233-239 Cuba Street. Mr OA Jorgensen, architect, designed a brick building three times as large as the present accommodations. However, the war period intervened, and the new building was delayed.
In 1927 building commenced based on the design of Mr Ernst Vilhelm West. His father, Mr Ludolph Georg West, had been a member of the club. In August of 1928, the new club, now renamed the Cosmopolitan Club, was officially opened by Mr James Alfred Nash MP. Built by Mr DP Tortonson, the two-storied brick building included a frontage of four shops on Cuba Street.
The club moved from the building in 1989 and it was sold the following year.
Cuba street was home to several long-term boarding houses.
The Canterbury Boarding house was operating at 80 Cuba Street from 1891. It was situated opposite George Street between Lombard and Taonui Streets. Mrs Rickleben was the proprietress until c. 1901 when Canterbury House passed into the hands of Mrs Bresneham. It was advertised to let in 1902, and later that year reopened as Mrs John Rea’s Avondale House. Mr and Mrs J Rea fully renovated the boarding house in 1903 and again in 1905. It then appears to have been sold to Mr or Mrs Hollis. By 1911 advertisements for Mrs Barnett’s Avondale House appeared in local newspapers. It continued running until at least 1926 and was also called Avondale Private Hotel and Avondale Boardinghouse.
When Mrs Elizabeth Rea and Mr John Rea sold Avondale House, they opened the Temperance Hotel in Cuba Street. It was newly renovated in 1907. By 1917 it had become Barnett’s Temperance Hotel.
In 1905 Mrs Williamsen was running the Premier Dining Rooms, with accommodation, on the corner of Cuba and Andrew Young Streets. It soon became known as the Premier Boarding House. In 1906 Mrs Williamsen sold the contents of the house and let the property to Mrs Wiltshire. In 1906 Mrs Wiltshire renamed the business London House. Late that year she sold the contents and Mrs Alexander appears to have briefly picked up the lease. By September 1907 the lease of London House had passed on to Mr H William. He operated London House until 1909 when Mrs Williamsen once again took over. She resumed trade as Victoria Private Hotel and continued until poor health prompted its sale in 1914.
In June of 1914 the Misses McCullough had purchased the property and renamed it Victoria Boarding House. They ran the boarding house for the next eight years, selling privately in 1922. By 1924 it was known as Victoria House. In December of 1930 Mrs L Parker was the proprietress. She advertised it for let in 1932.
By 1933 Victoria House was under the management of Mrs H Morris. Later that year it changed hands, and new proprietor Mr C Morgan, completed a repainting and refurbishment. A name change also occurred, Selwyn House. In 1934 Mrs H Morgan extended accommodation options to include furnished and unfurnished flats in Selwyn House and Grosvenor Private Hotel. By 1935 the name had reverted to Selwyn House. It appears to have remained in the ownership of the Morgan’s until May of 1942, when local newspapers reflect the property was for let or lease.
In May of 1908 Excelsior House opened on the corner of Cuba and Waldegrave Streets, adjoining the A&P grounds. Mr Charles Hogg was the proprietor. By 1910 Excelsior House had changed hands and Mrs McLean was the proprietress. It appears to have come under new management in 1924 and again in 1940. In 1940 Excelsior House, at 107 Cuba Street, was available for gentlemen boarders, and in 1941 there were vacancies for pensioners.
In February 1900, Mr Arthur Edward Clausen, a well-known Danish settler, commenced business as a grocer and ironmonger in a new premises on Cuba Street. Named the People’s Cash Store, AE Clausen Grocery, Crockery and Ironmongery, it was situated near Lombard Street. The business grew rapidly, and Mr Clausen made extensive alterations in 1901 – partly to accommodate the store’s large assortment of china, glassware and crockery. Extensive alterations were again made in 1903. In late 1904 the name was shortened to The Cash Store when it was taken over by Mr H Jackson. By March of 1905 it was also known as Mr H Jackson Cash Grocer, The Cash Store, and the Cuba Street Grocer. In April of 1907, Mr James Miller purchased the store and it became the Beehive Store. Approximately eighteen months later, Mr WJ Horn became proprietor of this general grocery business.
The Cuba Street Dairy, next door, ran from c. 1902 to c. 1911, with multiple owners and titles.
Meanwhile, Mr Clausen continued at a different site in Cuba Street as AE Clausen, Direct Importer, concentrating on the crockery and glassware side of the business. Eventually the store became known as AE Clausen Crockery and Glassware Merchant. In June 1905 he sold the lease and opened a crockery arcade in Te Marae o Hine the Square on the cusp of Coleman Place (later Coleman Mall). In November of 1908, the Manawatū Times noted that the growth of his business was prompting an extension through rear of the premises back on to Cuba Street. It is unclear whether this eventuated. Mr Arthur Edward Clausen ran the crockery arcade in the Te Marae o Hine the Square until his death in 1923.
In 1901, Messrs Brading & Ryan opened the Cuba Street Butchery and on sold to Messrs Havill Bros. later that year. By 1904 the business, on the corner of Cuba and Lombard Streets was owned by Mr George Cotton. He sold it to Mr P O’Connor in 1906. Within a year a partnership was announced – Mr P O’Connor and Mr H Couper, trading as O’Connor & Couper and providing specialty orders and delivery. In January of 1908 the partnership dissolved, and the business was carried on by Mr H Couper. He renamed the business, the Cuba Street Cash Butchery, and worked there for over a decade. Mr Couper gave the business up in 1920 to move to Auckland with his wife.
In 1901 Buick & Young, Printers, commenced business from the Elizabeth Buildings, Cuba Street. In February of 1905 they started a stationers’ shop in connection with their business, also on Cuba Street. By August of 1905 Messrs Buick and Young further extended, in opening a law and commercial stationers’ shop in the Bett and Monrad buildings. In 1912 Mr TL Buick left the business. Mr Henry Llewellyn Young disposed of the stationery business, concentrating on printing and bookbinding at the original plant, which had seen considerable additions. New premises were built in Broadway Avenue in 1920.
In June 1903, Mr Hugh McCarty, late of WT Wood’s, opened a general blacksmith opposite Clausen’s Grocery Store. This was taken over by his brother Mr John “Jack” William McCarty in partnership with Mr Yardley in 1906. By 1907, the partnership had dissolved. The business became known as J McCarty Horse Shoer and General Blacksmith. In 1913 Mr JW McCarty announced he would now take on horse dental work. He renamed the business JW McCarty Blacksmith and Farrier.
In 1917 Mr J McCarty was riding a motorcycle when he was hit by a train. It was a fatal accident. The following year, Mr H McCarty reopened the business of his late brother, taking on horse shoeing and general smith work.
In August of 1903 Miss Watson opened the Kia Ora Tea Rooms, also selling confectioner’s small goods. It was situated in the Beattie & Lang Building, opposite Buick & Young’s. The rooms were enlarged in 1907 to allow hot dinners to be served in a dining room downstairs and fish luncheons to be served in a grill room upstairs. Miss Watson’s tea rooms were advertised in local newspapers until 1911. Her main competition over the period appears to have been Mr Walter Cotton, who opened the Royal Café in 1905. As a pastry cook and confectioner, he also offered catering and delivery services. The Royal Café closed in 1909.
From April 1904, next door to Avondale House on Cuba Street, was a laundry run by James Quan Lee (also known as Jim Quong Lee). In November of 1904, Sam Lee & Co took over the laundry business. Fifteen years later Sam Lee’s Laundry moved to new premises, 104 Cuba Street, next to Hopwood’s and opposite the Working Men’s Club. In February of 1924, a massive fire destroyed four shops, and gutted Mr Lee’s Laundry (also his residence). The Universal Supply grocery store, next to Mr Lee’s, was extensively damaged.
In 1904, Mr Herbert John Woodfield, purchased and built on a site in Cuba Street to extend his George Street livery business. This new venue wasn’t without problems. In January 1908, he was fined for driving 26 horses loosely along Cuba Street. Just two months later he was further charged with allowing nine horses to stray without guidance. These were the types of incidences you would expect to come to the attention of the Inspector of Public Nuisances. To find out more, read this Back Issues article by Margaret Tennant. By 1922 the livery had evolved into Woodfield’s Motor Garage. The garage moved to Beresford Street in 1928.
From August of 1905 to April of 1927 the Manawatu Auctioneering Company operated from 1 Cuba Street (corner of Rangitikei Street). It changed hands in those early years from Mr Henry S Munro to Messrs AE Mansford and AG Wallace. However, by 1907, when the company sold to Messrs JR Graham and JS Munro, the business remained with them. The company was recognised under a number of names: M.A.C., Manawatu Auction Mart, City Auction Mart, The Exchange Rooms, Exchange Salerooms, Auction Rooms and People’s Popular Auction Mart. In April of 1927 the Manawatu Auctioneering Company moved to George Street, next to the De Luxe Theatre, and occupied premises previously owned by Central Auctioneering Co.
In 1880, Mr Thomas Tozer Kerslake opened the Temple of Fashion. It was situated where Broad Street (later Broadway Avenue) met Coleman Place. Mr TT Kerslake acquired the freehold of the property through to Cuba Street.
In 1893 he sold his store and went to work for the Manawatū Farmers’ Co-operative Association (later the United Farmers’ Co-operative Association). There he worked in their tailoring department, as cutter and manager, for some years. Around 1898 he became manager of the tailoring department at Victoria House. He resigned in 1904 to make a nine-month tour of England and the United States.
On his return Mr Kerslake set up in temporary premises, as a gentlemen’s tailor. Meanwhile a building was commissioned by Mrs Harriet Kerslake on the couple’s Cuba Street property for her husband’s business. Built in 1905 by Mr A France, it later became known as the Kerslake Building.
In January of 1906 Mr T Kerslake, Gentlemen’s Tailor, moved to the Kerslake Building, opposite the Working Men’s Club. In November of 1910, Mr CH Usmar, a tailor formerly operating from Main Street, joined the business. It became Kerslake & Usmar six months later, allowing Mr Kerslake to retire. The store ran until 1918, when Mr Kerslake advertised it for let.
While the Palmerston North Technical School was in Cuba Street for a short duration, 1907 to 1909, it is noteworthy as the first time classes operated from a single location.
A technical school had been requested as early as 1898, when Mr WH Collingwood, secretary to the combined Palmerston North School committees, asked for the support of surrounding school committees in raising money towards a technical school based in Palmerston North.
Technical classes were officially conducted in Palmerston North from 1902, under the control of the Wanganui Education Board. Teachers and students met in various places as availability allowed. Technical classes experienced a period of stasis in 1905 with a roll of only 33 students. The High School Board took oversight from 1906 and, with the help of their Technical Committee, were able to revitalise the movement.
Palmerston North Technical School, in a central location, was officially established in 1907 under the direction of Mr Frank Foote. In April, he started the school in four small upstairs rooms in the Bett & Monrad Buildings. The buildings were situated between the Colonial Buildings (owned by Messrs Rutherford & Bett) and the Working Men’s Club. Designed by architect, Mr E Larcomb they had opened two years prior. Mr Francis “Frank” Dudley Opie was appointed director of the Technical School in December 1907. The school experienced increasing enrolments and solid attendance.
With the addition of new courses such as: elocution, wool-classing, singing, motor mechanics, and commercial correspondence, it was clear the now crowded school needed a new site from which to provide classes. In September 1908 plans for a building of its own were displayed to public at a school art exhibition. Fund raising and searching for a suitable site ensued.
The corner of Princess and King Streets was where building commenced in 1909. To ease space constraints on Cuba Street classes, the newly completed plumbing room and engineering shop opened in June 1909. The Palmerston North Technical School was finished and officially opened in September 1909 with a roll of over 600 students. The remaining students moved in October.
The Employers’ Association offices operated for a period in Cuba Street. Secretary, Mr W McKenzie, ran the office from c. 1909. He was still the secretary when they moved to the Commerce Building in Broadway Avenue in 1925.
A bucket brigade started as Palmerston North’s first fire-fighters in 1883. In 1887, a volunteer fire brigade was formed and housed in a wooden building in Coleman Place. In 1888, a Fire Brigade Station, opened in Terrace End at 224 Main Street east. The Terrace End brigade ran until 1936.
Meanwhile the Coleman Place station remained in use until 1910 when the Central Fire Station opened in Cuba Street, next to the Woodfield Stables. The foundation stone had been laid in March of that year by Mr Edward John Armstrong, chairman of the Fire Board. By August the Fire Brigade was in possession of the building designed by Mr LG West and erected by Mr CW Blackbourn. Comprised of two storeys, the ground floor housed the enquiry office, engine room, horse stalls (until horses were superseded by motor engines in 1913), a kitchen and two bedrooms for single men. Upstairs was the superintendent and foreman’s quarters, as well as the married men’s quarters and a social hall. In 1914 tenders were invited for additions and alterations to the station.
By 1925, running out of space, a tender was accepted for a new fire station to be built in Cuba Street on a vacant section more-or-less opposite the end of Campbell Street. Messrs Trevor Bros. were the builders and Messrs LG West & Sons, the architects. The new Central Fire Station opened 19th July 1926. Additions to the living quarters were made in 1938. It remained in Cuba Street until 1977 when a new station opened in Cook Street.
In 1940, the 28th Māori Battalion trained at the Palmerston North Showgrounds. To learn more about their time in Palmerston North, read this Memory Lane article by Tina White.
In 1964, Te Rau O Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall was opened at 138 Cuba Street. The soldiers were regarded highly by Palmerstonians and remembered for their stay in the city. The hall was a national memorial and emblem of gratitude to the men of the 28th Māori Battalion, six hundred and thirty-nine of whom lost their lives in the Second World War. The design included carvings on the exterior honouring different iwi, tukutuku panels inside, and kowhaiwhai on the ceiling beams.
Held in the ownership of the Raukawa District Māori Council, the hall was a memorial, a guesthouse for visiting families of veterans, and a community centre. To learn more about the hall and its significance, listen to this brief history from Major George Kereama.
For almost fifteen years it was used for functions and community initiatives. Then from 1978, facing financial pressures, the hall was leased to an individual tenant, Fishbowl Youth Trust. This ended in 1982 when the Fishbowl Trust was dissolved. From 1983 the hall was leased to a succession of restaurants and nightclubs, who refurbished to purpose.
From June 2001 Te Wānanga O Aotearoa became a long-term tenant and used the Te Rau O Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall for delivering Te Wānaga Rauangi, their fine arts programme. The hall is currently an earthquake risk and cannot be tenanted.
Te Rau O Te Aroha Māori Battalion Hall became a Poppy Place in 2018 and remains an important gathering place for ANZAC Day ceremonies.
In 1981, Cuba Street was the scene of barbed wire, police lines and protesters; when anti-Apartheid activists opposed the Springbok Tour. Look at this Back Issues article by Stephen Berg to find out more.
To learn more about the history of Cuba Street read this lecture by historian, Mr Brian Mather.
Further information