Journalist Tina White's weekly "Memory Lane" article in the Manawatū Standard. Annie Besant was a charismatic speaker whose 1908 visit sparked local interest in Theosophy. A local branch of the New Zealand Theosophical Society was formed in 1911 and the Theosophical Society Hall in Church Street opened in 1924.
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 Manawatū 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.
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 Manawatū 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.
Includes details of land purchased and land under offer.
This roading plan for the development of Stanley Avenue shows the name Frits Street crossed out and replaced with Russell Street. In response to the First World War, several Palmerston North streets with German-sounding names were renamed.
Layout of the Transit Camp in Hokowhitu, on what became the site of the Palmerston North Teachers College and later Massey University Hokowhitu campus. After WWII there was a shortage of housing in New Zealand, and this camp provided temporary accommodation for families in need. Bathrooms were not a feature of the units and ablution blocks were supplied for use. The aptly named "H" unit was the most common plan used for the housing. The camp ran from about 1946 to 1960.
Proposed layout for part of the Transit Camp in Hokowhitu, on what became the site of the Palmerston North Teachers College and later Massey University Hokowhitu campus. After WWII there was a shortage of housing in New Zealand, and this camp provided temporary accommodation for families in need. Bathrooms were not a feature of the units and ablution blocks were supplied for use. The aptly named "H" unit was the most common plan used for the housing. The camp ran from about 1946 to 1960.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. Rostrata private maternity hospital ushered thousands of Palmerston North babies into the world 1918-1962. Named after a large red gum tree on the site (eucalyptus rostrata), it was situated on a one acre section on the corner of Ruahine and Ferguson Streets. For many years its homely care was a popular maternity option. When Palmerston North Hospital opened its new 40 bed maternity section in March 1962, Rostrata was no longer required. The buildings were sold and converted into flats before being demolished in 1973.
This walking trail brochure was produced in 1993 from information researched by Ian Matheson. It was reprinted in 1996.
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. The history of Zonta Club of Manawatū, established in 1975. Zonta International is a global organisation working to improve the lives of women and girls through service and advocacy on issues that impact them.
Zonta Manawatū has become well established in the Manawatū community with involvement in a wide range of activities, fundraising and awards for women. The club is proud of its history of service and advocacy, which it is determined to continue.
This image was taken for a story that ran in The Manawatu Evening Standard on 02 February 1958, page 6: "About 300 persons travelled by train to Plimmerton today for the City Council picnic. Here is seen a group awaiting the departure of the train."
Local historians weekly "Back Issues" article in the Manawatū Standard. From 1890, Arbor Day in New Zealand was celebrated in the first week of August. Trees would be planted, usually in schools, public places, official parks and gardens. In 1965, twenty Norfolk pines were planted in Aorangi Street, Feilding, to mark the day. Fifteen have survived to date (2025). Arbor Day changed in 1977 to early June to combine with World Environment Day.
The origin of the name, Lombard, is unknown. The street is included and named on James Mitchell’s 1866 Plan of Town and Suburban Lots: Township of Palmerston. James Mitchell was the District Surveyor.
The image is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923 by HR Farquar, Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor.
As one of the city’s oldest, Lombard Street was constructed in two parts. The southern Cuba Street end, D.P.35, section 300, was surveyed in 1875 (although there may have been dwellings there as early as 1872). The northern Featherston Street end, D.P.206, section 303, was surveyed in in 1881.
On January 22, 1881, the first official horse race meeting was held. The course ran from Lombard Street, along Featherston Street, through the Showgrounds, and then Cuba Street. At that stage it was all open ground. Boxing Day race meetings had been occurring in the general area since 1871, on barely cleared bush land.
Section 303 was owned by Mr Joseph Edward Nathan, of Joseph Nathan and Co., owners of the agricultural supply firm that evolved into Glaxo. Sections 300 and 303 were of equal length, and the Borough Council commenced subdivision in 1883.
In December 1930, pioneer Mr WM Anderson, wrote a letter to the editor of Manawatū Standard including past reflections of his time as a tenant and owner on Lombard Street. Rate books show that his landlord Richard Coker had a residence on Lombard Street from 1881, and William Anderson owned a house from 1884 to 1888. Both properties were on the northern end.
With the street belonging to two parties there was some tension between the subdivisions. A high fence was built, blocking those with houses at the northern end from entering town.
As a result, delivery services from butchers, bakers and milkmen, had to forgo the more direct southern route (from Cuba Street) and access their northern customers via Featherston Street.
When a hole was struck through the fence, yet another barrier was raised, a padlocked gate. The padlock was leased to a man who asked sixpence a week from each householder for the privilege of its use. Eventually the fence was cut down on the condition that northern end owners buy a quarter acre section on the southern end as well.
In 1885 Lombard Street was completely formed and metalled. Channels were then made, using a plough and the borough horses. In 1886 a loan was authorised to be raised for the improvement of private streets, Lombard Street being one. Monies were dispersed on a pro rata basis in each ward. Lombard Street was valued at £271.
It was from 1900 to 1910 that the street saw the most progress in a municipal sense. Footpaths were formed, kerbed and gravelled; with regular top-dressing of sand and tar. The drainage scheme was extended to Lombard Street in 1900. Reports of houses with overflowing cesspits in 1904, eventually led to the excavation of sewer pipes in 1906. In 1908, a streetlamp was moved from Featherstone Street (later Featherston Street) to the Lombard Street junction. The following year, residents planted trees along the street.
The next decade was one of up-keep and repairs as required.
In July of 1930, the width of gas mains were increased to improve capacity to cookers and heating units.
Orange Lodge Trustees (a Protestant organisation) purchased property in Lombard Street in 1883-4. The Orange Hall was constructed and became a meeting hub for many groups, organisations, and clubs thereafter. Here is an image of the Promoters and First Officers of Loyal Orange Lodge No. 65, Star of Freedom. The hall was gutted by a fire in 1915 and rebuilt as the Orange Lodge Hall. In 1931 Orange Lodge temporarily housed 54 students from Central School.
A bowling club was established in Palmerston North in 1890. The Lombard Street site was purchased in 1890 by Mr J Walkley and the green established. Play began the following year and Mr Walkley reigned as club president for 12 years. With the club owning property in Lombard and Taonui Streets. The Taonui Street side was developed into a bowling green from 1907. Combined with Lombard Street it amounted to two full sized greens. Mr JA Nash (here bowling with his wife, Elizabeth), was president of the club from 1910 to 1912. By 1925, due to financial restraints, the Lombard Street frontage was sold and a new pavilion built on the Taonui Street side.
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.
The addresses on Lombard Street were renumbered in 1937. See p.159 and p.160 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.
The origin of the name, Campbell, is unknown. The street is included and named on James Mitchell’s 1866 Plan of Town and Suburban Lots: Township of Palmerston. James Mitchell was the District Surveyor.
The street went through in two sections at the same time as Bourke Street, 1875. There is speculation that Mr Campbell may have been a partner of Mr Bourke, a roading contractor. This is not yet substantiated.
There was a Wellington based partnership, Messrs. Alexander Campbell and Daniel Burke, builders, joiners and contractors who worked around the lower North Island from the early 1900s. However, the timing does not match.
The image is a derivative of this Palmerston North Borough map from 1923 by HR Farquar, Civil Engineer and Licensed Surveyor.
The Cuba Street end of Campbell Street, section 304 (a third of the street) was put through in 1875. The Featherston Street end, section 299, followed in 1890. Both sections appear to have been purchased by Mr Arthur William Follett Halcombe, an early settler of Feilding. By 1877-78 Mr John James Waldegrave owned one property on section 299, while there were seven houses and a stable on the Cuba Street end. By 1883-84 the Featherston Street end, section 299, was owned by Mr Benjamin Manson.
October 23, 1880, a special meeting of the Palmerston Borough Council was held to consider reports from the Reserves Committee and sub-committee. The latter presented a “Report of the Division of the Town.” This was a recommendation of general allocation of costs for street clearing and formation, based on the town map.
Councillor Coleman said he would have preferred a breakdown by street in which outlay was expected. His Worship, Mayor James Linton, could not see the necessity, as per the report all the town streets would either be cleared or formed. Councillor Coleman pointed out that there may be streets the sub-committee members were unaware of – Bourke and Campbell Streets for example. The sub-committee affirmed it was unaware of Bourke Street and hadn’t counted Campbell Street, a private street on a piece of land cut up by Mr AWF Halcombe, leading to a large paddock. Councillor Coleman asserted that the latter was on the map and residents on both contributed revenue to the town.
There was discussion around the concern that if the council were to take over and spend money on private streets, they would be springing up all over the place. Councillor Ferguson stated that if Campbell Street was on the map as a public street, then its development was in fact covered by the report. If not, the Council would not be justified in spending money on the street. The report was received and adopted.
In September of 1900, the drainage scheme extended to Campbell Street. The Sanitary Inspector’s report of 1904 concluded that, of fifty-two homes inspected, many sinks and baths were not trapped and did not discharge over gullies. Between December of 1906 and April of 1907, sewerage pipes were laid. From January of 1907 the Sanitary Inspector encouraged residents to connect with the sewerage system and eliminate cesspits. By October 1908 all premises were connected.
In June of 1905, the footpaths on Campbell street were included in the borough improvements programme. Of particular concern, was the path traversed by Campbell Street School students. Due to high use, it became a muddy track in wet weather. In October 1906, the footpath was formed and kerbed on the westside of the street. Further top-dressing of pathways always took precedence directly in front of the school.
In March of 1925 the borough engineer was asked to inspect and report on the condition of Campbell Street. It was in a state of disrepair, with stagnant water accumulating at the Cuba Street End. There was little metal of the old roadway left. As the street was on a bus route, the engineer recommended that the road be scarified, re-metalled and rolled. The reforming and regrading of Campbell Street was completed in November.
Three years later, in December 1928, the residents petitioned that Campbell Street be treated with bitumen. The road was full of potholes and a challenge to vehicles, including buses. A year earlier the cycle track had been eliminated. The work was carried out late 1929.
In July of 1924, the council purchased the old Campbell Street School site. It was sold to them by the Education Department, who reduced the price from £4000 to £2000, due to its planned use as a playground for future generations. It was a popular move with Campbell Street residents and many congratulated the council. Called the Campbell Street Reserve, the belief was that the area just needed levelling to be fit for play.
In December of 1929, however, the council sold the Campbell Street Reserve site to raise money for borough works. Fierce opposition ensued. Ratepayers had not been consulted and the move contradicted the terms of the original sale. As a result, the sale was cancelled, and the deposit refunded. In April of 1930, residents requested that improvements be made to the site, towards construction of a play area. In June the council provided £50 for laying out the play area.
There was a second proposal to expend £650 as part of a scheme to relieve unemployment. Dispersal of monies was a hot topic among councillors, with many opposing expenditures on a playground over much needed borough works. In June, six unemployed men, of two hundred and thirty on the Palmerston North Unemployment Register, commenced work on the Campbell Street Reserve. By December it was largely cleared and fenced and was used by neighbourhood children as a playground. The following year a part-time caretaker was appointed to look after the Campbell Street play area.
It was also in 1930 that the width of gas mains were increased to improve capacity to cookers and heating units.
In October of 1943 there was discussion on the impact to Campbell Street when the Oroua River was in flood. The following month it was decided that a larger concrete culvert would be constructed to help control surface water.
For a comprehensive history of the street's development, businesses, and who lived there, plus the Community Housing Improvement Scheme of the early 1980s, take a look at the lecture notes of historian, Brian Mather, and supplementary material from the Palmerston North Historical Society, circa. 2006.
The notes include a history of Campbell Street School, 1890-1922.
The Church of Christ was first established in Palmerston North in 1905. Meetings were originally held in private residences. In 1913, they established a central meeting place at 100 Campbell Street. Congregation members commenced work on the site of a new church in Botanical Road in 1959.
The former Church of Christ became home to the Savage Club. Beginning as a London gentlemen’s club in 1857, the Savage Club spread throughout the colonies. The Manawatū chapter was founded in 1908 as a literary society and entertainment club. In 2020, it was rebranded as OnStage Manawatū.
The addresses on Campbell Street were renumbered in 1937. See p.45 and p.46 of the Rates Register of Street Numbers - Old and New.
Three medals, Gold, Silver and Bronze, produced for the 1990 Special Olympics held in Palmerston North. The medals were donated to the Palmerston North City Council by the Special Olympics Committee in in gratitude for the council's sponsorship of the event. Each medal features the inscription: "Skill Courage Sharing Joy / New Zealand Special Olympics" (obverse): "National Games" (reverse).
Bulls bridge collapse in 1973
Being a College house border I often walked this street
Palmerston North Boy's High Road Race
