The first Palmerston North hospital that was opened in 1893

1890s

The Victoria Esplanade and Caccia Birch are planned and developed; also a sewerage system and public hospital

1890		The Public Library Collection is handed over to the Palmerston North Working Men's Club where it is only available to Club Members Longburn Freezing Works opens Sewerage system constructed, sewerage is discharged directly into the Manawatu River Volunteer Fire Brigade builds a small substation in Terrace End 361 acres next to the Manawatu River are set aside for a park and botanic gardens (this later becomes the Victoria Esplanade) Sir James Glenny Wilson elected MP for the newly created Palmerston North electorate Central School moves to Campbell Street 'Craiglockhart', home of Charles Monro, was constructed at Fitzherbert for ₤1054
1891		Population 4,303 (excludes Maori) Railway completed through Manawatu Gorge to Napier Mr Kenneth Wilson's private High School opens
1892		Caccia Birch House constructed for £900 by Jacob Nannestad Robert Edwards (35) elected Mayor, the youngest Mayor elected to the City at that time Craven School opens First Railway Hotel built on the corner of Main and David Streets (replaced 1904)
1893		Frederick Pirani elected as MP for Palmerston North Rangitane Iwi sells the Hokowhitu block Public Hospital opens in a wooden building on what is now Ruahine Street, thanks to significant fundraising Primary School opens in Kelvin Grove College Street Primary School opens William Park elected Mayor Carow Ladies College opens (Mrs Von Blaramberg)
1894		The Public Library book collection is removed from the Palmerston North Working Men's Club and handed over 'in trust' to the Palmerston North Volunteer Fire Brigade which had just opened its members library to public subscribers Palmerston North Working Men's Club premises destroyed by fire, Club moves to Cuba Street Leila Adair, an internationally renowned balloonist, ascends to around 3000 feet from The Square and then parachutes back to earth
1895		William Thomas Wood elected Mayor Manawatu Sports Association Ltd, a private company, is formed and is responsible for the first sports ground on Fitzherbert Avenue Theatre Royal burns down Keeling and Mundy Printers established on Rangitikei Street (later K&M Print)
1896		Population 5,910 (excludes Maori) Robert Edwards, City councillor, introduces rating system based on unimproved value of land, the first borough in the colony to do so (this may have been 1897)
1897		Eleanor Tasker, the first registered nurse in New Zealand and the first nurse at the Palmerston North Hospital, leaves to get married Victoria Esplanade is named
1898		Repairs are made to the Fitzherbert Bridge after two major floods in 5 years
1899		Population 6,200 Local men volunteer to participate in the Boer War in South Afric Henry Haydon elected Mayor
	11 October	Boer war begins

Disclaimer

Most dates are taken from tertiary sources and accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Researchers are strongly advised to check specific dates in other sources to confirm accuracy to their own satisfaction. All corrections or additional information and dates gratefully considered - please contact the Ian Matheson City Archives.