Photo of the second Fitzherbert Bridge, built by Fletcher Construction Co. Ltd, that was opened 20 July 1935, by Viscount Galway, Governor General.

The second Fitzherbert Bridge, built by Fletcher Construction Co. Ltd, was opened 20 July 1935, by Viscount Galway, Governor General.

1930s

20,000 residents at the start of the decade, making Palmerston North the 7th city in New Zealand; a depression; an earthquake and a cyclone and a first MP for Palmerston North

1930		Population 20,000
		Government subsidised work schemes for the unemployed commence in City
		Artesian bore sunk in Heretaunga Street to supplement water supply
	4-Jul	Regent Theatre opens
	1-Aug	Palmerston North Gazetted as the 7th City in New Zealand, population had reached 20,000
	17-22 Nov	Informal celebrations of Palmerston North's new City status
	29-Nov	Golden (50th ) Jubilee of Manawatu Standard Newspaper, special issue published
1931		Augustus Edward Mansford elected Mayor
		Leader & Watt, a local electrical contractor & retailer, is founded in a garage at 8 Carroll Street
		Palmerston North Unemployed Workers Movement formed in City to protest Government's handling of unemployment
	3-Feb	Hawkes Bay earthquake, homeless refugees from Napier evacuated to Palmerston North, damage to buildings in City
	3-Mar	Second Radio Station opens, 2ZO, a privately owned station
	30-Apr	Massey Agricultural College Main Science Building officially opened
	5-Dec	Milson Aerodrome opens, a privately owned airfield used by the Manawatu Aero Club, celebrated with an air pageant
1932		Additional artesian bore sunk in Heretaunga Street adjacent to the first to further supplement water supply
1932		June-September Economic Depression at its worst in Palmerston North, over 1500 males registered as unemployed (about 14% of the labour force)
1933		Fitzherbert Bridge over the Manawatu River (the second bridge), construction commences
		Charles Kingsford Smith brings the Southern Cross aircraft to Palmerston North after a second Trans Tasman flight, the aircraft was damaged while taxiing on the Milson runway
		The State Theatre opens (cinema)
1934		YWCA Queen Street Hostel is abandoned
	May	Demonstrations by unemployed over sustenance levels and work camps, Prime Minister Forbes addresses a restless crowd in The Square
	October	London to Melbourne Air Race (20-28 October), Manawatu Aero Club enter an aircraft named 'Manawatu' piloted by McGregor and Walker
1935		Joseph Hodgens elected as MP for Palmerston North
	April	Manawatu Co-operative Society Ltd is founded, later 'Consumers Co-operative Society (Manawatu) Ltd', one of the regions largest retailers, also known as the Co-Op
	20-Jul	Second Fitzherbert Bridge over the Manawatu River opens, replacing the now rotting wooden first bridge, opened by Governor General Lord Galway
	November	Manawatu Co-operative Society opens their first shop, a grocery store on Broadway
	27-Nov	Labour Party wins Palmerston North seat in the general election, Joe Hodgens is the first Labour MP for the City
1936		Population 22202
		Terrace End Fire substation is sold
		The Palace becomes The Mayfair (cinema)
	15-Jan	Union Airways Ltd opens first commercial air service for Palmerston North to Dunedin
	2-Feb	Cyclone hits Manawatu, "The Big Gale" causes considerable damage to buildings and one person is killed
		A third artesian bore is sunk to supplement the water supply, this one is in Vogel Street

1937		The Meteor Theatre opens (cinema)
	June	Milson Aerodrome is purchased by City Council

1938		Savage Crescent state housing precinct commences, this was a 'garden suburb' subdivision by the Labour Government and is now recognised as a heritage area
		The Art Deco T&G Building is constructed in Broadway Avenue, in 1938 this was the tallest building in the City and at £46,000 the most expensive building erected in the City at the time
	3-Aug	Fitzroy Park opens in the former New Zealand Railways gravel pit on Main Street (later renamed Memorial Park)
	10-Oct	Radio Station 2ZA opens, a Government owned commercial station; two privately owned stations are forced to close down
	October	Public Library establishes free service for City users with the abolition of membership subscriptions

1939		Population 23400
	March	The two cannons that had been present in The Square were removed during beautification of the gardens; the cannons were originally part of the Wellington Harbour's coastal defences
	3-Sep	World War Two declared

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.