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Council Archives - A Treasure Trove
Manawatu District Council archivist Anna Pitt is keen for district residents
to tap into the "rich history" the Council has stored in its archives.
Mrs Pitt says many people are unaware of the archives and the treasure
trove of history and information stored in them.
"We have information going as far back as 1874 when the Manchester Block
was opened and the Manchester Roads Board was the governing body of the
day," she says.
"The people of the time kept very good records and although some were
destroyed in a fire before the turn of the century we do have a wonderful
resource that people throughout the world can, and do, draw on when writing
their family histories. "Hardly a week goes by when the Council doesn't
receive a letter or phone call from someone asking if we can access information
for them".
The archives are open from 8am to 4pm daily. It is suggested that anyone
wanting assistance should call the council's customers services to arrange
an appointment or public@mdc.govt.nz.
To raise awareness of Manawatu District's history the council recently
gave several district schools copies of 'Pioneering to Prosperity' which the
Feilding Borough Council and Oroua County Council published in 1981 to mark the Manchester Block
Centennial.
The book's author drew his information from the Manchester Roads Board's
second minute book. Mrs Pitt was delighted when two years ago, the original
minute book was handed in to the Feilding District Library.
Copies of the book can be purchased from Council's customer services
desk for $4. Manawatu District Council would be happy to donate copies
to any district school libraries who might want one.
Besides council history, the archives also hold information for a range
of organisations and businesses including churches, schools, families
and individuals.
Manawatu District Council was given sole responsibility for looking
after the district archives following the 1989 amalgamation of the Feilding
Borough and Kiwitea, Oroua, Pohangina and Manawatu county councils.
Mrs Pitt says it is fairly safe to presume that they will remain with
the local authority and that Manawatu District Council will do all it
can to preserve the archives while also making them accessible. |
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