THE TWO PALMERSTONS.

Evening Star, Issue 20655, 1 December 1930, Page 10

THE TWO PALMERSTONS.

Seven months ago Invercargill was declared by proclamation to be a city, having attained a population of 20,000, which is the determining factor where cities in this dominion are concerned. The others, in addition to the four chief centres, are Nelson and Wanganui, the former because of a special provision in the early days and the latter by reason of growth of population. Invercargill’s new status was celebrated at a function last week, when the proclamation conferring the new dignity upon the town was handed over, with duo authority and ceremony, to the mayor, and an interesting sketch of the development and progress that had been made was given by the Minister of Internal Affairs, .founded in 185(3, the name Invercargill was applied to the new settlement by Governor Gore Brown in honour of Captain Cargill, who was then Superintendent of the province. Mr de la Perrelle was not sparing in his praise. “ Truly,” he remarked, “ it lias been said that Southland is the Mecca of the farmer, a wonderland for the tourist, and a paradise for the sportsman.” Certainly the record of this most southerly part of the dominion is one of substantial and solid progress, and the people are entitled to view with satisfaction the honour that has come to the centre. Another town is knocking at the door. This is Palmerston North. Like Invercargill, its rise is duo principally to the agricultural resources of the surrounding district, but the first settlement only dates from 1870. The site was a natural clearing surrounded by dense bush, with apparently no entrance. But the discerning eyes of the first comers saw the possibilities of the place, and in 1877 tho township was incorporated as a borough. It contained 1,200 people. Now the population has reached 20,000, and its designation as the eighth city of tho dominion is presumably merely a matter of form. Opportunity is being taken of tho position to revive an agitation that has been noted from time to time. The Hon. Edward Newman, M.L.C., in a letter to the ‘ Manawatu Evening Standard/ urges that the name of the new city shall be Palmerston. He says: “ Palmerston South could not with any degree of justice object to her northern namesake, having, attained the degree of a city, claiming the prior right to the name of ‘ Palmerston,’ and it would indeed be no hardship that the southern township should assume the permanent designation of Palmerston South.” This seems a most unfair and a quite unreasonable demand. Palmerston is a much older settlement than Palmerston North, and to have the designation of the former changed by legal enactment, as Mr Newman proposes, would bo unjust, and if tho attempt is made it is likely to be strongly resisted. The proper course would be for Palmerston North to seek another name. Why not Manawatu? The Maori name of tho clearing was Papaioeo. That word would certainly be an inconvenient one for a city—both to spell and to speak—but Manawatu is euphonious and appropriate. The duplication of place names in the dominion, which was due to pioneer conditions, has resulted in many awkward complications in postal and other matters. Dunedin, in common with most cities, suffered much from it in the days of the boroughs. Now, however, this inconvenient state of affairs is being gradually remedied. Tho people of Palmerston North can help on'.the good work by an act of magnanimity that will result in another name being selected for their new city.