When Havelock (later North) was planned in 1859, the Hawke's Bay Provincial Council wanted the town to be settled by a middle class, who would follow agricultural pursuits.
Many of the sections at the 1860 auction were bought by Napier property speculators, but the larger allotments were planted in orchards.
And by the time of this 1920s photo, which is looking from Te Mata Rd towards Te Aute Rd, orcharding was the main occupation.
Of the structures visible in this photograph, only the transformer house, which is now an information centre, designed by James Chapman-Taylor, and the war memorial cenotaph, on the right, remain.
A Nimon's bus can be seen in the picture, and they had their bus depot on the corner of Lucknow and Middle Roads.
