NEW STREET NAMES

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25555, 24 July 1948, Page 2

NEW STREET NAMES

SUGGESTIONS STILL ACCEPTABLE

CHANGES TO BE MADE ON SEPTEMBER 1

Although the Christchurch City Council has provisionally approved a list of about 100 new street names to minimise confusion, further suggestions will still be received. Citizens interested in these changes should write to the Town Clerk’s office withtrj the next feW weeks, as the final list will be confirmed by the. council op August 23 and the new names will come into force on September 1. ■ The street name changes recommended by a joint committee were announced, about two months ago. Organisations represented by the committee included the city, borough, and county councils in. -the Christchurch area, the. Post and Telegraph Department, the Lands Department, and the Fire Brigade, all of whom are keen to eliminate trouble caused by duplicated or similar names. An officer of the City Council said yesterday that many- meetings were held and very careful thought was given to the changes recommended. On publication of the schedule, there was an immediate storm of protest from residents who objected to change in the names of their streets, but in the last few weeks there had been a bigger proportion of. really helpful letters giving informative references for the selection of suitable alternative names, he said. Each day brought some new suggestions, and these would be considered by the special sub-committee. Already some fresh alternative names had. been adopted.

-j Derivation of Names • Research has produced much interesting information about the derivation .of street names in Christchurch. Many residents making suggestions have sought to commemorate well-known citizens. For instance, people in Alexandra terrace. Clifton, objected to the committee’s choice of a new name and proposed Kinsey terrace to commemorate Sir Joseph Kinsey, who lived there for many years.

There were many protests about the proposal to rename Dean street, St. Albans, Primate street, the former .matching Canon, Bishop, and other streets of similar association on an early church property sub-division, but clashing with Deans avenue. It has now been suggested that the name Purchas street be used to commemorate the first Archdeacon Purchas. Church square was to become Addington square as it clashed with Church lane, Merivale; but people in the neighbourhood wished to retain the church association and voted for St. Mary’s square. Ridley square, which was considered years ago for Cathedral square, has now been proposed. as there are several St. Mary’s churches.

When the committee was considering illustrious names, it was found that those of many modern war heroes had been used in new sub-divisions already. There has been a Churchill street for many years. Seamen and Poets New Brighton remembers many famous seamen in its streets, but Nelson street, with Norton street, will now be absorbed in Shaw avenue as it clashes with Nelson street, Riccarton. The poets’ names in Sydenham will not be disturbed. Citizens have pointed out similar names which the committee had overlooked. These include Cornhill and Cornwall streets, and Constance and Conference streets. Cornhill street will now become Allard street, after an early resident, and Constance street will become Stirling street. A number of blind streets will now be named places—for instance, Finlay place instead of Finlay avenue. As the authorities wish to make all changes at the same time, they have asked that any suggestions be made now and not after the final list has been confirmed. Any cases of duplicated or similar names which may cause confusion of addresses on let? ters or in telephone messages about fires, accidents, or other emergencies will be noted.