CHANGED NAMES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 125, 31 May 1927, Page 8

CHANGED NAMES

KENT AND CAMBRIDGE

TERRACES

MORE PROTESTS MADE

A protest against the proposed change in the names of Cambridge and Kent terraces has been sent to the Mnyor on behalf of the Wellington Early Settlers' and Historical Association.

The association points out that the names were the first that were given to those two thoroughfares. •"The significance of these names has been made so widely known lately that we need not repeat and would only add that they are one more proof of the loyalty to the Crown and the Boya.l family of the founders of this settlement (the New Zealand Company), our pioneer settlers, and all those associated with them.

"It seems very hard at this stage in the development of Wellington that occasion should arise to warrant this protest. The deeds and aspirations of our pioneers should be held in veneration by all citizens of to-day. To them we are indebted for the country we have to-day. ■ To them we are indebted for the prosperity and development of both our town and country generally, for unless the foundations are truly laid, what structure can withstand the stress of circumstances, and our pioneers well and truly laid the foundations of this country t Therefore, to honour them and the founders of the Port Nicholson settlement, let us preserve anything and everything pertaining to them that reminds ub of them and their deeds, and so keep their memory green. •* , ' "Should this change be allowed to proceed and be taken as a precedent, in a few yearß to come we' should see many of our streetß losing the names so dear to the early settlers. With the many alterations that must be made in the near future, we should see those streets- that were improved and made more worthy of the names they bear (as instanced by Kent and Cambridge terraces) losing their identity by change of designation. We, your Worship, are of opinion that there are too many early settlers and their descendants in Wellington to-day to allow such to happen. On their behalf and that of our pioneers, wo forward this protest for- the consideration of the Bylaws Committee and the City Council." ■ • ■ . ■-.;•■•. ANOTHER OBJECTION. Another objection to the proposed change of name has been made from the Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church by the clerk of the Deacons' Court, Mr. J. S. Durnett, in the following letter to the Town Clerk: — '?By resolution of this' Deacons' Court of the Kent, Terrace , Presbyterian Church, carried at a special meeting of the court called to consider the matter, I am directed, on behalf of that court, to protest in the strongest, possible manner against the proposal of the Wellington City Council to alter the names of Kent terrace and Cambridge terrace.

"Upwards of forty years ago the founders of this church selected the present site, then a vacant section, at the corner of Kent terrace and Pine street, and fixed upon Kent terrace as a suitable name for the church to be located there. Since then this church has built up an honourable record, known not only throughout this Dominion, but in Great Britain and Australia. Take away 'Kent terrace' and our identity is lost.

"There are important historical associations connected with these two names, and although many' of the founders of the church were vitally associated in the early life of Wellington, I do not propose to base my protest upon these grounds. This side of the question has been ably ventilated in the public Press. My grounds of objection are more vital and personal to the interests of tho congregation.

"My court is not aware that in this case the usual procedure has been followed in the change of street names in question, which have existed for nearly ninety years. On previous occasions the council has given public intimation of ita intentions, and fixed a time in which objections could be lodged. It does not appear that this has been done in those cases. It would almost appear as if the councillors had laid themselves open to a charge of hasty and secret procedure.

"I confidently leave the matter in the hands of the present council, believing that they will hesitate to carry into effecj; a proposal so detrimental to a section of the citizens, and so opposed to public sentiment."