STREET NAMES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22917, 8 April 1949, Page 4

STREET NAMES

Sir, —I notice from your report that the borough authorities are having some difficulties over the naming of new streets in the. State housing blocks. In the past it certainly appears to have been the practice to use new streets for the purpose of perpetuating the memory of political identities, but I see no reason why this method should always be followed.

There is no doubt that the naming of these thoroughfares is an urgent matter and the present method of referring to certain streets such as 3rd street off Abbott street and new road off Lytton road is both cumbersome and ludicrous.

Might I suggest an alternative to both politicians (dead or alive!) and the poets and musicians suggested by the Mayor. The 2nd New Zealand Division served with distinction under various commanders during the recent war and also won many battle honours. Could not these be drawn on for street names? As a start I suggest the following: Montgomery, Churchill, Roosevelt, Alexander, Wavell, Freyberg, Cassino, Tunis, Tripoli. Galatos, Olympus, Tobruk, Baardia, and Alamein. Perhaps others of your readers will let us have their views on my suggestion. “2nd. N-Z.E.F.” Sir,—The Borough Council appears to be having difficulty in naming new streets. I would inform the Mayor that, the names of the following former Prime Ministers (or Premiers) of New Zealand have not yet been used: Bell, Sewell, Weld, Waterhouse, Pollen, Seddon, Hall-Jones, Ward, Mackenzie, Coates, Bell (Francis), Forbes, Coates, and Savage. When these are used up resort might be had to British Prime Ministers, such as Baldwin, Chamberlain, etc.

As a last resort, before taking to the poets, the names of former Gisborne Mayors might be used, such as Porter, Bennett, Brown, Tucker. Lynsar. Pettie, Kirk, Sherratt, Wildish, and Armstrong. “LIBERAL."