NAMING OF STREETS.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 February 1918, Page 5

NAMING OF STREETS.

Following instructions at a previous meeting of the Borough Council, the Special Committee appointed went into the question of naming the streets Of the Borough and its report —a somewhat formidable list of names —was submitted to the Council last night. The list contained 21 names, which, with four exceptions, were the Maori names of birds.

Attached to the report was the folt

lowing memo: Your committee • were) of opinion that if streets are named; after individuals, the significance of! such names is soon lost sight of, and that the plan adopted, on the original survey of the town, of naming the streets after native birds should be continued. An exception is made in the case of Ellis Road, which name has been used so universally, and for so long, a time in use that it would be difficult to get any other name adopted, more-over the late Mr. William Ellis was an early seTtTer and a considerable benefactor to the town in its early days #

The Mayor said he was still of opinion that it was desirable to have some definite system in naming the streets. The list by no means exhausted the Maori names. Perhaps some Councillor with a genius for naming streets could improve on those submitted.

Cr. Joblin said he was a bit disappointed; he thought the committee could have done better. The committee had thought fit to retain Ellis Road, which ho quite agreed with. They should certainly name a street after the first Mayor of the Borough. Railway Street was th§ first street after coming off. the strain, and it would be very appropriate to call this Nathan Street, after the first mayor. He moved that Railway Street be struck out and Nathan Street substituted.

Cr. Champion considered it would be fitting and appropriate to name this street after their -first maVor, MA Nathan.

Cr. Wriglitson said he did; not like either names. Streets were rarely named after personages Th recent years but mostly after names and places in ancient history. He did not favour some of the Maori names •submitted; they were too hard to pronounce and still harder to remember. They were .right enough . for Taihape people, "But,'' said Cr. Wriglitson, with a chuckle, "fancy asking city people to' ■say 'lvdkoTiiako Street.' "

' -The Mayor: If you do not 'likef iMaori birds, suggest some others.''' $ 1 Cr.'TurnbiiH was in favoursof giving. j : all the streets Maori names. The Mayor "said the names would be a pu'z'zler 'to some people, and some were not very euphonious, instancing, "Kuaka." Whatever was done should! be according to a plan and be con-i----sistent. The Council should give the s committtee credit for some restraint as i several names submitted were outland-f ish, the pronunciation of which would' take their breath away. ]j

;Cr. Wrigh'tsoh said it was too big a' problem to tackle that night, and suggested referring the matter to the Committee.

Cr. Joblin 's motion was then put and lost, and it was then decided to refer the question to a committee of the whole Council at a special meeting to held on March 4th