Merle Place in Somerfield – Named after Pauline Merle Carter (1915- 2008) Merle Carter was the wife of Maurice Carter, builder and developer. He developed and named this street. Named in 1960.Information supplied in 2008 by Maurice Carter (d. 2011) in an interview with Margaret Harper.
A small amount of information on the library website and nothing that I can add about the name of the street. Not a huge amount of entries on Papers Past. In 1960 it is described as a new street in a subdivision off Lyttelton St. It was frequently in the best street and garden awards in the 1970s. In 1962 the residents requested that they build a fountain in the street and the committee from Council and Drainage Board raised objections. The residents eventually were given approval for the fountain and it is built over the main sewer but the sewer is still accessible. Any issues with the fountain to be the responsibility of the residents.
The 6 houses here were built in the 1960s and the houses didn’t really stand out for me but I did only have eyes for the fountain. I did like the fountain plus the street had a footpath on both sides of the street. I love it when I come across streets like this.
Lytteltonwitch's Walking the streets of Christchurch Project 