McCombs St in Somerfield – Named after Elizabeth Reid McCombs (1873- 1935). Elizabeth McCombs was a socialist, social worker and politician. She was a member of the Christchurch City Council from 1921. Developed in a state housing area in what was Spreydon in 1937. Named in 1937. First appears in street directories in 1940.
A small amount of information from the library website. The library have neglected to mention that she was the first woman MP in New Zealand. McCombs St and the neighbouring Cooke St were developed as State Housing streets at the same time.
Papers Past had lots of death notices and a few birth notices. Several mentions of best street and best garden competitions. In 1951 the tenants in the State Houses were offered the opportunity to buy their houses. The Christchurch City Council opposed this offer claiming that it was against their bylaws. The government overruled the council in this matter and the tenants were able to buy their houses.
All bar two houses on this street were built in the 1930s and there were at least three Art Deco houses. A few show their State House beginnings but many have been modified.
Lytteltonwitch's Walking the streets of Christchurch Project 