Saxon Street in the suburb of Phillipstown, Christchurch

Saxon Street in Phillipstown – Formerly Strickland Street. Named after Anne Mackie, née Strickland, (1798?-1871), wife of the Rev. Charles Richard Mackie (1798- 1882). Re-named Albert Street. Named after Prince Albert (1819- 1861), consort to Queen Victoria. Re-named Saxon Street. The Rev. Mackie was the founder and first vicar of the Holy Trinity Church at Avonside. He named his house, which he had brought from England, Stricklands, and the small lane that ran from his house through to Cashel Street, Strickland Street. Strickland Street, Cashel Street East, is first mentioned in The Press in 1879 in a birth notice. Strickland Street, in “Gatherer’s Paddock”, is first mentioned in the Star in 1880. First appears in street directories in 1887. Re-named Albert Street in 1891 when residents petitioned the Linwood Town Board asking for the name change. On 24 May 1926 the council proposed changing the names of 29 streets. Albert Street was to have been re-named Dobson Street. A petition was signed by fourteen residents strongly objecting to the change of name. Re-named Saxon Street on 1 September 1948 when 120 streets were re-named.

A reasonable of information from the library website. Took me a wee while reading Papers Past to sort out this street and it wasn’t helped by Mrs Gatherer living at Strickland House. There was a second Strickland House in Worcester Street plus Strickland Street in Spreydon. I have already walked Strickland Street in Spreydon and the name of it has nothing to do with the Linwood / Phillipstown street. The Strickland House in Worcester was a day and boarding school for young ladies in 1966. It had formerly been a female refuge. Charles Mackie put his house Stricklands on the market in 1862 as he was returning to England. Just to be confusing a Miss Gilpin of Strickland House had several ads looking for apprentice dressmakers. Mrs Gatherer also lived at Strickland House and she ran a boarding house. Mystery was solved with the death notice for W Gilpin who was Mrs Gatherer’s brother. In 1883 Mrs Gatherer complained about the council cutting a drain through her property and threatened legal action. In 1884 she was selling building sections. Lots of death notices when it was Strickland Street. In 1901 the Public Trustee was trying to trace John Pain Restell registered owner of a section of land on the street. I couldn’t find the exact of when the street’s name was changed to Albert Street and the earliest mention that I could find was in 1892. When Mrs Gatherer died in 1900 her address was Albert St. In 1926 the council changed the name of the street to Dobson Street but Dobson Street was never used. In June 1948 the council said that the street was to be renamed Fanning Street but then in August 1948 they said that the street will change it’s name to Saxon Street. From 1948 onwards there are a few death notice but the street is becoming more industrial. There is a firewood merchant and Stevenson’s Pie are mentioned frequently. Who remembers Stevenson’s Pies and are they still around. From 1950s onwards it is mostly ads for businesses on Papers Past.

This street is mostly businesses now with one lone cottage from 1890 on the street. Sadly this little cottage isn’t in a great condition but I think it is still being lived in. I think that one business might be a bit lost as they are called Victoria Street Motors. I did like their sign. I am pleased that I walked this street in a weekend as I think that it would be more difficult on a weekday. It was bad enough on a Saturday afternoon dodging all the vehicles parked on the footpath.