Author Archives: lytteltonwitch

King Street in Sydenham- First mentioned in the Star in 1879 when it is reported that a deputation from Sandridge told a meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council there was a sand hole in King Street 4 feet deep. A small amount of information from the library website. Found the same article about the sand …

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Ikamatua Lane in Sydenham- First appears in street directories in 1977. A small amount of information from the library website. Another street that I didn’t actually walk as it looked like someone’s driveway. The QV website has 16 properties here mostly built in 1970s and 1980s. It has been developed where 171 Southampton St would …

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Gracefield Ave – Formerly Hyndman’s Lane. Named after Peter Hyndman (1843- 1914). Re-named Gracefield Street which was combined with Grace Avenue, named after owner Francis James Grace, to become Gracefield Avenue. Hyndman, a builder, lived at 857 Colombo Street. His property backed on to where the lane was formed. Hyndman’s Lane first appears in 1894 …

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De Courcy Place in Avondale – Named after John De Courcy Hanafin (1920- 2006). Hanafin was a Drainage Board member and Christchurch City councillor 1989-1992. The Christchurch Drainage Board owned an area of lowlying land in Avondale which they filled up with dredgings from the river so the land could be subdivided and built on. …

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Mundys Rd in Dallington- formerly Mundy’s Road Named after James Mundy (1836?-1918). Mundy, a carpenter, lived on Stapletons Road in the early 20th century. Mundy’s Road is first mentioned in The Press in 1912. First appears in street directories in 1914.A small amount of information from the library website and I don’t think that they …

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Kingsbridge Drive and Kingsbridge West in Burwood – Named after the King family who farmed on Travis Road, Burwood. King family members were George Robson King (1868-1945), his wife, Mary Ann “Polly” King, née Stevens, (1874-1958) and their daughter, Alice Maud Mary “Maudie” King (1899-1974). For many years, people passing by on the tram to …

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Rebecca Ave in Burwood – formerly Rebecca Lane. Named after Rebecca Brooker, née Jenner, (1819- 1887). Rebecca Brooker was a missionary nurse in the North Island and wife of Stephen. She was also a signatory to the Treaty of Waitangi. Rebecca Lane first appears in street directories in 1995. Becomes Rebecca Avenue post-1997. A small …

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Brooker Ave in Burwood- Named after the Brooker family, early settlers in New Brighton. There is a bronze plaque set on a large rock at the entrance to the Brooker Reserve in Brooker Avenue commemorating the family. Stephen Brooker (1819- 1899) supposedly gave New Brighton its name. He was a hansom cabdriver in Christchurch. First …

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Istana Place in Burwood – Named in 1997. That was a tiny amount of information from the library website. Found a council / community board entry from 1997 which said 20 sections approved for the cul de sac and applicants submitted name of Istana Place which was accepted. The entry was very brief and no …

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Corserland St in Burwood – Named after Edmund Norcross Corser (1840- 1901). Corser, a farmer, owned large tracts of land some distance east of Bassett Street. Formed post-1997. Information supplied in 2007 by Marie Corser in an interview with Margaret Harper.Norcross St in Burwood- Named after Edmund Norcross Corser (1840- 1901). Corser farmed on the …

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