Author Archives: lytteltonwitch

Birdwood Avenue – Named after FieldMarshall William Redell Birdwood (1865-1951). Birdwood was the commander of ANZAC forces during the evacuation from Gallipoli in World War I. A “portion of Norwood Avenue” was re-named Birdwood Avenue in 1920.A small amount of information from the library website. Papers Past had information from council meeting about the fact …

Continue reading “Birdwood Avenue in the suburb of Beckenham, Christchurch”

Dundas Street – Taken over by the city council as a public street in 1886. First appears in street directories in 1896 with one resident listed, Mrs Emily Pavey. Not officially recognised as a public street by the Christchurch City Council until 1960. A small amount of information from the library website and I have …

Continue reading “Dundas Street in the Central City, Christchurch”

Beckford Rd – Named after William Beckford (1760-1844). Beckford was an English novelist, bibliophile, traveller, collector, and builder. First mentioned in The Press in 1884. First appears in street directories in 1892. A small amount of information from the library website and it surprised me. I assumed because of being close to Ford Rd and …

Continue reading “Beckford Road in the suburbs of Opawa and St Martins, Christchurch”

Cholmondeley Ave – Formerly Victoria Avenue. Named after HM Queen Victoria (1819- 1901). Re-named Cholmondeley Avenue. Named after the Venerable George James Cholmondeley (1833-1901). Victoria Avenue first appears in street directories in 1905. Re-named Cholmondeley Avenue in 1918 because of duplication of the name Victoria Avenue. Cholmondeley was an archdeacon of Christchurch and the vicar …

Continue reading “Cholmondeley Avenue in the suburb of Opawa, Christchurch”

Coachman Lane and nothing on the library website. I didn’t walk this street and it looked like it was a driveway to one house but going by QV website there are 10 houses here. Most built in 1970s but one was built in 1950. Couldn’t find out how the lane got the name and it …

Continue reading “Coachman Lane in the suburb of Opawa, Christchurch”

Hawford Rd – Named after Hawford, the home there of Dr John Shearing Willis (1807- 1869). Willis emigrated as surgeon-superintendent on the Isabella Hercus in 1851 and took up Rural Section 38, 100 acres on the “River Heathcote, near Christchurch Quay”. He built a house in 1860 which he named Hawford. In 1882 his son, …

Continue reading “Hawford Road in the suburb of Opawa, Christchurch”

Locarno Street – Formerly Church Road. Named because St. Mark’s Anglican Sunday School (later St. Mark’s School) is in this street. Re-named Locarno Street. Named after Locarno in Switzerland. Church Lane first appears in street directories in 1904. Becomes Church Road in 1914. Re-named Locarno Street on 24 May 1926 when 21 streets were re-named. …

Continue reading “Locarno Street in the suburb of Opawa, Christchurch”

Andybrae Lane – – Named by the developer who wished to honour his Scottish origins and also his father. The developer’s father was named Andrew. A private right-of-way, not a legal road. Named in 1993. A reasonable amount of information from the library website and I can add nothing to it. I didn’t actually walk …

Continue reading “Andybrae Lane in the suburb of St Martins, Christchurch”

Reeves Rd – Named after the Honourable William Reeves (1825-1891). Reeves was a politician and the chief proprietor of The Lyttelton Times 1861-1891. He was also a director of the New Zealand Shipping Company and a member of the Legislative Council 1884-1891. He was the father of William Pember Reeves (1857- 1932) and lived at …

Continue reading “Reeves Road in the suburb of Opawa, Christchurch”

Therese Street – First mentioned in The Press in 1927. First appears in street directories in 1930.A small amount of information from the library website and I found the same article from 1927 and it was about laying drains and sewers. In the 1930s there was a plot of land for relief workers in grow …

Continue reading “Therese Street in the suburb of Spreydon, Christchurch”