Author Archives: lytteltonwitch

Devon Street – Named after Devon, a county in south-western England. Mentioned in the source as a private road off Colombo Street South in 1880. Its formation was discussed at a meeting of the Sydenham Borough Council reported in the Star in 1880. Devon Road first appears in street directories in 1887. Becomes Devon Street …

Continue reading “Devon Street in the suburb of Sydenham, Christchurch”

MacGibbon Place – Named after William Smith MacGibbon (1889?-1962). MacGibbon was an accountant and also a city councillor 1935- 1937, 1947-1950, 1953- 1956 and 1958-1962. He stood for mayor in 1950 but was defeated by Robert Mafeking Macfarlane. Named in 1960. A wee bit of information from the library website. This street ran off Manhire …

Continue reading “MacGibbon Place in the suburb of Spreydon, Christchurch”

Picton Ave – Named after Picton, a town in Marlborough. One of a group of streets named after places in central New Zealand. First mentioned in The Press in 1890 when land in the vicinity is advertised for sale. First appears in street directories in 1900. A wee bit of information from the library website. …

Continue reading “Picton Avenue in the suburb of Riccarton, Christchurch”

Puriri Street – Named after the puriri, a New Zealand native tree. Named to commemorate the Deans families’ efforts to conserve the native forest trees in Riccarton. The naming was also designed to showcase the Maori names of trees. Named in 1892 when John Deans (1853-1902) split up 150 acres of the Deans Estate into …

Continue reading “Puriri Street in the suburb of Riccarton, Christchurch”

Nelson Street – Named after the city and province of Nelson. One of a group of streets named after places in central New Zealand. First mentioned in The Press in 1901 in a report of a meeting of the Riccarton Road Board. The surveyor reported on the roads in Hall’s township, and it was decided …

Continue reading “Nelson Street in the suburb of Riccarton, Christchurch”

Long Street in Woolston and there is nothing on the library website for this street. I have searched Papers Past and there are articles mentioning this street as far back as 1915 so it isn’t a new street. The council advised that they would be doing riverbank protection work here and this was in 1930. …

Continue reading “Long Street in the suburb of Woolston, Christchurch”

Cass Street – formerly part of Carlyle Street. Named after Thomas Cass (1817-1895). Cass was one of Captain Thomas’ assistants in the survey of Canterbury prior to the arrival of the First Four Ships. Cass Street first appears in street directories in 1950.A little bit of information from the library website. This is an industrial …

Continue reading “Cass Street in the suburb of Sydenham, Christchurch”

Holmcroft Court – nothing on the library website for this street. With a bit of googling it looks like most of the houses were built in the 1970s so it isn’t a new street. It is a small cul de sac that leads to the Old Stone House. I haven’t been able to find out …

Continue reading “Holmcroft Court in the suburb of Cracroft, Christchurch”

Caro Lane – too new to be on the library website. Found information from council meeting dated 15/04/2018. Caroline (Caro) Murray formally Wilson who is granddaughter of John Wilson Cracroft suggested names for the new subdivision based on her childhood memories. Obviously named after Caro Murray nee Wilson. One house on this lane is half …

Continue reading “Caro Lane in the suburb of Cracroft, Christchurch”

Long Acre Rd – too new to be on the library website. Found information from council meeting dated 15/04/2018. Caroline (Caro) Murray formally Wilson who is granddaughter of John Wilson Cracroft suggested names for the new subdivision based on her childhood memories. Long Acre was the name of the paddock which is now the subdivision. …

Continue reading “Long Acre Road in the suburb of Cracroft, Christchurch”