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Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 1, Issue 6, March 1964

Nelson Street Names

Nelson Street Names

The progress made in preparing an article on the origin of Nelson street names was given by Mr. Dickinson. He paid tribute to the work done in this connection by the Federation of University Women, in particular Mrs. R. S. Duncan and Miss B. De Butts. Mr. C. I. Kidson, the City Engineer, had been of great assistance, he said. The origin of the names had been compiled from various sources such as old newspaper files, a lithographed map of Nelson printed in 1842, newspaper articles on early Nelson, Broad's Jubilee History of Nelson, and many others, said Mr. Dickinson A framed copy of the lithographed map of Nelson drawn by Mr. Fred Tuckett, the New Zealand Company's surveyor and sold at "The Examiner" office in 1842, had been presented to the Nelson Historical Society by Mr. Kidson and hung on a wall of the room they were now in, he said. It showed a complete map of the city of Nelson in 1842 with streets drawn and named, sections marked, including those which had been bought by settlers, reserves, markets, the extent of water lying in the lower portions of the city at high tide and also interesting names such as. Fish Market, reserve for houses of correction and others that had long since vanished.

According to "The Examiner" a committee met on March 24th, 1842, in the surveyor's office, said Mr. Dickinson. A motion was moved and seconded that "the principle of choosing names with a view to paying compliments to individuals ought to be repudiated". There had evidently been some discussion on it, he said. An amendment, which was carried, read, "The Committee proceed in the first instance to commemorate the career page 9of Nelson and that the succeeding names be at the discretion of the committee."

A second motion which was carried read, "No names be selected which will serve to perpetuate the recollection of Copenhagen". The reluctance to celebrate Nelson's victory over the Danes at Copenhagen left the Nelsonian rather confused, he said. It was not, however, the view of the majority of the committee, as an amendment was promptly moved and seconded that "The reserve for the barracks and parade ground be called "Copenhagen Mount". This was carried by eight votes to three and was a signal victory for those who considered Nelson's action in that battle right. The area which was to be given the name was doubtful for the purposes of record, said Mr. Dickinson. Many names had been suggested to him. It was the opinion of some of its members that it was what is now known as 'The Old Cemetery.'