Tay Street

The headline in the Taranaki Daily News on 21 November 1961 read “No Foreign Names for City Streets”. At a meeting the previous evening councillors had discussed an application by Dutch-born Henricus (Harry) Daamen and his business partner William Bounsall to name three streets in their Spotswood subdivision after the daughters of the Dutch monarch, Queen Juliana.

The names suggested were Margriet Street, Irena Street and Beatrix Place. However, Mayor Alfred Honnor felt that it would be a mistake to stray from the use of English and Māori names, stating that “it could lead to quite a bit of trouble” should the Dutch names be approved. Dr Edmund Allen agreed, asserting that names should have a connection with Plymouth or Devon in England.

At the following meeting it was decided that the principal street be named Crownhill Street, the connecting street Melrose Street and the short cul-de-sac Sutton Place, subject to approval by the Taranaki County Council.

The County Council was happy with the first two names, but Sutton Place was declined at the risk of creating confusion with Sutton Road in Ōmata. In February 1962 the New Plymouth City Council Works Committee suggested Tay Street as a compromise and this was duly accepted.

Curiously, given the opinions of the mayor and Dr Allen, Tay Street appears to be named after a river which empties into the Firth of Tay on the east coast of Scotland, south of Dundee. It is the longest river in Scotland and renowned for its salmon fishing. Georgina Ballantine still holds the British record, set on the Tay in 1922, for the heaviest rod-caught salmon – a staggering 64 pounds [29 kgs].

The Tay Rail Bridge, designed by Sir Thomas Bouch, opened in May 1878. Only 18 months later it collapsed as a train passed over, leading to the loss of 75 passengers and crew after the carriages plunged into the icy river. The accident featured in the 1931 movie Hatter’s Castle, based on A.J. Cronin’s novel of the same name.

While Henricus Daamen might have been disappointed that his Dutch heritage was not celebrated in Spotswood, he did at least have the satisfaction of watching the large residential development grow around him from his home in Crownhill Street.

This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.

Postscript:

Following publication, information was provided indicating that Greg Butler was also involved in this Spotswood subdivision. A company, Daamen Butler Limited, was registered in December 1960 and his signature appears on DP9035, along with Henricus (Harry) Daamen and F. Cooper.

Related plans:

Taranaki DP8962 Sheet 1 (1961), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)

Taranaki DP9035 Sheet 1 (1961), ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)