Somerfield, New Zealand
Somerfield is a suburb in the south of Christchurch, New Zealand.
Somerfield | |
---|---|
Area | |
• Total | 1.2302 km2 (0.4750 sq mi) |
Population (2013) | |
• Total | 3,660 |
• Density | 3,000/km2 (7,700/sq mi) |
Location
The suburb is nominally bordered by the Heathcote River, Strickland Street, Milton Street and Barrington Street. Somerfield School, Somerfield Park and a small number of shops are located in Somerfield. The suburb is predominantly residential and is known for its wide variety of trees, especially along the Heathcote River.
Etymology
Edward Bishop, an early Mayor of Christchurch, was born at Somerfield House in Maidstone, Kent, England in 1811. He came to Christchurch on the Charlotte Jane with all his siblings, and together with his youngest brother Frederick Augustus Bishop (1818–1894) bought land south of Christchurch at the Heathcote River. They called their farm Somerfield, after their birthplace,[1] and they appear on both the 1853 jury list and electoral roll as living there.[2][3] Somerfield has since been adopted for the name of the suburb in that part of Christchurch.[1] The 17-hectare (42-acre) property was in 1864 owned by Richard Packer,[4] who in turn passed it on to his son Henry William Packer (1831–1890).[1]
References
- Harper, Margaret. "Christchurch Place Names: N-Z" (PDF). Christchurch City Libraries. pp. 59–61. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- "Jury List". Lyttelton Times. III (146). 22 October 1853. p. 4. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- "Electoral Roll for the District of Christchurch". Lyttelton Times. III (132). 16 July 1853. p. 8. Retrieved 27 April 2013.
- "Page 6 Advertisements Column 3". The Press. IV (448). 6 April 1864. p. 6. Retrieved 27 April 2013.