Open/Close Toolbox
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand License
Format: Image
Linked To
CollectionPlace
Map
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 New Zealand LicenseThis licence lets you remix, tweak, and build upon our work noncommercially and although your new works must also acknowledge us and be noncommercial, you do not have to license the derivative works on the same terms.
Menu
Doyleston - A Rose by any other Name
Description
TitleDoyleston - A Rose by any other Name
DescriptionIn April 1866, John Lambie described his address as Boggy Creek, Leeston, as his property was near Boggy Creek with frontage on the road now called Leeston Road.
When a store and blacksmiths premises developed on John Rennie’s land, the settlement became known as Boggy Creek.
The first mention of Doyleston in the newspapers appeared in May 1868 (The Press) when HT Worsley, the coachman, referred to the “Junction Store, Doyleston”.
A reporter who wrote about the trip from Christchurch to Southbridge (November 1868) described settlements in Irwell, Boggy Creek, Leeston and Southbridge.
By January 1869, however, the correspondent for The Star wrote about a ball which took place at the residence of Mr Doyle in Doyleston. On the same day, The Press described a very numerous party which danced the old year out and the New Year in at Boggy Creek. Unlikely there were two dances.
A person signing himself “Hate Humbug” from Boggy Creek in a letter to the editor of The Press in March 1870 concerning the Doyleston post office wrote that “for the benefit of those who don’t know the run of this locality it might be as well to state that Doyleston in its widest sense is comprised in 20 acres of rural land which includes the residence of Mr Doyle and four others. The rest of the district here abouts has always been and I presume will still be known as the Boggy Creek”.
In 1868 the Leeston post office was in Doyle’s Junction Store and in January 1872, The Press, in Postal Notices, stated that “The office at Boggy Creek, now named Leeston, is altered to Dayleston”. (note the "a")
Even though they kept the same advert running for six months, the inhabitants never changed the spelling of their town’s name.
In a report, October 1874, from the Ellesmere A&P Association’s show there is mention “of the rising village of Leamington, or as it is now called Doyleston”.
In May 1882, there was an announcement that “the post office formerly called Doyleston is now named Cheddar”.
The Government requested a public meeting, August 1882, which heard that a petition was sent to the government asking that Doyleston be changed to Ellesmere.
Simultaneously a counter petition had been set up. The fact the Government had already labelled a railway station in Springs County “Ellesmere” meant that it was not available.
In answer to a letter from the Government, a small group had accepted the name of Cheddar, but now John McLachlan did not think the majority were in favour of Cheddar and neither were they in favour of Doyleston.
There was even a proposal that the railway station be given the original name of Boggy Creek at the meeting that finally decided on Doyleston.
The original settlement of Boggy Creek disappeared, Doyleston prospered, and the latter name persisted.
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date18 April 2019SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoyleston
DescriptionIn April 1866, John Lambie described his address as Boggy Creek, Leeston, as his property was near Boggy Creek with frontage on the road now called Leeston Road. When a store and blacksmiths premises developed on John Rennie’s land, the settlement became known as Boggy Creek.
The first mention of Doyleston in the newspapers appeared in May 1868 (The Press) when HT Worsley, the coachman, referred to the “Junction Store, Doyleston”.
A reporter who wrote about the trip from Christchurch to Southbridge (November 1868) described settlements in Irwell, Boggy Creek, Leeston and Southbridge.
By January 1869, however, the correspondent for The Star wrote about a ball which took place at the residence of Mr Doyle in Doyleston. On the same day, The Press described a very numerous party which danced the old year out and the New Year in at Boggy Creek. Unlikely there were two dances.
A person signing himself “Hate Humbug” from Boggy Creek in a letter to the editor of The Press in March 1870 concerning the Doyleston post office wrote that “for the benefit of those who don’t know the run of this locality it might be as well to state that Doyleston in its widest sense is comprised in 20 acres of rural land which includes the residence of Mr Doyle and four others. The rest of the district here abouts has always been and I presume will still be known as the Boggy Creek”.
In 1868 the Leeston post office was in Doyle’s Junction Store and in January 1872, The Press, in Postal Notices, stated that “The office at Boggy Creek, now named Leeston, is altered to Dayleston”. (note the "a")
Even though they kept the same advert running for six months, the inhabitants never changed the spelling of their town’s name.
In a report, October 1874, from the Ellesmere A&P Association’s show there is mention “of the rising village of Leamington, or as it is now called Doyleston”.
In May 1882, there was an announcement that “the post office formerly called Doyleston is now named Cheddar”.
The Government requested a public meeting, August 1882, which heard that a petition was sent to the government asking that Doyleston be changed to Ellesmere.
Simultaneously a counter petition had been set up. The fact the Government had already labelled a railway station in Springs County “Ellesmere” meant that it was not available.
In answer to a letter from the Government, a small group had accepted the name of Cheddar, but now John McLachlan did not think the majority were in favour of Cheddar and neither were they in favour of Doyleston.
There was even a proposal that the railway station be given the original name of Boggy Creek at the meeting that finally decided on Doyleston.
The original settlement of Boggy Creek disappeared, Doyleston prospered, and the latter name persisted.
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date18 April 2019SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoylestonClick on the image to add
a tag or press ESC to cancel
a tag or press ESC to cancel
loading google map....
Doyleston - A Rose by any other Name (18 April 2019). Selwyn Stories, accessed 26/07/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5257