Port Chalmers ma n Les Box points out the section of State Highway 88 between Roseneath and Port Chalmers that he would like to see renamed to honour former mayor John Thorn.
Fifth-generation Port Chalmers resident Les Box spoke to the Chalmers Community Board in November last year to propose renaming the section of SH88, running between Wickliffe Tce in Port Chalmers and District Rd in Roseneath, the ‘‘Sir John Thorn Memorial Drive'', in honour of the late Sir John Thorn, who served as Mayor of Port Chalmers from 1956 until the borough's amalgamation with the DCC in 1989.
Mr Thorn died in September last year at the age of 97.
Mr Box said he wanted the Chalmers Community Board to approach Transit New Zealand via the DCC on the matter but was told to first get the approval of the late Mr Thorn's family and report back to board chairwoman Jan Tucker.
‘‘His family is very supportive of the move to rename the section of the highway,'' Mr Box said.
‘‘I have spoken with them and received their approval and will be presenting that to the board in the hope that they can take things from there; I just wanted to get the ball rolling.''
Mr Box said he wanted the section of highway renamed to honour Mr Thorn's service to the community throughout the years.
‘‘I think he gave a great service to the community.
‘‘He wasn't just the longest-serving mayor in Port Chalmers; he was the longest-serving mayor in New Zealand's history. I think that is quite historical and worthy of some permanent recognition.''
The stretch of SH88 from Roseneath to Port Chalmers is the area that fell under the control of the Port Chalmers Borough Council until 1989 and so was a fitting choice for a name change, Mr Box said.
‘‘With it being a state highway, it is an even more fitting tribute, since Mr Thorn was deputy chairman of the National Roads Board in the 1970s and in reality the de facto chairman,'' he said.
Chalmers Community Board Chairwoman Jan Tucker said she was aware Mr Thorn's family was supportive of the proposal but getting written confirmation of the family's approval was a necessary formality in order to approach Transit New Zealand with the request, which the board would be happy to do.
‘‘We would still have to ascertain what role the DCC would have to play in the process and there would have to be a public notification but I don't see it being too much of a problem.''
