"Colenso Parade is named from Colenso, a village in Natal where a battle was fought by the British against the Boers in December, 1899. The village itself was named after John William Colenso (1814-1883), mathematical tutor whose arithmetic was familiar to schoolboys in the 'sixties and 'seventies of the nineteenth century. He afterwards became Bishop of Natal, South Africa. Colenso's bold advocacy of the cause of the natives, which was maintained with vigour till his death, earned for him his native name - Usobantu (father of his people)". "Empire Battle Memories" John J Marshall, Belfast Telegraph - Friday 07 March 1941.
"That on the application of the owner, Mr. T. K. Matthews, four new streets on his property situate off Stranmillis Road be named Landseer Street, Elaine Street, Colenso Street, and Pretoria Street". (Minutes, Improvement Committee, 4th April 1900).
"Letter read dated 22nd inst. from Mr. T. A. Fisher on behalf of the owners of property in Colenso Street, asking to have the name of that street changed to Colenso Parade. Resolved – that the application be granted, provided the Cemetery and Parks Committee, who are owners of adjoining property, have no objection". (21st May 1907).