**The Thames School of Mines is hosting several lectures:
There will also be evening presentations on gold field technology, Maori mining on the Thames gold field, and one from the Chief Executive of NZ Historic Places Trust, Bruce Chapman CE NZHPT on "Heritage Matters".
**The Coromandel Heritage Trust is once again holding a lecture series at The Treasury building in Queen Street, Thames. These include:
Monday 11th March 1pm - 2pm 'The Way We Were' - Thames Big Pump: 1872-1895 ('re-opened' 2012)
Historian David Wilton will speak about the Big Pump which was installed on the flat near Moanataiari in 1872. This followed the record production of the Caledonian Mine in 1871 and optimism was high that optputs would be as great at deeper levels. At the time, the pump was reputed to be the largest steam pump in Australasia. It provided services to mines on the flat until it was superceded by an even bigger pump - at Bella St - around 1895. Nearly forgotten for over 100 years, the Big Pump was to make itself known to Thames-ites in 2012, when its shaft collapsed under the main road north of town. This led to an intensive investigation and archaeological analysis of the site, which will be described in the talk.
Tuesday 12th March 1pm - 2pm 'The Way We Were' - Exploring the life of the early settlers at Opito
Local archaeologist Brenda Sewell will speak about early settlers from Polynesia who landed on the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, what they found and how they adapted to a much cooler climate. Excavations at Sarah’s Gully and Opito illustrated the changes that took place through various cultural layers covering about 400 years of prehistory.
Monday 18th March 1pm - 2pm 'The Way We Were' - CSI Thames: Archaeological Detective Work in Shortland
One of the fascinations of the many forensic TV programmes is the piecing together of many different bits of evidence to find out whodunit. Although archaeology doesn’t investigate crime scenes the methods are very similar. Renowned archaeologist Dr Caroline Phillips will explain what the archaeological evidence reveals about Shortland.
Tuesday 19th March 1pm - 2pm 'The Way We Were' - Doing our bit, Hauraki Goldfields 1914-1919
This presentation by Waihi historian Sue Baker Wilson provides a short summary of the formation of the New Zealand Engineers Tunnelling Company (NZETC) and their service on the Western Front. It is also an account of a journey of rediscovery and recognition. In 2012, the first WW1 unit specific overseas pilgrimage was made by Tunnelling Company descendants and supporters. Sue has a long term interest in military history and has constructed what is regarded as New Zealand’s first World War One e-memorial.
If you want to attend any of these lectures 'The Way we Were:
Venue: The Treasury, 705 Queen Street, Thames
Price: $5.00 pp. Limited to 40 per session & available at The Treasury & Thames I-Site
Contact: details available on website
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