Thames (NZ): Panorama View of Thames pre 1900

Above: Three photographs taken by Burton Bros Studio, New Zealand

Left: Focus is the view from Upper Albert Street.

Centre: Looks south down Pollen Street

Right: South over Queen Street and the Beach.

The photographs are from Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand), and the registration numbers are C.014006, C.014007, and C.014008. We recently looked at C.014008 and managed to find the Hazelbank Hotel.

What we see with these images, (thanks to Tom and others for the clues), is that while photographers over 100 years ago may not have had the fancy cameras of today, they were quite capable of taking images that could be later blended together to make a panorama view.

Panoramic View of Thames - From Burton Bros Studio

Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand)

A Closer Look.
On the far left, the Waiokaraka School can be seen, with the Waiokaraka Flat to the South. Mackay Street leading to the hospital is hardly visible. At least we can see a few livestock grazing on the bare ground. Why is it that Thames scenes always look like a ghost town. Why did they never take photos at a busy time of the day!!!!  The Waiokaraka Flat was a popular sports ground for many decades, although historians such as Toss Hammond recalled it was hard on the knees when tackled! Due to the rocks and other mining debris.

Added 10/6/2019
** *Interesting comments on why scenes look like ghost Towns - it has to do with film exposure times - in the early photos this could be minutes, hence why moving objects will not be seen or merely as a blur. (Thanks Dick for the hint) ***

Above: Waiokaraka Flat. 

Present day this is the area of the Bright Smile Gardens, Mackay Street and Bella Street on the left.

Source: C.014006, Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand)

The central view that looks down Pollen Street, shows a wonderful array of trees - the ones that we were talking about a few weeks back. The section below is the corner of Pollen and Cochrane Streets.

Above: North end of Pollen Street. 

Present day the area to the far left is the Thames Museum. The Grahamstown shops are centre left.

Source: C.014007, Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand)

Another interesting view from the above full photograph shows a school and the Thames Gas Works.

Above: St Thomas Aquinas School (back - north wall), corner Walter & Queen Streets.

Present day the area top left is the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre, and far right is the laundry and gym.

Source: C.014007, Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand)

From the photo on the right of the panorama, stop and take a look at a typical house and plot on the east side of Kirkwood Street, behind the Government buildings.It looks like someone could be working in the garden? The houses are typical of Thames. Notice how close they built to the boundary line. Many of these plots ran through to another street at the back - but whether the plot could be divided and was someone living in the small back sheds, afterall there is a door fronting the road. The larger houses consist of the gable roof. This could have been the original house, then later the lower slanted roof was added on.

Above: Property on Kirkwood Street (between Pollen and Queen Streets)

Source: C.014008, Te Papa Tongarewa (Museum of New Zealand)

Next time you see some photographs by the same photographer, 

check to see whether you can combine them and make a panorama view.

Thames (NZ): Thamesites' 'Memorial for Naturalisation'

There are many new digitised files (relating to Thames) that are available for viewing at Archives New Zealand. A literal goldfield awaits the genealogist and history researcher.

In the past it was necessary to pay for copies of 'Naturalisation' but now many can be viewed and downloaded.

At the search box, for instance enter "Kauaeranga Naturalisation".
The are are seven 'results' - people who were granted naturalisation while living up the Kauaeranga.

• Ivan Nikolas Curin, Kauaeranga - Thames Date (received): 22 June 1906 Subject: Memorial for Naturalisation. Native of Austria.
• Jorgine E [Emile] Lundberg, Kauaeranga, Thames Date: 22 March 1907 Subject: Memorial for Naturalisation. A midwife from Norway.
• George Curin, Kauaeranga Date: 19 May 1908 Subject: Memorial for Naturalisation. A bushman from Austria.
• Stephan Jerkovich, Kauaeranga Date: 11 September 1908 Subject: Memorial for Naturalisation. A Gumdigger originally from Austria.
• Nicholas Fistonich, Kauaeranga Date: 11 September 1908 Subject: Memorial for Naturalisation. A Gumdigger originally from Austria.
• Nicholas Vojkovich, Kauaeranga Date: 11 September 1908 Subject: Memorial for Naturalisation. A Gumdigger originally from Austria.
• Nikola Barbalich, Kauaeranga [Thames] Date: 5 October 1908 Subject: Memorial for Naturalisation. A farmer originally from Austria.

Repeat this process using search words "Thames Naturalisation" and you will find further Memorial statements and documents.

What do the forms look like?

The contents of each file varies, some examples follow. It relates to George Curin and includes his 'Oath of Allegiance', and Application for Naturalisation. Others give details of age, how long in New Zealand, occupation, place of birth and other relevant information.

  

Above the forms were approved by the local Magistrate.

Background Reading

Citizenship in New Zealand. Includes full details on changes to naturalisation over the years.

Thames (NZ): When is a building classified as 'Heritage'?

The Thames Coromandel District Council maintains a plan / register of buildings (and trees) that are considered worthy of being listed as a heritage item. There is a consultation process involved, along with a lot of red tape before an item goes on the heritage register. (see end of article for the items from the Thames Heritage list - Draft 2018 Plan)

It was interesting to read this week of a restoration project launched by the Thames Business Association - beautification of a building labelled "The Foundry". While the sentiments are great in beautifying a building that has long seen better days, to call it a historic or heritage building is a considerable stretch of the imagination!

 

Google maps view of the building. Left from Pollen Street, and Right from Queen Street. The lot is recorded as 904 Queen Street, sadly the TCDC online consents to do not have the records available for the building.

The first that is mentioned of a 'Building' on the land south of old Abraham Street, is in the late 1940s when a textile factory was started and seen as a new and exciting asset for the town.  (photo below) This was north of the Fishing Co-op Factory established and built in 1911.

In the 1946 aerial view below, you can see that there was the bones of a building in place, and that alterations took place. Whether that old building was demolished and the one that stands today was built is not clear, and council records would need to be checked for clarification.

Above: 1946 View of the buildings at the north end of Queen Street.

Above: 1954 View of the Textile factory at the north end of Queen Street.

Below: 1972 View of the building, then used by A & G Price Ltd. 

The company operating in the building in early 1950s, traded as Thames Textiles Ltd. They were a wholesale manufacturer, under the brand name San Jose Sports Wear. The Companies Office has records for the company in the archives - trading from 1949 to 1955. Note there was another clothing factory (apart from Hauraki Clothing / Claxtons) from 1954 to 1969 known as Jamesfield (Thames) Ltd. Does anyone know if they took over the Thames Textiles building?

Over later years, several factories have operated from the site and also the building has been used as residential flats. The ground to the front was a boat sales yard for many years. Of late the building and grounds have become increasingly rundown, so we look forward to seeing the final product once the restoration of this old site is complete - Heritage or not!

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Further Reading
Buildings on the Thames Heritage List
Source: TCDC District Plan

Table 5 - Thames Historic Heritage Items
Item number	Overlay planning map	Historic Heritage item		Location	New Zealand List/Rārangi Kōrero
101	31A		Former John Brown house	750 Tararu Road, Tararu, Thames	Category 1 Item 711
102	31A		Former Thomas Brown house	746 Tararu Road, Tararu, Thames	Category 1 Item 710
103	31A		Former Torrens house	727 Tararu Road, Tararu, Thames	Category 2 Item 709
104	31A		Former St John's Anglican Church	715 Tararu Road, Tararu, Thames	Category 2 Item 723
105	31A		Former Thames North School / Tararu Cultural Centre	600 Tararu Road, Tararu, Thames	Category 1 Item 133
106	31B		Hauraki Prospectors' Association ('Goldmine Experience' complex)	1000 -1004 Queen Street, Thames
107	31B		Former Golden Crown Mine Battery	103 Owen Street, Thames	Category 1 Item 4643
108	31B		A & G Price Foundry	208-210 Beach Road, Thames	Category 1 Item 128
109	31B		World War One Memorial	War Memorial Reserve, 111 Monument Road, Thames	Category 2 Item 4658
110	31B		House	402 Williamson Street, Thames
111	31B		Former Royal Hotel (Corner Williamson and Brown Street, Thames)	103 Williamson Street, Thames (Corner Williamson and Brown Street, Thames)	Category 2 Item 2668
112	31B		Victoria Park Coronation Band Rotunda	Victoria Park, Beach Road, Thames	Category 2 Item 4609
113	31B		South African War Memorial		Category 2 Item 4610
114	31B		Sunkist Hostel (Former Lady Bowen Hotel)	506 Brown Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2667
115	31B		Former Holmes' Wharf Hotel / Park Hotel / Lady Bowen Hotel	501 Brown Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 713
116	31B		Former Crown Hotel / Former Thames Borough Council building	401 Albert Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 4668
117	31B		Albert Street Pumping Station and Works Yard	409 Albert Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 4650
118	31B		Former Miners' Union Hall	727 Queen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 4653
119	31B		Former Police Station	730 Queen Street, Thames
120	31B		Former Courthouse	726 Queen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 4981
121	31B		Levinge type pillar box	Road berm on frontage to 700 Queen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 9791
122	31B		Former Thames School of Mines, Mineral Museum and Fire Bell	101 Cochrane Street, Thames	Category 1 Item 132
123	31B		Former Thames Free Library	The Treasury, 705 Queen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 718
124	31B		House	202 Kirkwood Street, Thames
125	31B		Former Cornwall Arms Hotel	Thames Workingmen's Club, 407 Cochrane Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 702
126	31B		Former Livery Stables	Corner Cochrane and Kirkwood Streets, Thames	Category 2 Item 4624
127	31B		Former Loyal Charles Bruce Lodge of Oddfellows Hall	126 Kirkwood Street, Thames
128	31C		Levinge type pillar box	Footpath on frontage to 711 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 9791
129	31C		Former Corinthian Lodge	133 Martha Street, Thames
130	31C	Historic shops (eastern side of Pollen Street, between Pahau and Cochrane Streets)		770 Pollen Street, Thames
131	31C			758 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2675
132	31C			754 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2678
133			Former Charles Palmer's Sweet Shop	750 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2680
134	31C			742 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2681
135	31C			738 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2679
136	31C			734 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2677
137	31C			728 Pollen Street, Thames
138	31C		Former William Wood's Central Cheap Stores	726 Pollen Street and 113 Martha Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2682
139	31C			724 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2683
140	31C			720 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 5482
141	31C		Former Battson Plumbers Ltd building	714 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2684
142	31C			710 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 5481
143	31C		Former King's Theatre / Embassy Cinema	704 Pollen Street and 103 Martha Street, Thames	Deficient registration Item 2685
144	31C		Junction Hotel	700 Pollen Street and 101 Martha Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 712
145	31C		House	300 Pahau Street, Thames
146	31C		Former Thames-Hauraki Pumphouse and Quadrants / Thames Museum of Technology	212 Bella Street, Thames	Category 1 Item 4682 (quadrants) Item 724 (pumphouse)
147	31C		St James' Union Church and Church Hall	202 Pahau Street, Thames (Corner Pollen and Pahau Streets, Thames)	Category 1 Item 131 (church) Category 2 Item 722 (hall)
148	31C		Former Vicesimus Lush residence / Thames Club	601 Mackay Street, Thames
149	31C		St George's Anglican Church and  St George's Church Hall	602 Mackay Street, Thames (Corner Mackay and Mary Streets, Thames)	Category 1 Item 721 (church)
				604 Mackay Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 2672 (hall)
150	31C		Levinge type pillar box	Footpath on frontage to 580 Pollen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 9791
151	31C		Salutation Hotel	400 Mary Street, Thames
152	31D		Westpac Bank Building / formerly Bank of New South Wales	515 Pollen Street, Thames
153	31D		Former Miller Poulgrain Chambers / former Rural Bank	457 Pollen Street, Thames
154	31D		Halsbury Chambers	433 Pollen Street, Thames
155	31D		Imperial Hotel	476 Pollen Street, Thames (Corner Pollen and Sealey Streets, Thames)
156	31D		Former Lodge Sir Walter Scott No. 15	415 Mackay Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 4652
157	31D		Thames High School (four items) Former Kauaeranga Boys' School building; 1925 addition to 1914 Thames High School building; Belltower from 1914 building; World War One memorial.	300 Sealey Street, Thames
158	31D		House	306 Richmond Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 5384
159	31D		Former Kilgour house	300 Queen Street, Thames
160	31D		Brian Boru Hotel	200 Richmond Street, Thames (Corner of Pollen and Richmond Streets, Thames)	Category 1 Item 129
161	31D		Former Thames Railway Station and Goods Shed	Queen Street, Thames (adjacent to intersection with Willoughby Street)	Category 2 Items 719 (station) and 4646 (shed)
162	31D		Former Stationmaster's house	200 Queen Street, Thames	Category 2 Item 4633
163	31D		Former William Culpitt saddlery and residence	218 Pollen Street, Thames
164	31D		Sisters of St Joseph Convent and Chapel	302 Willoughby Street, Thames
165	31D		Former Butt House	200 Hape Road, Thames
166	31D		Former Methodist Parsonage	200 The Terrace, Thames
167	31D		Shortland Wharf and cargo shed	Adjacent to Jellicoe Crescent (State Highway 25) and Thames Branch Railway Line	Category 2 Item 4672 (wharf)
168	31D		Former Kauaeranga Girls' School / Parawai School / Thames South School belfry	307 Rolleston Street, Thames
169	31D		Former Hogg residence	316 Rolleston Street, Thames
170	31D		Former FS Miller residence, 'Coniston'	201 Heale Street, Thames
171	31D		Former Read residence	305 Banks Street, Thames
172	31D		Former Hetherington residence, 'Thurlston'	300 Banks Street, Thames
173	31E		Koro Koro Villa (former Marshall residence) / Brunton House	210 Parawai Road, Thames	Category 2 Item 706
174	31E		Māori Church of the Holy Trinity	329 Parawai Road, Thames	Category 2 Item 705
175	31L		Old Kopu Bridge	Waihou River, State Highway 25, Kopu	Category 1 Item 4681
176	31L		Captain Cook Monument	23 Kopu Road, Kopu
177	32		Former Kauaeranga Valley School / Kauaeranga Hall	437 Kauaeranga Valley Road, Kauaeranga	Category 2 Item 9278
178	32A		Former Matatoki Dairy factory	9220 Paeroa-Kopu Road, State Highway 26, Matatoki
179	32A		Matatoki Hall	9217 Paeroa-Kopu Road, State Highway 26, Matatoki
180	36C		Puriri Hall	8872 Paeroa-Kopu Road, State Highway 26, Puriri
181	36C		Former shop / residence	8854 Paeroa-Kopu Road, State Highway 26, Puriri
182	36C		Puriri Methodist Church	8848 Paeroa-Kopu Road, State Highway 26, Puriri
183	36D		Former Corbett residence	8088 Paeroa-Kopu Road, State Highway 26, Hikutaia	Category 2 Item 4635
184	36D		Catholic Church of St James and St John	8082 Paeroa-Kopu Road, State Highway 26, Hikutaia
185	36D		St Mary's Anglican Church and memorial gates	8059 Paeroa-Kopu Road, State Highway 26, Hikutaia
186	32		Devcich Farm	764C Kauaeranga Valley Road, Thames	Category 1 Item 9497