Thames (NZ): Thames remembers the 'Rainbow Warrior'

What do these two have in common - The Karaka Bird Hide and Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior?

  

Left: Boardwalk leading to the Karaka Bird hide, Brown Street Thames. 

Right: The Rainbow Warrior 1985 at Marsden Wharf, Auckland. Source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/nuclear-free-new-zealand/rainbow-warrior

BACKGROUND

The Bird Hide was officially opened 15th November 1993. It came from an idea by Keith Purnell of Thames, as a way of raising the awareness of the community and council towards environmental issues. The dream became a reality with a partnership, and the help of Environment Waikato. This led to plans being submitted for council planning approval, which was duly granted. Along the way members of the Forest and Bird Society became involved, plus members of the public who lent a hand. 

     An initial grant of $9000 was received from the ‘Rainbow Warrior Compensation’ fund. Altogether the costs were estimated at $28,000.  The vision has left a lasting legacy on the foreshore that is visited by people from all around the world.

 

Left: The Small Gauge Railway track loops around the foreshore reserve near the entrance to the Karaka Bird Hide - named after the Karak Creek located to the south.

Right: The view out to the Firth of Thames from one of the viewing windows in the Karaka Bird Hide.

Below: The simple understated sign that signals the entrance to the Bird Hide.

" Karaka Bird Hide

Royal N.Z. Forest and Bird Protection Society with the

Help of generous donations and voluntary labour built this

Walkway and Hide for your enjoyment; Best viewing 2hrs before - 2hrs after H.W."

WHAT CAN YOU SEE?

Well, you 'should' be able to see some information on the Rainbow Warrior that was bombed while anchored on the Auckland waterfront thirty five years ago - 10 July 1985. 

     "A Portuguese crew member, Fernando Pereira, was killed in the explosions. The Rainbow Warrior had been involved in protests over French nuclear testing in the Pacific. French Secret Service (DGSE) agents were sent to prevent it leaving for another protest campaign at Mururoa Atoll." nzhistory.govt.nz

     You 'should' also be able to see an identification panel for the birds that can be viewed from the hide.

     At present these information / identification panels are 'missing,' removed when the hide was painted. It hopefully is a priority to get these panels returned to the hide!

     There is an article in Coromandel Life Spring 2015, that included a photo of the panels, as well as photographs of the birds that could be seen on the firth of Thames.

Source:  Coromandel Life Spring 2015,

New Zealand was awarded compensation from France for the 'bombing', following a United Nations ruling. Money from this compensation was therefore given to contribute towards the construction of the Karaka Bird Hide at Thames,

Further Information:

Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior Educational resources.

Thames (NZ): Lions Club Heritage Sign - PACIFIC HOTEL

There is a new Lions Club Yellow Heritage Sign on the corner of Albert and Brown Streets, on the south-west intersect. The Lions Club have been adding photographs to their signs to help the visitor step back in time and see the 'landmark' as it was decades back.

the Pacific Hotel was grand building, with an entertainment hall on the south side (The Academy of Music). The proprietor for many years was an American Charles Curtis, who diligently celebrated the '4th of July' each year.

'The hotel had a balcony facing the sea - that even graced a visit by His Excellency and Lady
Bowen in January 1870. In 1897 there were 23 accommodation rooms. As the years went on the
hotel went into decline and there had been conduct problems over the years. The foreshore was
so close to the premises that the area was often flooded. In 1874 “The tide came up to the
flooring of the Pacific Hotel; and the passage leading to the front seats of the Academy of Music
was for some time nearly ankle deep.”  Many often wonder why Thames has lost all its grand old buildings, well ‘fire’ was often the answer, as you will read here, numerous hotels ended their days in flames. At 4am 3rd November 1916 the hotel was totally destroyed. Licensee Mr R Price was awoken by an employee to the news that the hotel was on fire! The firebells rang as the Price family and staff escaped the burning building. So fierce was the blaze, that paint on the buildings on opposite corners was blistered (the Wharf Hotel and Albert Bruce’s offices). The fire brigade could merely contain the blaze, and it continued until 6.30am when there was nothing left but the smouldering ruins. The building was owned by Mr Joseph Howard of Auckland. “The fire-proof safe was opened during the forenoon everything it contained, consisting of money, jewellery, and other valuables, was found to be intact.” 

For a few years the hotel traded out of temporary premises in Albert Street. In the Thames Star 20th August 1917, came the news that a past employee of the Pacific Hotel (and the Brian Boru) had been Killed in Action. Private P Clarken had been for some time a porter at the hotel. The hotel debris remained on site for several years until finally the site was cleared in 1920. The land was purchased by the Thames Borough Council and became part of Victoria Park.' Source: Hotels of Thames by A Barker.

VICTORIA PARK Then & Now

ABOVE: Left Side- Victoria Park 1920s. There was a footpath that circled the park with park benches at regular intervals for Thamesites to stop and rest, watch the tennis and the trains going passed. Or maybe wander down to the public swimming pool in the distance (behind the house top left). Right Side- Collage view of the pohutakawa in the park 2018.

BELOW: Victoria Park November 2019.

Closing Comments:
While the park is a lovely yet underutilised reserve, it lacks the formality and cared for look of old. The foreshore path to the right (west), encourages a large number of pedestrians and bikers, the invitation to wander the park grounds would possibly be enhanced if we had paths around the park boundary.

Related article:
Curtis' Wharf, Albert Street.
PS. Did you spot the typo in the sign?

Thames (NZ): Transportation - Plans for getting the railway to The Thames

What an undertaking to get the railway to the town of Thames.

A town that more than most needed a transport alternative. Water transport was great, but being tidal, the estuary restricted the number of sailings per day.

Roading was still basic and subject to problems such as flooding. The number of stage coaches / horses was limited. Trains were to provide a link to the Waikato and Auckland and be able to carry greater numbers of passengers and freight.

The Thames Lions Club Heritage Sign at the Thames Goldfields Mall Carpark

Marking the turning of the 'First Sod' 21 December 1878.

While the turning of the sod was to herald the coming of the railway it would be another twenty years before that happened!

The plans for the 'coming' of the railway are now available to view at Archives New Zealand.

Some of the files are as follows:

• 1882. Waikato and Thames Rly [Railway], Kauaeranga Contract formation and permanent way, drawing No. 1 (sheet 2) plan and section of line, No. 2 plan of pitching, No. 3 cross section cuttings etc standards, No. 4 bridge site, No. 5 to 17 standards, Grahamstown to Kopu 0 miles to 4 miles 40 chains, scale 3 chains and 30 feet to 1 inch, 21 lithographs - Spec [Specification] 9342. Compiled from PWD 8375, 9050

The Bridge Sites (No 4) above.

        Plan No 6 More detail on the Kauaeranga bridge

• 1882. Waikato and Thames Rly [Railway], Hikutaia Section, showing plan of land to be taken by proclamation, at Shortland Wharf Kauaeranga River, W.H. Hales, scale 3 chains to 1 inch, one tracing . The plan shows land required to accommodate the railway line. (snip of plan below)

• Waikato and Thames Rly [Railway], plan showing land handed back to Thames Harbor Board under the special Powers and Contracts Act 1884, at Kauaeranga River 0 acres 1 rood 33 perches, scale 3 chains to 1 inch, one tracing

Railway and general researchers should all find something of interest in these plans. 

For instance we get to see the streets as they were in the 1880s. Eyre Street named for the road now known as Queen Street.  

We also can see the foreshore line and start to realise just how much land has been slowly reclaimed, and understand the background behind the threats of sea level changes.

Well all the plans / modifications worked! and The Thames-Auckland Railway (Thames Branch) was opened 19 December 1898. The photograph below showing the train having left the Grahamstown Railway Station, heading along Beach Road to Matatoke (giving the children of Thames a ride).

Showing a train full of children en route for Matatoke on the Thames-Auckland Railway.
Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-18981230-3-3

Thames (NZ): Long Drive Claim

Another gem from the Sir George Grey Collection at Auckland Libraries.

LONG DRIVE CLAIM

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 536-Album-285-8-1

What can you see? A tramline runs across centre of photo, transporting the days finds to the nearest battery no doubt. All looks rudimentary - a work in progress! But take another look and see the hills completely denuded of any growth, as men have hacked at claims in search of traces of gold. Small miners huts dotted over the hills, close to the days work.

Background:
The Long Drive Claim, was south of the Kuranui Creek, not far from the famous Shotover Claim. A group of miners pegged out an eight man's claim from August 1867, one of whom was Alfred Newdick. Good money was made, which led to the floating of the Long Drive Gold Mining Company.

The name of John Watson Walker aka Long Drive Walker became synonymous with the mine, he was the Manager of the mine for many years, and lived in a large house on the Tararu Flat.

Lions Club Heritage Sign, marks the area of the Long Drive Claim.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Alfred Newdick's Memories

Thames (NZ): New Lions Club Heritage sign at the old Courthouse in Queen Street

The Thames Lions Club continue on their major project of upgrading the 'yellow signs' around the town. An enormous task, but a welcome addition - as the new yellow signs also feature a photoboard with more information about the historic item or place. The new sign for the "Old Courthouse" is on the right.

The first Courthouse had been in Grey Street, in the thriving town of Shortland. Then in 1870 the new Government buildings were opened in Grahamstown, in Queen Street, just south of the Albert Street intersect.

The grand building contained the Courthouse, Police Station, and Post & Telegraph Offices. These were busy departments during the Goldfield days. The land was originally leased from property developer Robert Graham. Construction of the building began in 1869, and it opened 1870 at a cost of £3941. Structural alterations were made over the decades, including the Police Station moving north to a purpose built building in 1909.

Just part of the old courthouse remains to this day, along with the later brick Police Station. The current Police Station and Courthouse are located further south, on Queen Street. 
The new snippets on the latest board can be found from various postings on this blog over the past years.

 

The top photograph of the people outside the Post Office that was part of the Government building complex, featured in a post in 2015. (enlargement below)

The lower photograph showed the Thames Post and Telegraph staff outside the building in 1903. This photograph featured in a blog on "Messenger Boys" in September 2016.

Thames (NZ): New Lions Club Heritage Sign at Thames Hospital

The countdown begins for the 150th Commemorations of Thames Hospital. Opened 149 years ago on the 2nd November 1868. To kick things off, the Thames Lions Club have donated a heritage sign, part of their yellow historic signs dotted around Thames.

To keep up-to-date with news as it happens on the commemoration and reunion activities checkout the Hospital 150 facebook page. If you have any photographs please post them. We are still calling for short stories, and will telling you more about an exciting development (fingers crossed) in the next few weeks.

ABOVE: Thames Hospital 'Lions Club Sign' at Mackay Street entrance.

BELOW: Close-up of the sign that highlights the development of the site and hospital.

 

ABOVE: A smaller sign hangs in the verandah area, at the eastern entrance to Thames Hospital, south of the Sperry Lane cafe.

Special thanks to Steve at KMG; Bruce and team at Thames Hospital for getting the signs from design to site!

Thames (NZ): 150 Years ago - GOLD at the THAMES

In the New Zealand Herald Thursday 15 August 1867, the correspondent reported on the dramatic news of a gold find at the Thames. The discovery date was the 10th August 1867, the claim would become known as the Shotover. The lives of the four prospectors - Messrs Cobley, Hunt, White and Clarkson would be changed forever.

The First Photograph of the Shotover taken shortly after the reef was discovered.

Description: Showing workers at the Shotover claim in the Thames goldfields where the first significant amounts of gold were discovered.
Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19170802-34-8

Description: Showing men and women at the Shotover Mine, Kuranui, Thames. "The men photographed here probably include the discoverers of the claim - George Clarkson, W A Hunt, William Cobley and John Ebenezer White".
Source: Alexander Turnbull Library record, reference number: 1/1-003165-G.   

ABOVE: Today the area is marked by a Lions Club Heritage sign at the bottom of a driveway/track that leads to the old Shotover Claim

BELOW: Satellite view of the Kuranui-Eureka Road, sign located at sea-end.

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STOP PRESS

MAJOR ARTICLE & VIDEO IN THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD

Online 10 August 2017

The Treasure Hunt that created overnight Millionaires

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Thames (NZ): Lions Club Historic Sign at "Thames Welcome Sign"

If you have visited Thames you will no doubt have seen the yellow heritage signs that mark old Thames Goldfield Landmarks. Keep an eye out around the town as there are more historic signs being erected.

The latest sign is out by the Sir Keith Park Airfield, attached to the Thames Icon aka the Welcome/Farewell sign.

The top yellow historic sign outlines the history of the Thames Goldfield from 1867. While the new photo board has details of the 'The Thames Icon' construction.
"On August 10th 2005, after 5 years of negotiation, consents, hours of toil by Thames Lions Club and fund raising from many different sources and raising over $15,000 the Stamper Battery Icon was officially declared open by the Mayor of Thames Chris Lux. It was dedicated by Father Peter Head, a member of the Thames Lions Club. The Maoriland Battery (The integral part of that icon on permanent loan from the Prospectors Association)"

Thames (NZ): New heritage sign for the 'Wakatere'

It was with much sadness that Thamesites watched their beloved Wakatere playground ship demolished at the end of 2016. Efforts to save it put aside when it was discovered it contained asbestos.

The Lions club have erected a large memory board to allow the Wakatere to live on at the Porritt Park Children's Playground, Queen Street, Thames. The sign is located north of the toilet block and at the southern end of the new skate park area.

Smaller views of the large sign: 

Special thanks to the Thames Lions Club, for another wonderful heritage sign.
Further information on TCDC development of the playground area at TCDC news.

Thames (NZ): THAMES PLAYGROUND, Queen Street

The Thames Playground, on Queen Street has been around since the mid 1900s (at least). There was talk after World War One that the town should place the Thames Peace Memorial here and establish a Peace Playground. For whatever reason this did not eventuate and the Memorial was placed up on the Waiotahi Spur.

In the 1920s as part of fundraising connected with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of 1927, money was set aside to establish a playground on Queen Street. To area to be known as the Diamond Jubilee Reserve. The Auckland Star, 8 February 1929, reported that work was to finally commence on the playground. Money from the Jubilee had been allocated to other projects leaving 280 Pounds for the playground. The Government were giving a subsidy of 560 Pounds, this left a deficit of 124 Pounds. It was thought that the shortfall could be overcome. With regards to equipment for the playground, many donations had been promised.

 

Above: 1929 Proposed plan for Thames Playground.

Source: C Harrison, TCDC

The 1929 plans above, have items that certainly were at the later playground. The 'large chute'  is probably the large slide; swings and see saw; and merry go-round are all familiar. Interesting that the item 'ocean wave' is mentioned, many of us call it a merry-go-round, but ocean wave would fit with the way it went 'in and out' in a usually circular motion.

The playground was officially opened on Thursday 19 December 1929. It was known as the Diamond Jubilee Children's Playground. Opened by the Mayor Mr W Bongard.

The park must have proved popular, because there was a deputation of church ministers to the Thames Borough Council in January 1930 requesting that the swings and other apparatus be locked up on Sundays. "The council later considered the matter. Members said they considered that the issue lay with the parents and not with the council, which should not exercise jurisdiction on the point raised. There was nothing at the playground that would corrupt a child's morals. It was unanimously resolved that no action be taken." (New Zealand Herald, 24 January 1930)

In the 1940s, Thamesites memories recall the playground on Queen Street, south of Mary Street. The photo below is a 1947 of the Playground and toilet area.

In the 1965 view below, the playground apparatus are all centred around the tree in the centre. Swings, slides, see-saw, roundabout (big and small).

By 25 August 1972 the playground had been redeveloped and the Lions' Club project had built the Lighthouse slide and the Wakatere paddle steamer replica with surrounding paddling pool.

Thames, Thames-Coromandel District. Whites Aviation Ltd :Photographs. Ref: WA-70401-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22728785

Over the years the park has been revitalised and updated many times. Later given the title of Porritt Park - named after Governor-General Sir Arthur Porritt (1967-1972).

Late 1970s-early 1980s view of the Playground - see the large open slide and swings behind the Information Centre building.

Above: 1983 aerial view of the playground.

1980s Postcard gives a 3-in-1 bonus. Porritt Park Playground features in two with the old tunnels, lighthouse and of course the Wakatere. Plus a view of Thames looking south over the town.

Another view. In this you can see the Thames Information Centre is in the Park, later used by Citizens' Advice Bureau. Safety concerns no doubt led tot he demise of the lighthouse and tunnels - there are horror stories about what one would find within both. A large slide had previously been in a more northerly situation at the park.

In later years the boat has been slightly altered and masts removed. It now has the shopping mall as a backdrop. (2012 photos below)

 

 2013 view from Google maps of the Thames Playground, new equipment and fenced for safety.

Full article also in THE TREASURY JOURNAL