Thames (NZ): 100 years ago - roll on 1920

Introduction

THAMES STAR, 29 DECEMBER 1919

As we near the end of 1919, lets take a moment to look back one hundred years and consider what life was like at The Thames. The Thames Star newspapers at Papers Past, reveal what was happening in our town.

Shop Hours 1919-1920
Shops closed and the people of Thames survived! Thames Bakers (W H Inglis, W Gleeson and W Scott) closed their business for three days over the New Year - while Butchers (A Bateman, H Lowe and W Taylor were closed from January 4-5th.

The Grocers also did not open their doors from Thursday 1st January 1920 to Sunday 4th inclusive, reopening Monday 5th. Namely: Coakley & Co, J H Ensor, J Galloway, W Scott, Wallace & Co, C Whitehead and Wood & Son. These hours appear to represent the majority of the shops in the town.

News at The Thames
An interesting comment was noted in the paper "In spite of the fact that there were a number of Aucklanders here during the holidays the police report that all was quiet, and no burglaries or other amusements of this character have so far come to light."

The First Annual reunion of the High School Old Boys' Association had taken place on the weekend beginning 26th of December. The first annual general meeting was held the following day, and Mr R N Alley was named President.

The war was still fresh in everyone's mind, and messages filled the paper with news from Europe.

The final results for the elections were published in the Thames Star 31 December 1919. The  Thames Electorate was won by Mr T W Rhodes. While the licensing poll went the way of Prohibition. (There had been two major Prohibition  votes during 1919, the cause was only narrowly defeated nationally.) The full results for New Zealand, showed that Prohibition lost by less than 2,000 votes.


What to do on New Years Eve?
There was a dance at the Miners Union Hall, organised by the Thames Branch of the New Zealand Labour Party. Or you could go to the movies at either the Queens or Kings. The Kiwis, the famous entertainment troupe who performed in Europe and England during WWI were the performing at The Kings Theatre at the northern end of Pollen Street.

Wanting to go to Auckland? The Wakatere was departing the wharf at 11.30pm heading to the city and arriving New Years Day.

New Years Day 1920
Nothing to do? White's taxi was running a service to Puru - return fare five shillings.

Venture further afield to Tapu, along the Thames Coast and you were invited to attend a picnic in support of the building of a war memorial - followed by a dance later in the day.

In the Thames Star 3 January 1920, it was reported that the New Year had been well celebrated, especially at the camps along the coast. Large fires had been built on the beaches and people sang to the accompaniment of Kerosene tin drummers! Then on New Years Day, Thamesites descended to the beach for a picnic, a perfect stat to the new year - thankfully the jellyfish numbers had reduced!

Then & Now - 1920 & 2020
The ability to survive the shops being shut for four days is one of the major differences noted. While Thamesites one hundred years ago were also involved in community gatherings to celebrate the New Year. Despite having few personal cars, transport was found to enjoy a picnic down the Thames Coast.

This large snapshot collage of Thames appeared in the Auckland Weekly News 28 October 1920

Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19201028-39-1

Description:

FORMERLY A WELL-KNOWN MINING TOWN, BUT NOW A FLOURISHING CENTRE FOR THE OUTLYING DAIRYING COUNTRY: VIEWS OF THE THAMES AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY. The Thames, situated at the mouth of the Waihou River, on the Firth of Thames, was formerly a prosperous goldmining town. Mining is still carried on, but the present prosperity of the town is due to the dairying industry. The illustrations are 1. Discing on a dairying farm at Matatoki, seven miles south of the town. 2. A thriving industry at the Thames: Fishermen removing the catch from the net. 3. Feeding the pigs on a dairy farm at Matatoki. 4. A comprehensive view of the town of Thames. 5. Landing deep-sea mussels at Shortland Wharf, Thames. 6. A boat with a haul of 600 sacks of deep-sea mussels. There is keen demand for these shellfish, which are esteemed by many as a delicacy. 7. A farming pioneer on the coast road, seven miles north of the town.

Thames (NZ): WWI 100 ROH Commemorations December 1917-2017

During the month of December 1917, 100 years ago, NINE Thames men lost their lives in the Great War. During the month, crosses will be placed by TCDC staff in the Field of Remembrance outside the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre. The photograph below was taken today, the crosses have been put out to remember Alex Hogg and John Lyes who died 3 December 1917.

They were:

3/12/1917 In the Field, France or Belgium; HOGG Alexander; 12/4013; L/Corporal  NZMG No 2 Coy

3/12/1917 In the Field, Belgium; LYES John William; 27921; Private 1st Batt OIR 10th Coy

13/12/1917 In the Field, France; ALLEY Frederick; 25/1196; Rifleman 3rd Batt 3rd NZRB

14/12/1917 In the Field, Belgium; RICE Patrick James; 38071; Private 2nd Batt WIR 17th Coy

15/12/1917 In the Field, Belgium; SERPELL Samuel Llewellyn; 3/2874; Cap NZMC No 3 Coy Fld Amb

20/12/1917 Taihape, New Zealand; STEVENSON Lindsay; 3/819; Sergeant NZMC

c25/12/1917 In the Field, Palestine; MATHESON Harry Mackay; 306; 2nd Lieut Royal Flying Corps

30/12/1917 In the Field, France; MCCLYMONT Frederick George; 4/1369; Lance Corporal  NZETC

31/12/1917 In the Field, Belgium; MURRAY Raika Whakarongatai; 20846; L/Corporal  NZ Maori Batt

Thames (NZ): One hundred years ago - 31 December 1914

What was happening in Thames one hundred years ago?





Death: Jane Blacklock WALTERS (aged 83 years), had died 30 December at her Matatoki residence. Her funeral was taking place on New Years Day afternoon at Tararu Cemetery, Tararu.

 

In Memoriam: Notices inserted for William MARTIN who had passed away 31 December 1912 and Eugene Clinch O'SULLIVAN who had died suddenly at Thames January 1st 1914.

 

Trip to Auckland: If you needed to be in Auckland for New Years Day, there was still room on the Wakatere leaving at 6.30pm.

 

New Years Day Activities: You could take Kerby's Launch from the Shortland Wharf to the Pipiroa Picnic and Sports Day.

 

 Household Hints: One Teaspoon of vinegar, is a substitute for an egg, always make a cake light if made using dripping instead of butter. Make Cabbage digestible, by replacing hot water when half boiled. Always close down the piano at night or on damp days. Open on bright days and let sun shine on ivory keys to stop yellowing.

 

Visitors to Thames: Many people were visiting for the holidays. Mr & Mrs Thomas GILLAN were visiting from Owharoa, where he worked as Manager of the Rising Sun Mine. Mr A J Hartley was visiting from Temuka and inspecting the land on the Hauraki Plains.

 

General News:

• Thames Coast bathers were warned to watch for sharks. A 14 footer had recently been seen on the shoreline. Later in the paper, there was some good news that a couple of smaller sharks had been caught by Mr THORNTON.
• Daniel Doolan had committed suicide at Patetonga, his inquest had just been completed.
• Thames Bakers were asking for prompt payment of accounts due to the rising costs of flour.

War News:  Several pages were dedicated to keeping the reader up-to-date with the war news from Europe.

 

Headlines included: The Germans Repulsed; Austrians Driven Back; and news that the New Zealand Contingent formed in England had arrived in Alexandria.

 

Thames )NZ): One hundred years ago - 23 Dec 1914

One hundred years ago, the people of Thames were busy preparing for Xmas - but this was a new age for many with the war in Europe continuing to escalate. It was reported that Germany had 'called-up' all fit men aged 17 to 45 years of age.

• Mr Bongard the chemist, was selling a tonic that might help Thamesites through the xmas season.
• If you spent more than ten shillings at Hetherington's, you got a free gift for xmas.
• A Court & Son, had special discounts depending how much the customer spent.
• The people of Augustus Street had written to the Thames Borough Council wanting to know when they were getting electricity. Other Borough news - they were to allow the Thames Jockey Club the use of the water cart to keep Parawai Road watered between race days.
• A selection of Thames Hotels were trying to woo the holiday makers, offering them a great stay at their establishment. They included: Mr W Bright at the Royal Hotel; Mr R E Price at the Pacific Hotel; Mr A Kerr at the Wharf Hotel; Mr A Thomas at the Cornwall Arms; and Mr W Canner at the Shortland Hotel.

 

• Banks were to be closed from Xmas Day until and including the 2nd January 1915.
• There had been a fire at the '2 C's Restaurant' owned by Mr Carrington at 1.45pm this afternoon. Damage had also been caused to the adjoining shops of H Lowe (Butcher) and Mr Collins (Confectioner).
• Land Agent T W Newman was selling 56 acres at Turua for 25 Pounds an acre. Or you could have  a large six roomed house in Block 27 for 500 Pounds.

Amongst the news was the amazing discovery of an ex-Thames man, Mr W [Walter] OVEREND. He had found a way to solder aluminium, that people had been trying to discover for the past century!!!

 

Merry Xmas from Thames

Thames (NZ): Melbourne Cup One Hundred Years Ago & Racing at Thames

Horse racing on the Thames Goldfields was an important and well respected pastime come business for many, many years.

For those wanting to know more about the 'sport', the Thames newspapers offer pages of results and related racing news. Even up to the 1950s, pages of the paper are devoted to race results and news from around the district.

Johnny Williams' book " Racing for Gold" gives a full history of racing at The Thames.
An overview of racing at Thames:
-First Thames Race meeting held at Shortland 2 January 1868.
-By mid 1870's racing established, meetings held Parawai and Tararu.
-1901 Thames Jockey Club purchased 50 acres of land from Robert Comer and 43 acres of Native land. Parawai course developed. Track originally left-handed and 6 furlongs. 1926 track altered to a right-handed 7 furlong track.

The Thames Star 4 November 1914, gave the result of the Melbourne Cup that was run Tuesday 3 November 1914. Kingsburgh was first, followed by Sir Alwynton, and Moonbria was third.  The irony that the results fit to the side of the reality of war and the reports that were flooding the paper.

 

Further information:

Check the The Treasury Index for Book references on horses, racing and owners.



Thames (NZ): 100 Years ago - 23 October 1914

What was happening in Thames one hundred years ago? Below is the news that featured in The Thames Star Friday 23 October 1914.

Obituary for Mrs INGLIS

DEATH: Mrs Jane Thorpe INGLIS, relict of the late James Inglis had died the previous day at her home in Cochrane Street, Thames. Jane was 74 years of age and she was buried at Shortland Cemetery, Thames.

 

SHIPPING:
The Wakatere was due to leave at 6pm for Auckland. Or you could catch the Waimarie from Auckland at midnight and go to Kopu, Turua or Paeroa.
 
BUSINESS NOTICES:

Shortland Fish Market had a wide variety of meat for sale – Pig’s Heads 1s 6d each; Pickled Tongues 6d a lb; Cooked Trotters 2d each.

Need some concreting done? Contact L R Gray at the corner of Bowen & Clarence Street.

Need a Happy Home? Coakley’s Groceries is the place to go on the corner of Pollen & Willoughby Streets.

AMUSEMENTS and SPORT:

Thames Bowling Club was holding their opening day the next day at 2.30pm sharp.

ThamesMiners’ Union were holding their annual combined excursion by train to Te Aroha on Monday 26 October. Tickets were Adults 2/6 and Children 1/-. Contact W H Lucas, the secretary for tickets.

Thames Rowing Club had held their AGM the previous evening and Dr Lapraik was elected President. Commodore was Mr A Myers MP.

The St Francis Tennis Club opened the previous day at the Cochrane Street Courts. Rev Father Dignan played the first ball for the season 1914-15.

WAR NEWS:

There was to be a big concert in the King’s Theatre on Tuesday in aid of the Belgian Relief Fund.

Germans expelled.  The Allies expelled 5000 Germans from Bruges…The Germans on Sunday ordered a strong force, mostly youths under 20, to cross the Yser at all costs. They failed in their task and their losses are estimated at nearly ten per cent.

Thames Sewing meetings had started the previous night at St James’ Hall – the object was to make and provide clothes for the poor of England and Belgium.

A large map was published to show operations in France and Belgium.

GENERAL THAMES NEWS:

A serious situation for the Thames Drainage Board. The companies paying for the pumping had written to the board and explained they could no longer pay, hence pumping should stop. The Board agreed that pumping of the deep levels should stop once all machinery had been removed.

Mining News. The Occidental Consolidated was dues to crush some ore, a few dabs of coarse gold were picked out when breaking down the reef this week.

The St James' Church (right) and (left) on Pahau Street, the St James' Hall where the Thames ladies were holding their sewing bee meetings in 1914

 

Thames (NZ); One Hundred Years ago 24 August 2014

In the Thames Star one hundred years ago today - 24 August 1914:

• Death notices for: Louisa Dufty of Parawai and George Ripley of Waihi.

 

• Mr A Williams of Kopu was organising a patriotic concert for Thursday 27 August in the Kopu Hall.
• The weather was cloudy, with the barometer falling. Seas rough and tides high!
• Land agent Mr C D Wright had a centrally located, 11 roomed house for-sale for 500 Pounds
• The Thames Star's War news displayed outside the office had been destroyed overnight. The paper had taken to displaying the latest war news over the weekend to keep the town informed. Someone had deliberately torn down and destroyed the last night's news.
• War news revolved around the fall of Brussels and the large number of German troops entering the area
• Mr Vivian of Mt Pleasant had Cauliflower, Cabbage and onion plants forsale.
• Coad's had a number of items listed to tempt the customer, in their Bookshop at the corner of Pollen and Sealey Streets. Mechanical toys and mechano were proving popular.

 

 

• Hardware merchant Jas RENSHAW was reminding people that this was the time to spray for woolly aphis and scale.
• Additional supplies of coal from the Westport mines, were urgently needed to meet the increasing imperial needs for the war effort.
• The Thames Cricketers Club played the Paeroa Hockey club in a hockey game at Dodd's paddock at Parawai. Thames won eight goals to three.

1907 Thames Hockey Team, who had played Auckland at Remuera in September 1907. Score: Thames 2 Auckland 4.
Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19070912-10-3

Click here  and here for Thames Star reports on above hockey match 

Thames (NZ): 100 years ago - 6th February 1914

Originally I was looking for how the town of Thames remembered the 'signing of the Treaty of Waitangi,' one hundred years ago, but needed to look afar for a mention of the event.

 

In the Fielding Star 6 February 1914 the anniversaries of the day were named: Queen Anne born 1664, Charles II died 1685, Seringapatam besieged 1792, Treaty of Waitangi signed 1840, Lord Monteagle died 1866. The Press 6 February 1914, gave  a summary of the events before and after the signing of the Treaty.

 

Back in Thames, the news of the day was:

Death: Mr John Eden BROWN of Puriri had died the day before at Thames Hospital

 

Electric Light Service: The Thames Borough Council were able to finance Householders for the installation of up to 5 lights

 

Road Sweeper: The local council wanted to buy a road sweeper, it was noted that at times in Pollen Street Manure was blowing everywhere and that this could be a health hazard.

 

Coast Trip: 'Manuhiri' shared his day trip down the Thames Coast to Somebody's Bay (19 miles from Thames), The delights of mussels cooked in a kerosene tin was shared with the reader

 

Queen's Hotel: Was open and offered first class accommodation along with Campbell & Ehrenfried's famous beers

 

Queens Hotel located on the S-E intersect of Queen and Albert Street

 

 

Thames (NZ): 100 years ago 31st December 1913

Wednesday 31st December 1913

100 Years ago:

•  Yesterday, the 30th December 1913, Frederick Bourdot married Sarah Green of Thames
• A year before, William Martin had died and his wife placed an In Memoriam notice in the newspaper
• Lost - a purse with a pound note had been lost by the Cornwall Arms Hotel. Reward offered
• A number of Thamesites had left on the steamer for Auckland, while others were heading to Te Aroha and onto Rotorua
• A mob of 4000 sheep were due in the town from Waihi in the New Year. They had come from Cape Runaway and were being cared for by six men and several dogs
• Excitement in the town as a large number were expecting to go to Pipiroa in the morning (New Years Day), to the annual picnic and sports day held by the Hauraki Plains Settlers Association
• If you needed a new suit or some good bike tyres for the holidays, large advertisements tempted the potential buyer to shop at businesses such as Connor & Glass in Pollen Street

Thames (NZ): One Hundred Years Ago 4th December 2013

On the 4th December 2013, a list of anniversaries was included, I wonder how many will be recognised by the readers of 2013?

 

Other news of the day included:

• The Hamilton show was being held and Mr W G Hall's imported bull called Lord Nelson, took championship honours.
• Mining News: The Waitangi Mine was being worked. A sample taken from one reef showed an assay value of 41s a ton
• School rolls and average attendances for the month were: Waiokaraka School Roll 497 - average attendance 467.7; Parawai School Roll 449 average attendance 434.1 and Tararu School Roll 78 - average attendance 73.1
• Billiard Saloon - Mr Charles Birch had opened a new parlour next to the Exchange Hotel in Shortland. There were six full size Alcocks Tables. There were two private tables available.

Part of a 1947 V C BROWNE photo of the Richmond to Willoughby Street section of Pollen street
The Brian Boru Hotel far left, Coakley's Store on the far right, with the Exchange Hotel in the centre (flat front - no veranda)

Earlier in the year, in February the Auckland Weekly News published a photo reminding people of what the township looked like in the 1860s. The description read: A harbour side view of Thames in the early days: The old mining town in the mid eighteen sixties, as many of those participating in last week's ceremony remember it.

Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19130220-16-1

Thames (NZ): 27th November 1913 (100 years ago)

What was happening in Thames 100 years ago, on the 27th November 1913?

• High Water was at 5.44am and 6.18pm
• E DUNNAGE, opposite the Salvation Army Hall in Pollen Street was advertising a range of Xmas cards and photos
• Children were holding a Demonstration Concert at the Salvation Army Hall at 7.30 pm, admission cost: Adults 6d Children 3d. This was part of the Salvation Army Anniversary Entertainment.
• James Hawkes, carter was at new premises in Brown Street and advertising coal from Huntly, Westport and Waikato
• The Anniversaries for the month included the first vote for women on the 28th November 1893

• New Drill Hall. The Thames High School and the New Zealand Defence Department had reached an agreement over exchange of land, which would mean that a new Drill Hall could be built in Mackay Street. This was just south of the Masonic Hall.
• Weather forecast: Westerly winds strong to gale, rain probable

• KOPU FERRY: the site for the crossing across the Waihou River had finally been decided
• Thames Mining News. The Deep Levels was at 1000 feet, but nothing much was happening and little change in the water coming from the deviation crosscut. The Occidental Consolidated showed some signs of gold in the reef. The New Sylvia reported good volumes of ore with lots of mineralisation. The Moanataiari No 3 level had some good quartz veins.

Kopu Township
Source: Auckland Weekly News 30 th May 1907
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19070530-8-1

Below are photos of the Hon Massey's visit to the Hauraki Plains. He arrived at Thames, went by gig to Kopu, before going by launch to Turua. A full report of his January 1913 visit to the Hauraki Plains is in the Auckland Star 20th January 1913.

Showing two snapshots taken of the Prime Minister while on his visit to the Hauraki Plains, Thames, January 1913
Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19130123-4-2
 
The full description of the above 1913 photo was:
From desolate swamp to arable land: snapshots of the Prime Minister's visit to the Hauraki Plains, Thames District, Auckland. The new style and the old: two snapshots taken last week of the Prime Minister while on his visit to the Hauraki Plains.
(The wharf on the left is likely the Thames/Burke Street Wharf and the boat The Wakatere)

Thames (NZ): 22nd November 1913 (100 Years Ago)

The 22nd November 1913 was a Saturday, here are some snippets from the Thames Star one hundred years ago.

• Coakley's general grocery store, had moved into a new shop at the corner of Pollen and Willoughby Streets.
• Lane's Emulsion was selling for 2/6 and 4/6 a bottle. (A tonic that many of us were brought up on!)
• Weather forecast: warm and humid weather expected, with increasing haze and cloudiness
• Thames Electrical Committee was due to ask for tenders for the supply of light to seven Thames properties
• A public meeting was due to be held at 7.30 pm on Mary Street Corner - on the industrial struggles in New Zealand by the President of the Auckland Watersiders' Union
• Thamesites were being encouraged to get their Christmas Plum Pudding made, a recipe was supplied by Edmonds  Baking Powder.

Christmas Plum Pudding Recipe:

3/4 lb Flour (1 1/2 cups)

2 heaped teaspoons Edmonds' Baking Powder

2 oz Breadcrumbs

1 1/2 lb Suet

2 lbs Raisins, 1 lb Currants

10 oz Sugar

2 oz Almonds, 1 lb Mixed Candied Peel

Salt and Spice to taste

 

Mix above ingredients together

Add 6 Eggs well beaten

And 3/4 pint of Milk

 

Divide in two and boil 8 hours or

Divide in four and boil 6 hours

 

 

Thames (NZ): 6th November 1913 (100 years ago)

One hundred years ago, the paper was full of advertising luring the customer to the delight of summer clothing and shoe requirements. On a sadder note the rumblings of strikes and unrest filled many columns. It was nearly a year since the unrest at Waihi, during the 1912 Miners' Strike.

ANNIVERSARIES of the MONTH:



 

Snippets:

• Health News: The Native Health Nurse reported to the Thames Hospital Board that the all local pahs had been visited and the health of the Maori was good. Pahs visited included: Kerepeehi, Waitoka, Tirihoa, Tui Pa, Parawai, Kopu, Kirikiri, Paeroa and Te Moananui Flat.
• Town Planning: The local Council felt it was time to look at the planning of Thames and sought the help of Mr A M Myers of Auckland. The towns Motto was: FEAR OF NONE, FAVOUR TO NONE, JUSTICE TO ALL.
• Franklin Street Store: Block 27 residents could now obtain the Thames Star from Mrs McLean's shop at the corner of the Terrace and Franklin Street.

Above: View from above the intersection of Sealey and Hill Streets. The Franklin Street Store is marked.

Thames (NZ): 28th Oct 1913 (100 years ago)

A new theme looking at news and events of one hundred year ago.

Snippets from the Thames Star Tuesday 28th October 1913

Bereavement notice: from the family of Mrs Mary O'Brien

Houses for sale: Seven Roomed house, freehold for 250 Pounds

Vegetables for sale: Charles Johnson of Sandes Street (now 103), had Tomato Plants for sale

Wanted: A Smart boy to work at Hetherington's Drapery

Benefit night: Money was raised to help the treatment of Miner's Complaint, a magic performance held at the King's Theatre by Mr McEwan.

Holiday News: Miss Myrtle Trotter had returned to Waiomo after a holiday in the Thames Valley.

Baking: Edmonds were giving away a free cook book to anyone that wrote in!

 

Hotel News: The Cornwall Arms Hotel had a new publican. Mr Samuel Kahn had taken over the hotel after experience at Thames and Auckland. Phone number 98.

 

Below is a photo of the Cornwall Arms Hotel (now the Workingmen's Club, on the corner of Pollen and Cochrane Streets, Thames. This photo was just a few years before Kahn took over, c1907 when C Kasper was in charge.

Photo: Courtesy of the A T Brokenshire Collection at The Treasury