Thames (NZ): The John Grigg story continued

The previous post covered the lead up to the 100 year commemoration of John Grigg's death at the Thames. On Saturday 20 June 2020, a few of us took up the open invitation to join the Grigg descendants to celebrate the life of this special Thamesite.

John Grigg and his third wife Mary Jane (Henderson)

M Finlay collection

     We were immediately welcomed by the family group. John Grigg was known as a family man, a christian and he would have been proud to see his descendants gathered at his 'old' town.

     The programme started with morning tea & registration - the morning events taking place at the Baptist Church in Mary Street, the church where John Grigg was a founding member.

My Own New Zealand Home

Following family introductions it was only fitting that the highlight was talking about, then singing Grigg's "My Own New Zealand Home". Well known for decades as the unofficial anthem of New Zealand - in particular the song that was sung in schools and at events in the Upper North Island.

M Finlay collection

Presentations

Various family members gave presentations on John Grigg's life. Noting the newspapers were full of advertisements as John's business developed from furniture importer to his beloved music shop - he even spent time as an undertaker. A prolific writer of original music, a music teacher who taught in the district schools, and was a member / leader of many choirs and musical events. 

     Alastair from Stargazers (at Whitianga) was present and gave an overview of Grigg's involvement in astronomy and his remarkable achievements.

     There are even craters on the far side of the moon, named after Thamesite John Grigg!

Where were Grigg's observatories located?

The question was asked regarding the location of John Grigg's observatories. The first was located in Pollen Street behind his shop / house and the second was at his residence near the corner of Pahau and Queen Streets.

 

     The location of the Grigg's first observatory (built about 1884 behind his Pollen Street shop) is exactly marked on an 1889 street map. Today this site is st the back of the Thames 100% shop premises. The co-ordinates are marked below, top left.

     Around 1894, Grigg's residence moved to the south-east corner of Queen and Pahau Streets. The residence faced Queen Street, just north of the Karaka Creek. A snip from a William Price's 1910s photograph appears to clearly show Grigg's observatory on the rear of his section. In the snip below this is the white building in the centre. The 'dome' identifiable, against the white washing at the rear.

http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22408019

Caption: Overlooking Thames township. 

Ref: 1/2-001541-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.

Memorial window at the Baptist Church

The Baptist Church at Thames has large stained glass windows that commemorate the founding members - John Grigg's commemorative window is on the western wall.

Unveiling of John Grigg's restored grave

After lunch the family travelled to the Shortland Cemetery. Undeterred by the rain and limited access, young and old made their way to the plot on the lower section of the cemetery extension off Danby Street.

 

     A dedicatory prayer and thanksgiving for John Grigg's life was given. Followed by the reading of two bible passages, then a final eulogy was delivered.

     Next came the unveiling of the new plaque / headstone. All the hard work and planning was worth it, the family proud that John Grigg FRAS (1838-1920) will continue to be remembered at his beloved Thames.

CHALLENGE

I must say I was envious to see these Grigg descendants gathered to remember an early Thamesite. 

     How many times have you contemplated caring for, or repairing an ancestor's grave? And not followed through. 

     How many times have you thought a family get-together was needed to commemorate a special anniversary? And not organised it. Thought it was all too hard? 

     Well how about we take the challenge and do something to remember our Thames ancestors, and reconnect with other living descendants!

Further reading on Grigg's astronomy:

Exploring the History of New Zealand Astronomy by Wayne Orchiston 2016.

Thames (NZ): John Grigg remembered 100 years after his death

In previous posts we have looked at the life and achievements of amazing Thamesite John Grigg.

In more recent times, it was noted that Grigg's grave had been restored.

 

Now comes the news that this weekend descendants of John Grigg are commemorating the 100th anniversary of his death, 20 June 1920 at the Thames.

Stuff.co.nz have a report on Mr John Grigg of the Thames (1838-1920).

"Behind a piano shop on Pollen St in Thames, John Grigg built an observatory that would later be used to locate his first comet.
     Two more comet discoveries followed, and after more than 100 years, Grigg's astronomical achievements with the stars are still being acknowledged on Earth.
     Grigg was born in London on June 4, 1838 and moved to Thames in 1867, at the height of the gold rush.
     He relocated his observatory - equipped with a resolving roof - to his home in Queen St, where he discovered his first comet in July, 1902." For full report click here.

 

A memorial church service is being held in the Thames Baptist Church - Commencing at 10am on Saturday, June 20, the gathering is open to all interested.

AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME LI, ISSUE 147, 21 JUNE 1920

Background Reading on Mr John Grigg:

Biography at Te Ara.

Meteors over Thames.

John Grigg, and the genesis of cometary astronomy in New Zealand, by Wayne Orchiston.

Matthew Grigg, son of John Grigg.

Thames (NZ): Thames Second Look in Colour - Pārāwai.

Another favourite view is a D M Beere photograph looking over Pārāwai towards Shortland Town.
     Taken around 1868, the foreground focuses on the area around the Hauraki Mission Station that was located in the Mount Sea Road - Herewaka area of Pārāwai.

Photo Right: View from Hauraki Mission Station at Parawai, towards Shortland. Ref: 1/2-096132-G. Alexander Turnbull Library,  Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23172220

Imagine living in this area around 1867, alongside tangata whenua and missionaries. Nestled by the meandering Kauaeranga River, the inhabitants were witness to the development and chaos surrounding Shortland Town and Grahamstown.

A Second Look in Colour
What did you see in the photograph above? A few houses, bush tracks and buildings in the distance?

• Take a 'second look' and spy the Duke of Edinburgh Hotel adjacent to the Shortland Landing - present day this is the area of the Shortland Wharf at the seaward end of Grey Street, Thames. The hotel is the two storied building right of centre in the snip below. There is also a large boat anchored at the landing, with several other masts to the left of centre.

• Moving right in the original D M Beere photograph to the bend in the Kauaeranga River - present day this is the area of Banks Street and Parawai Road. There is a small settlement, with a boat anchored alongside the bank. Abode construction ranges from punga huts, to tents, to small wooden huts, to a large house with an outside chimney billowing smoke. Maybe the residents had been boiling water for wash day, as their long clothes line is loaded with washing!

• The next snip is of a well established area at Pārāwai - the Hauraki Mission Station (HMS) grounds and Church. A well fenced area, with the mission house out of view to the right. The church bell is clearly visible top centre, and on the flat below is the first HMS Church built 1863. The HMS had been established at Puriri in 1833 and moved to Pārāwai in 1837.  Present day this is the area around Mount Sea Road and Herewaka Street.

• Given the previous blog post dealt with early footpaths at nearby Shortland and Grahamstown, it would be remiss not to look at walkways and tracks along the Kauaeranga River area. The 'second look' in colour shows the tracks leading from further up the Kauaeranga River back to Pārāwai. The paths look in relatively good condition, although narrow, adequate for foot and horse traffic. Gully areas have what looks like logs, forming footbridges.

Wow, what a difference colour makes! Remembering the warning from our previous colourised post, the colour has been automatically generated and has not been refined to correct possible errors. Regardless, its still worth a 'second look'.

Then & Now 1868 & 2019

Photo sources:

Top: Photo Right: View from Hauraki Mission Station at Parawai, towards Shortland. Ref: 1/2-096132-G. Alexander Turnbull Library,  Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23172220 Colourised courtesy of MyHeritage.

Lower: Aerial view from Google Maps.

Background Reading:

Hauraki Mission Station (Puriri and Parawai Sites), by David Wilton, Treasury Journal 2008.

Thames (NZ): WWI ROH Board at the St James Church, Thames

St James' Church ROLL OF HONOUR Board

Introduction:

When the book From Gold Mine to Firing Line was published in 2014, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the start of The Great War, we sadly missed including the St James' Roll of Honour board.

The large framed 'ROH', has been beautifully hand crafted, the text immaculately formed. It hangs at the northern entrance as you enter the church on the western wall. While we usually interpret 'Roll of Honour' as meaning those who lost their lives in the war, this one records all the names of servicemen who went to the Great War 1914-1918.

Photo Courtesy of David Wilton, Thames.

Background Thames WWI:
In 2014, 2300 names were identified for men and women who served in World War One from the greater Thames-Hauraki-Coromandel region. The 'war death' rate was 26% for the Hauraki region. 

How many men from Thames township died in the war? Initially research found that over 200 soldiers died in the war (up to 1923 which qualifies for a war related death). When considering the Thames ward (from Kereta to Hikutaia, and Kopu Bridge to Hikuai hill) - this number increased to at least 247 men. This is the number of memorial trees that are planted at the WW100 Forest at Rhodes Park, Thames. 

Please note that memorials such as the Thames Peace Memorial do not record all the ROH (or returned soldiers), and is in fact missing at least 50% of the names. There is a remembrance board outside the Thames War Memorial Hall that has a more up-to-date Roll of Honour list.

The names on the St JAMES ROH Board:
* Indicates a war death eg. KIA (Killed in Action) or DOD (Died of Disease). NOK stands for next-of-kin. Place of death is stated as France for the war deaths, and is usually recorded in the war file as on the fields of France or Belgium - based on troop movements and battle dates, it is usually possible to research and get a more accurate location.

Interesting to note that no WWI Nurses are recorded on this board, this is possibly an error and / or only servicemen were deemed eligible to go on the list.

*AGNEW, Sydney Samuel: WWI 70149 - Died at Thames 3 May 1921. Sydney was schooled at Thames and worked at A & G Price.

*AUTRIDGE, Charles H: WWI 40271 - KIA 12 October 1917 France. A carpenter at Thames, son of Mrs M Autridge of Richmond Street.

*CAMPBELL, William John: WWI 13/2308 - KIA 8 April 1918 France. Husband of Florence Campbell of Beach Road, Thames.

       

CLARK, George Smeaton: WWI 45823 - NOK Miss Mira Clark of Thames. Working as a deputy-registrar at Supreme Court in Wellington on enlistment.

CLARK, James Patterson: WWI 25059 - Brother of George Smeaton Clark, born at Thames and attended Thames High School.

COUTTS, John Elrick: WWI 2/2801 - Born at Thames, father John lived in Beach Road.

COXHEAD, Robert Alexander: WWI 8/3223 - Working as a farmer at Miranda on enlistment, his mother Mrs R Coxhead lived up the Hape Creek.

CRAWFORD, George James: WWI 44828 - Born at Thames, a farmer at Totara on enlistment. NOK Mrs A M Crawford of Totara Point.

CRAWFORD, Thomas Henry: WWI 31957 -  Born at Thames, a farmer at Totara on enlistment. NOK Mrs A M Crawford of Totara Point. Awarded the Military Medal.

CROKER, Basil Warner: WWI 8/3228 - NOK Mr P W Croker (father), an architect from Thames. Basil received the Military Medal.

DUNLOP, Gordon Aitken: WWI 11/1540 - Working as a drover on enlistment, NOK Mrs T A Dunlop of Parawai.

FISHER, Walter Donald: WWI 39657 - NOK Mrs A Fisher of Karaka Road, a labourer at Thames on enlistment.

GILLAN, Alexander: WWI 37582 - NOK Mrs Mary Ann Gillan (mother) of Puriri.

*GLESSING, John Polton Hicks: WWI 31990 KIA 4 June 1917 France - Son of John and Margaret Glessing of Thames.

*GRAHAM, Albert Edward: WWI 24/769 KIA 12 October 1917 - Son of Mr & Mrs William Graham of Terrace Street. Albert was a miner at Thames on enlistment.

       

GRAHAM, James: WWI 12/3654 - working as a labourer on enlistment, son of  Mr & Mrs William Graham of Terrace Street, Thames. 

GRAHAM, Thomas Harold: WWI 24/770 - A grocer at Galloway's in Thames, the son of Thomas Graham of Mackay Street.

GRAHAM, William James: WWI 29392 - Worked as a letter carrier in Thames before the war, son of Mr & Mrs Thomas Graham of Mackay Street.

GUY, William Duncan: WWI 47591 - Born and lived in Thames, NOK was Leslie Jackson of Baillie Street (brother-in-law).

HINDMAN, E(a)rnest George: WWI 34472 - A baker in Thames, Mother Mrs E Hindman of Karaka Creek.

HINDMAN, Fredrick William: WWI 13/2334 - A baker in Thames, Mother Mrs E Hindman of Karaka Creek.

*ISAACS, Thomas: WWI 12/398 DOD 18 March 1916 Egypt. NOK MR S Isaacs (father) of Parawai.

JAMIESON, Herbert: WWI 25/886 - A bricklayer in Thames on enlistment, mother Mrs R Jamieson lived in Augustus Street.

LAPRAIK, George: WWI 3/144 - A GP in Thames, married to Marion Eliza Lapraik nee Bush.

LAW, John Leslie: WWI 49719 - attended Kauaeranga Valley School, E Law of Claudelands.

LAW, Robert Ruther-Glen: WWI 62341 - A labourer in Thames, son of Robert and Elizabeth Law, Mackay Street.

MACKAY, Donald Meredith Gordon: WWI 24381 - Born in Scotland, worked for the Lands & Survey Department, a member of the 6th Hauraki Regiment (Thames Territorials).

McCORMICK, Allan Loughlin: WWI 16109 -  NOK Mr F McCormick (father) of Tararu, occupation farmer and blacksmith at Turua on enlistment.

McCORMICK, William Sharpe: WWI 4/1627 - Born in Thames, a miner at Waihi.

McDONALD, Ernest Bert: WWI 65773 - A baker in Thames, mother Mrs Sarah McDonald of Edward Street.

McDONALD, John William: WWI 41370 - A miner at Tararu on enlistment, NOK Mrs S McDonald (mother), Block 27, Thames.

McDONALD, Robert Henry: WWI 2/143 - A baker in Wellington, mother Mrs Sarah McDonald of Edward Street. Awarded Military Medal.

McKENZIE, Allan Leslie: WWI 30827 - A farmer on the Thames Coast, NOK Mrs M McKenzie (mother) at Tapu.

MacMORRAN, Robert Glen: WWI 32529 - A surveyor at Thames on enlistment.

*McONIE, Colin: WWI 26661 - KIA 7 June 1917 France. Father P McOnie of Mackay Street

McONIE, George: WWI 10/3022 - Father P McOnie of Mackay Street.

MENZIES, Allen Gillies: WWI 46238 - Worked as a cordial maker, the family was part of Grey & Menzies, iconic Aerated bottlers of Thames.

MITCHELL, Samuel George: WWI 47598 - NOK Mrs R Wallace, Pollen Street, Thames. An orchardist at Te Puru on enlistment.

*POTTS, John Kirker: WWI 10/1142 - KIA 8 August 1915 at Gallipoli. Son of William and Jane Potts of Thames.

             

PRICE, Arthur Gorton: WWI 36791 -  Son of George Price of Queen Street, occupation on enlistment was traveller.  (Brother of Henry & John)

PRICE, Henry (Harry) Wooles: WWI 24/888 - Son of George Price of Thames, occupation on enlistment an engineer at A & G Price. (Brother of John & Arthur)

PRICE, John Lawrence: WWI 25/805 - Son of George Price of Thames, occupation on enlistment a farmer at Matatoke. (Brother of Henry & Arthur)

*RAMSAY, Harold T: Harold Vivian Ramsay,  WWI 18080 - KIA 2 April 1918 France. Harold was a Schoolmaster at Thames High School.

SMITH, Leslie John: WWI 12/868 - son of John Smith of Rolleston Street

SMITH, Reginald Trevor: WWI 26468 - Son of Mr W T Smith of Rolleston Street, later served in WWII and was also awarded an OBE in 1942.

TAIT, Alexander R: WWI -Not yet identified.

TROTTER, William John Russell: WWI 12/912 - NOK Mrs R R Trotter of Waiomio, William was a labourer at Tapu. Awarded Military Medal.

*WALLACE, William: WWI 12/3856 - KIA 30 May 1916 France. NOK Mrs R Wallace (mother) of Pollen Street.

                   

WATSON, Donald Dr: WWI - Son of John Watson, attended Thames High, further details not known.

WATSON, William: WWI 13/2384 - A farmer on enlistment, NOK Mrs J Watson (mother) C/- A & G Price, Thames.

WYND (WIND), Sydney H: WWI 72923 - A battery-hand on enlistment. NOK Mrs Rose Wind (mother) of Franklyn Street.

SUMMARY:

Major George Lapraik
WWI Medical Corps

• Of the 51 names listed above on the ROH board, 10 men lost their lives as a result of the war. Sydney AGNEW, Charles AUTRIDGE, William CAMPBELL, John GLESSING, Albert GRAHAM, Thomas ISAACS, Colin McONIE, John POTTS, Harold RAMSAY and William WALLACE.
• There were nine sets of brothers: George & James CLARK; George & Thomas CRAWFORD; Albert & James GRAHAM; Thomas & William GRAHAM; Ernest & Fredrick HINDMAN; John & Robert LAW; Ernest, John & Robert MCDONALD; Colin & George McONIE; and Arthur, Henry & John PRICE.
• Dr George Lapraik served as a General Practitioner in the town from 1899 to 1919, which included an incredible stint during the November 1918 Influenza Epidemic. Dr Lapraik was over 50 years of age when he served on the front line during WWI. George died in 1933, and  his friends at the Thames placed a headstone on his plot at Hamilton East Cemetery. The monumental inscription reads:In loving Memory. Geo. Lapraik M.B. Mast. Surg. Univ. of Glasgow 1887. Died 7th May 1933 Aged 69 Years. He gave of his best for humanity. Erected by Thames friends.
• Another man on the list, is an example of the amazing folk that came from Thames. Reginald Trevor Smith was awarded an OBE in 1942. A boy from Thames who went onto oversee major civil engineering projects with the public works for decades. Including rebuilding after the 1931 Napier Earthquake, recovery operation at Tangiwai train disaster in 1953, conversion of trams to trolley buses in Wellington, and much more! Smith served in WWI (wounded twice), WWII with the 13th Railway Construction Company and later with the Indian Army. 

Background Reading:

• Thames WWI Roll of Honour
• WWI Doctors from Thames
• Dr George Lapraik
• Military Nurses
• WWI Tunnellers
• WWII Thames ROH
• Slideshow WWI Thames ROH
• Details of Reginald Trevor Smith's life achievements are in his war file

Thames (NZ): The Hazelbank Hotel

Thanks to Tom for spotting some new / higher resolution copies of photographs of Thames at Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.

The one below is a classic, that looks over the Government Buildings in Queen Street, with the Wesleyan Church and Sunday School top centre. So much more, but of particular interest for me was the signage for the Hazelbank Hotel.

Grahamstown

Burton Brothers studio; photography studio; New Zealand, Unknown; photographer; New Zealand

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Background From the Hotels of Thames:

"The Hazelbank Hotel in Brown Street was located north of the Wesleyan Church (now the site of the Thames School of Mines). Alexander Gillon was publican at the hotel for several years. In May 1875 Gillon applied to the Licensing Committee for a license to sell liquor after 10pm until 4am on the 25th. “He wanted the door open after hours and to sell liquor after hours as he expected a few friends.” (Thames Star, 22 May 1875) The Bench agreed in principal if the house remained closed to the general public, but Gillon wanted it sold to all and sundry – so the application was refused!

In 1882 licensee John Tonkin was in trouble with the law as he had sold drink to Charlotte Hicks on a Sunday and she was not a bona fide traveller. The hotel keepers of the Thames certainly kept the lawyers and court busy with a multitude of Licensing Act breaches.

In 1911 the owner of the hotel was Mr A M Myers, he sold the property and it was converted into a villa residence. The town lamented, that yet another landmark of the town was disappearing.

THE HAZELBANK HOTEL:
A crop of the photograph (below) shows the back entrance to the Hazelbank Hotel off Davy Street, adjacent to Hamilton's Bakery. The hotel's main entrance was on Brown Street - between Cochrane and Albert Streets.

The hotel was open pre-1872 till c1887. Known publicans were: Alexander Gillon (1874-80); John Tonkin (1879-83); Thomas Godkin (1883-87).

You can download the full photograph at the link given. Enjoy finding the butcher shop, and Mennie & Dey's biscuit factory opposite the library. (see below)

Keep hunting, keep revisiting sites like Te Papa - fingers crossed there are more treasures out there, as more sites update their online content.

Thames (NZ): Transportation - Moving buildings on the Goldfield

Was it a generational thing, or was it that our Thamesites were never prepared to be beaten?

Nothing seemed to hard! Want to move a building? Just say where to and it would be done!
Not to forget the moving of large / heavy mining equipment, that was achieved on a regular basis.

How were buildings moved?
There are a few reports of buildings being urgently removed to the goldfield, and the most accepted story is that the Wharf Hotel was ferried across the gulf from Auckland. There is no evidence to suggest that this is true, in fact the opposite is true as there are reports in the paper describing the erection of the hotel building at the corner of Albert and Brown Streets.

Around the town, the most common method to move a building was to literally put the structure onto skids / rollers and slowly move the building to the new location with bullock teams. The photo below is from North Auckland, but shows the principal of moving buildings that was employed at Thames in the early goldfield years.

Showing a bullock team moving the Aranga hall to be near the Aranga gum camps. It was moved again in the 1990s to the Aranga School.  Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19220817-41-3.

What did the Thames Pioneers move? Hotels, Churches, Schools and private residences. Here are a selection:

Graham Hotel

• Built for Robert Graham in 1868, moved to Waiwera about 1875. Sadly no photograph yet found of this, like all the other early building moves! 

Imperial Hotel

• The hotel opened early 1868 on the South-West wide of the Sealey and Pollen Street intersect. (below left) In 1884 it was moved to the opposite side (where a new building was constructed in 1936 - and still remains today (see below right))
•  Details of the move:"Messrs Ehrenfried Bros applied to council for permission to close the road, and the Thames Advertiser 14th March 1884 confirmed that this was approved. Experienced building contractor James McAndrew won the contract, and started on the two week task 19th March 1884. The building required turning around in transit to fit the new site. On 26th March the move across Pollen Street began. “The magnitude of the undertaking may be imagined when it is stated that the dimensions of the building are 40 feet by 40 feet, and its weight about sixty tons.” From Hotels of Thames

 

Kauaeranga Girls School

• The Kauaeranga Girls School aka Sandes Street School was built 1880 (below left) was closed in 1902 and in 1903 moved to the new Parawai School site in Grey Street (below right - later renamed Thames South School)

"The Sandes Street school closed at the end of 1902; Mr Fisher was headmaster at the time. In July 1903 the school buildings which had stood on the site were transferred to the new site at Parawai. This is the present South School site at the corner of Rolleston and Grey Streets. The children were in the interim schooled at the old Parawai School on the corner of Augustus and Banks Street. The newspaper reports stated: “The Sandes Street School, formerly known as the Girls’ School which has stood for twenty-three years, is now being transferred.”" (From Lost Landmarks)

St George's Church (1st)

• The first St George's Church was built in Rolleston Street in May 1868. (below left) Within a few years a new church was built and then in 1909 the 'old' church was moved to the present church site in Mackay Street - where it is still used as the Church's hall (below right).

  

St James Church (2nd)

• The first St James Church was located at the corner of Rolleston and Sandes Streets 3 May 1868. The second church (below top) was opened 29 January 1871. When it was decided to build a new church, this second church was moved east on the section and turned 90 degrees to face Pahau Street (c1897). This 'old' church is now used as the church hall. 

Wesleyan Church

• The Church started at the corner of Cochrane Street and Brown Street (built 1869). (photo left)
• The Church then in 1885 was moved to the corner of Pollen & Mary Streets (S-W intersect). (photo right) 

  

Details on the move of the Church from the Diary of G W HORNE (Source: Thames Museum)

1885, Oct 26 Mon: Six hands started this morning to get the Church divided into two parts, and bolting 6x4 under the center stringer and side wall plates to skid it on.

Tues 27: Got all ready to pull out side-ways on to the road with two winches.

Wed 28: Got it out on to the road side-ways about 50 feet, and pulled it end on about 150 feet, with ten hands.

Thur & Fri 29/30: Got as far as Judds. Three more hands started.

Sat 31st: Wages for the week about 30. One horse dray & driver 5/35

Tues Nov 3: Got into Mary Street with(?) the Church Front part, 13 hands on this week.

Wed 4: Just got into the Ground this evening. We shifted it on sleepers 6x4 packed up leveal (sic) and well greased and pulled it along with a winch and one pully with a rope leading to the winch.

Everything as worked very well so far.

Thurs 5: We got the first section into its place. It has taken 12 men.

Time taken 8 days.

Fri 6: Started to take down the ? at the back of the other section.

Sat 7: Still on with the apes and vestry. Wages for the week about 35 with the cart.

Mon 9: Got the apes of and the skids bolted under and also braced the roof a bit better. We lost 1 hour through (?)wind.

Tues 10: Started to shift the second (sic) section got it turned end on to the road ready for a straight pull. I lost ½ hour weather.

Sat 14: Got as far as the Kraka (sic) Bridge. The wages and sundry expenses amount to about 30 pounds for the week.

Mon 16: Got on very well shifted it about 100 yards.

Thurs 19: We got the seckoned (sic) section in its place. We have had 12 hands on altogether shifting this peace (sic).

Sat 21: The wages for the month for shifting the church is about £130.

From Nov 23 to Dec 5: Four men been on shingling for the fortnight and finishing cost about £20.

Dec 19 Got the sack: We got the Church finished. Near enough to open it tomorrow.”

Mr Horn gave a summary of the costs and put the total contract at £373.

Map showing how far the Wesleyan Church was moved.

• The Church then was moved 1962 to corner of Sealey and Mackay Streets. (below left - leaving the Pollen Street site)

 

• The Church was then dismantled in 1987 and rebuilt at Gails of Tamahere as a wedding venue. (Above right, taken when the church was dismantled in 1987)

MISCELLANEOUS BUILDINGS MOVED:
There are many more buildings that were demolished and moved, or partially demolished in order that they could be more easily transported. This includes the Waiotahi Creek School and part of the Baillie Street Boys School - details record they were moved, but not where they ended up. Part of the Baillie Street School does remain on the Thames High School site.

Several people have claimed to have had buildings from Thames, but they have not been formally verified. This includes a hotel at Opotiki that is meant to have come from Thames - but it hasn't been identified back to Thames (as yet).

Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.). Hotunui Meeting House,
Thames. Ref: PA7-05-19. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington,
New Zealand. /records/22672514

One of Thames' most special landmark buildings was dismantled, restored and now has pride of place at the Auckland War Memorial Museum in Auckland - namely the Meeting House 'Hotunui'.

• The carved runanga house opened September 1878 at Parawai. It was reported “on the front of the pole there is a figure of Maratuahu, the ancestor of the Hauraki tribes, wonderfully cut and carved. The house has been built for a meeting-place for the council of Hauraki, and will be devoted to no other purpose.” (BOP 21/9/1878) 
• The meeting house Hotunui fell into disrepair over the years and in 1925 efforts were made to restore some of the carvings. After negotiations another option became available and the meeting house found a new life at the Auckland Museum,  restored at the museum, where it went on display in 1929.

We couldn't finish without mention the moving of our largest products. While the great kauri tree were cut and travelled down the Kauaeranga River, where they were often tied together as a raft and towed by boat to Auckland.

Thames Hospital has moved multiple buildings over its 150 years of existence. from an old morgue building (now at Goldmine Experience), to an old person's home, isolation block (below right), and old staff residences (below left).

 

What about a lighthouse! Chas Judd Ltd, the foundry on Queen Street, made some magnificent lighthouses that were then transported to a ship and taken to their destination. They would be partially dismantled for the journey! But it still was an amazing fete. In more recent years, Part of Judd's workshop and an old battery have been transported to the Hauraki Prospector's Goldmine Experience property in Queen Street.

• Cape Campbell Lighthouse: What a sight it must have been to see the construction of the lighthouse in 1903 - manufactured by Judd’s foundry in Queen Street. It weighed 95 tons and stood 75 feet high.The lighthouse was conveyed by boat to Wellington, where it was taken in parts to the Cape for erection. It still stands today at Cape Campbell – a testimony to the work of the foundry. (From Lost Landmarks II)

These are just a few of the many Thames buildings that have 'moved', and we haven't even got to residential houses. Not forgetting the town's beloved Red Pillar Boxes, that have been moved about the town! Also the Plunket Rooms built in 1933 was moved to the Hauraki Plains in 2000. It is the early pre 1900 'moves' that are the principal focus in the above blog - they herald the wonderful abilities of our early Thamesites.