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): Early Gymnastic Sports at the Thames

Sport played an important part in the life of the settlers on the Thames Goldfield. Times may have been hard but as a community, both young and old, Thamesites relished coming together and participating in the wide range of sports that were on offer.

Introduction:
One of these sports was Gymnastics. Below is an excerpt from Playing Sports on the Thames Goldfield.

"In 1889 a group got together and formed an athletics class which was known as the Thames Amateur Gymnasium Club. By December 1890 the membership was 100, Mr H Cordes was club secretary. The leader/instructor was Mr Daldy McWilliams.

On 3rd December 1890, the club gave their first private exhibition in the Volunteer Hall at Shortland, which was then followed by a social. The exhibition included: dumbbell exercises to music, roman rings, horizontal bar, trapeze, Indian clubs and boxing. A highlight was the performance by Mr A Gubb when he, “did a most daring performance, making a flying leap from the single and landing in a sitting position on the double trapeze, which was received with great applause.”

Daldy McWilliams

March 1891, the Thames Amateur Gymnasium Club had a large athletic sports gathering at Mr Manning’s Paddock. As previously mentioned, the early disciplines of Gymnastics and Athletics, overlapped considerably.

In January 1893 there was a social to open the Thames Amateur Gymnasium Club’s season at their Richmond Street clubrooms, and a benefit night was planned for Mr Daldy McWilliams, as a thank-you for his services as instructor. There was also a Ladies’ Calisthenics Class, giving a performance of Indian clubs. The junior boys (8-14) were a junior division of dumb-bellists. Mention is made of the delight that the children had for this sport, noting that this education was lacking in the schools. “Apart from the value of the instruction imparted and its importance to health, the club also exercises a great moral influence, in as much as it cannot fail to keep many lads off the streets at night time, and consequently out of mischief.”
Advertisements for the club cease July 1894; did they become part of the Athletic Club or disband? There was another gym group, operating out of the Naval Hall in February 1891, run by Mr Wm Connon, with the aim of helping their members to become very efficient gymnasts.      

Then in 1897 Messrs Von Rotter and Meehan opened a gymnasium in the Hibernian Hall, Shortland. The gymnasium catered for: Indian clubs, dumbells, horizontal bar, roman rings, trapeze, tumbling, marching and boxing.

Other clubs in the town, such as rowing were also advertising gymnasium facilities. In May 1900 there was mention of another new club, the Thames Gymnasium & Athletic Club (Grahamstown), to be run by W Woodward and T Tasker.

The Thames Young Men’s Club opened next to the Post and Telegraph Office in Queen Street in 1904, and they also had a gymnasium.

Later in 1915, the Thames High School Gymnasium, which was part of the new school in Sealey Street, provided much needed gymnastic facilities for the community. Over the years a wide range of gymnastic disciplines were undertaken in Thames, at multiple venues. It would appear this was very popular sport, with many Thamesites."

Children holding the Indian Clubs - Presumably part of a display team.
Source: Thames Museum

Indian Clubs:
Now to the real reason for the post! When I first researched the sports on offer in the town it was hard to find accompanying photographs of early events. Now thanks to some treasures emerging in the Thames Museum Collection, one of the disciplines mentioned now has an accompanying photograph.

The gymnastic discipline featured is Indian clubs. This was one of the most popular display performances at the Thames; and regularly practiced at schools and clubs.

The photograph shows children proudly posed with their 'Indian Clubs'. Were they a display team, members if a group? Are the older girls the leaders, or instructors?

While we have talked about Gymnastics, for women the term Calisthenics was more often used. In the Thames Advertiser 25 August 1892 women from the local Calisthenic class wielded the clubs with great skill.

Thames Advertiser 25 August 1892. Paperspast.

Closing:

The importance of exercise was an early part of our school curriculum, in Thames and throughout New Zealand. In 1884, it was noted that Indian Clubs were to be added to the apparatus used in schools in the Auckland District. Mr Sullivan, the school Inspector noted, "I become everyday more and more impressed with the value of gymnastic exercises, especially for girls."

Thames (NZ): Heritage News - Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade & Sir Keith Park

Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade
This week, a new exhibition has opened at the Thames Museum which showcases the pictorial history of the Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade. (photo right)

The photographs of a large number of firefighters are on display, along with 'ladders' that have the names of all known members since the brigade was formed in 1887.

The Grahamstown Fire Brigade (paid) was established first, then came the Shortland Volunteer Brigade following the Great Fire of 1872. A new branch at Grahamstown was also formed that year - they both continued until the new amalgamated brigade was formed in 1887. The Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade has gone on to serve the town and district for decades. Not only fighting fires, but helping with other events such as medical and emergencies during times of flood.

The old Tilley Pump engine (one of the oldest in New Zealand) (below left) is on display along with an old Hand Reel (right).

 

For old Thamesites, you will get a chance to see again many old faces, along with the newer members of the brigade. The display at the Thames Museum runs for the next year.


SIR KEITH PARK STATUE UNVEILING
Just a reminder to all about the event at 11am Saturday 27th April, outside the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre in Mary Street.

Further information on TCDC webpage

  

LEFT: Sir Keith Park. RIGHT: The bronze Statue created by Wellington-area sculptor Jonathan Campbell, that will be installed outside the Thames War Memorial Hall

Thames (NZ): Transportation in the 20th Century

Previous Transportation posts:
Transportation - Getting around the Thames pre 1867
Transportation - Getting around the Thames from 1867
Transportation - Plans for getting the Railway to the Thames
Transportation - Industrial transportation on the goldfield
Transportation - More Railway plans and First Sod Memorabilia
Transportation - Moving buildings on the Goldfield

Getting around The Thames in the 20th Century

Thamesites were by the 1900s spoilt for choice regarding transport options. Here is a pictorial timeline of the changes in travel around the town of Thames.

· C1902-1904: First Cars seen at Thames Mr A H Brookes had the honour of bringing the first car Thames in February 1902.

There are accounts of early 1900s trips around the Thames area. In 1904, Mr J Adams travelled from Coromandel to Thames in 3¾ hours. A distance of 43 miles, travelling at an average of 13 miles an hour! Then in 1905, there was delight when Mr and Mrs Myers came to town in their car, after a trip to Rotorua. Their handsome car reportedly had met with much attention all along the way!

All transport options c1910s Grahamstown end of Pollen Street.

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 35-R1460.

· C1903: First Motorcycle seen at Thames 

In May 1900, a motor cycle was seen in Auckland. It was described as having a speed of four to thirty miles an hour. 

There was ONE motorcycle in Thames in September 1903, the paper wondered why this improved method of transport had not caught on, in Thames. 

· 1910s: Bus services and service cars begin 

Service Car waits to collect passengers from the Wakatere at the Burke Street Wharf.

· 1920 February 17: First Airmail Service trialled 

The big day for Thames arrived on 17th February 1920, when the first airmail delivery of mail took place, by flying boat. The big event was reported in the Fielding Star 18 February 1920. “An aeroplane arrived at the Thames from Auckland carrying the first airmail received there. Later members of the Harbour Board and the pilot inspected the wharf with the view to erecting a permanent landing stage.”

George Bolt receiving mail from a Post Office Official for the first airmail flight from Auckland to Thames. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A6252.

· 1922: First Airmail Newspaper Service. An honour that Thames shared equally with Whangarei, when the first seaplane newspaper service in New Zealand took place on Friday 8th December 1922.

The First Seaplane Newspaper Service in The Dominion: Last Friday's Issue of The New Zealand Herald, containing results of the General Election, being transported by air to Whangarei and Thames at 4 am. Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19221214-38-2.

· 1924: Concrete road strip down Pollen Street. The concrete not only signalled better driving but was seen as a boom for the town and signalled that better times were ahead.

1937 view of Pollen Street, showing the 'concrete strip'.

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19371124-49-3.

· 1924: ‘New’ Kauaeranga Road Bridge opened, old bridge destroyed in flood 

  The destroyed 'first' Kauaeranga Bridge. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19240529-40-3

· 1928 May 11: Hauraki (Kopu) Bridge officially opened 

The new Hauraki Bridge and the old ferry system. New Zealand Herald 28 May 1928

· 1930: ‘New’ Kauaeranga Rail Bridge built 

 

1930 New Kauaeranga Rail Bridge                               1947 View of Aerodrome

· 1936: Aerodrome established at Parawai / Totara 

· 1930s: Advances in bikes.

 

· 1930s: Companies had delivery vehicles for home deliveries eg butchers and bakeries

 

Colwill's Butchery Delivery Van (left) and Gleeson's Bread Van (right).

· 1930s Ambulances

· 1939-1945: Travel restrictions / petrol rationing 

 

Thames ration book - Mrs Richard's copy

· 1940-60s: Fishing boats lined the wharf 

New Zealand Herald 21 December 1938.

· 1951: Last passenger train, except for ‘specials’

· 1964: Campbell Industries car assembly opened

· 1965: The day there was an elephant race down Pollen Street

  

· 1967 March 23: Kopu-Hikuai Road opened 

The road connection went onto have a major impact on transportation and the settlement of the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula. Details on the road:

Length - 17.17 miles (28.5 km), Original formation width - 27 feet (8 metres), Steepest grade - 1 in 10. Bridges - 7 with a total length of 950 feet. The longest 163 feet and the shortest 109 feet. Distances from Thames to Hikuai: Prior to the Highway - 53 miles, using the Highway - 22 miles. As the crow flies - 13 miles. Completed cost - £1,080.000.

1960s,the making of the Kopu-Hikuai Road

· 1969: A & G Price had manufactured over 239 locos 

· 1989: ‘New’ Kauaeranga Bridge & Demo old bridge 

  

Old and new Kauaeranga Bridges.

· 1990 March: Last Steam Train excursion comes to Thames

· 1991: End of Freight Train service  

· 1993: Toyota Car Factory produce 200,000th car

· 1996: Thames railway lines lifted

· 1998 October: Toyota stopped car assembly (last NZ)

· 2011 December 11: New Kopu / Hauraki Bridge opened 

Opening of the bridge. (photo from internet ?source)

· 2017 December: Thames Connector Bus Service introduced (left) and 2018 double decker buses come to Thames (right)

 

What's next? Maybe we will get our trains back!

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): 1908 Social at the Thames Club

Social events were popular at the Thames from the time the goldfield opened in 1867. A wide variety of venues were used by groups, these included church and masonic halls, plus specialty rooms such as the Academy of Music. The Thames Club was another group that has operated for over 100 years. This is the story of a 1908 dance card that was recently obtained from an online auction site.

BACKGROUND: The 'Thames Club' was formed following a public meeting 13 September 1904 - initially known as the Young Men's Club. In 1907 the group changed their name to 'The Thames Club' and purchased the old Lush property (then owned by Dr P Callan). In 2004 the Thames Club celebrated 100 years. The Thames Club is no longer located in the old club rooms, instead utilises space at the Thames Bowling Club.

SOCIAL EVENING 1908:
 On 2 September 1908, the Thames Club held a social evening, entitled "At Home."  The report on the dance held 2 September 1908, was reported in the Thames Star the following day. (see right)

The President of the club was Mr William McCullough, the owner of the Thames Star Newspaper. Over hundred men and women gathered that evening, the dancing started at 8 pm and went until midnight. The dance programme was interspersed with musical items presented by club members.

The 'dance card' was an important piece of paper, as those present would fill their card for the evening with partners for the programme of dances. (see below) The dances on the 2nd September included the following: Waltz, Lancers, Polonaise, and D'Alberts.

The evening ended with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem.

Further reading on the Thames Club:

Thames Club 100 Years 1904 - 2004, E F Kingsbury & N I Mills. 2005 Thames Club.