Thames (NZ): Remembering Sister Jessie Linton

No single day at the Thames Museum is the same. While overseas travel has been put on hold, visitors still come from around New Zealand. While some have no links to Thames, the volunteers on duty often get to meet and talk with people who have Thames names in their family tree. Here is the story of a very special visitor, who is related to a very 'special' Thamesite.

BACKGROUND:

The Thames Hospital School of Nursing was founded c1900. In 1901 nursing changed with the introduction of Nurses' Registration in 1901. Under Matron Stewart's guidance a successful training school was established - nurses came from all around New Zealand to undertake the three year training programme. Successful probationers were awarded the Thames Hospital certificate, they then went on to sit the New Zealand State examinations - once passed they they were awarded State registration.

Miss Jessie Emma Linton was born at Fielding in 1888, the daughter of  Emma and Francis Linton. Jessie was the eldest of eleven children. Birth Registrations at NZ BMD for her other siblings are:1889/4641 Linton Margaret Grace; 1890/14259 Linton Robert Charles; 1892/11677 Linton Annie Lyle; 1895/15505 Linton Andrew William; 1897/5563 Linton Barbara Elizabeth; 1899/342 Linton Isabel Zanna Emma; 1901/7807 Linton Francis Armstrong; 1904/5675 Linton Alister Murray; 1905/19354 Linton Harvey Little. and 1908/23585 Linton Janet Ellen.

The Linton family moved around the Manawatu, to Taranaki and  to the Te Awamatu region. By 1914,Jessie had decided to undertake her nursing training at Thames Hospital. Trainee nurses lived at the hospital in accommodation provided in the central two-storied wing of the hospital which faced Baillie Street. This 'second' hospital was opened  in 1900 and boasted modern equipment supplemented by the modern nursing methods that Matron Stewart implemented.

Thames Hospital, Baillie Street c1910.

In the June 1917 examinations, four nurses from Thames Hospital passed with marks over 75%. They were: Fanny Maria Warren, Christina Pilkington, Jessie Emma Linton and Daisy Sage. That year 93 Nurses sat throughout New Zealand, with 83 Nurses passing the three papers (consisting of Medical, Surgical and Oral sections).  In August 1917, the hard work had paid off and Staff Nurse Linton was officially registered, number 2179 on the Nurses' Register.

Nursing Register, published in the New Zealand Gazette

Available at Ancestry.au

Sadly the next heard of Sister Linton, was during the November 1918 influenza epidemic - Jessie worked tirelessly caring for patients but became a victim of the epidemic. Sister Jessie Emma Linton, Thames trained nurse, died of influenza 18 November 1918.

THAMES STAR, 19 NOVEMBER 1918

Sister Linton was interred at Shortland Cemetery, Thames 20 November 1918. A large number of available Board and staff attended the graveside service held by Reverend Milne. The pallbearers were returned soldiers dressed in full uniform - a mark of respect for the service given by Jessie and to honour two of her brother who had been Killed in Action in World War One (Robert in 1916 and Andrew in 1918).

Due to the respect that Sister Jessie Linton was held in, both at the hospital and the community, a special plaque was erected to remember her service to the town. The plaque reads:

This Plot was Enclosed 

and 

Tablet Erected 

By the People of Thames 

In Grateful Remembrance 

Of 

Sister Jessie E. Linton 

Formerly of Thames Hospital 

After Untiring Devotion to Duty 

During the Epidemic of 1918 

She Fell a Victim 

And Died 18th Nov 1918 

Aged 30 Years 

In the Service of Humanity 

She found the Inspiration of a noble Life.

 

Left: Staff Nurse Jessie Linton. Right: The plaque on Jessies plot at Shortland Cemetery.

A SPECIAL VISIT

Earlier this month, a family related to Jessie came to the Museum and arrangements were made to visit Linton's grave. What an amazing moment!  Accompanied by family, Alice (nee Linton, the daughter of Jessie's youngest brother Harvey), made the trek to the grave near the western boundary.

Sister Linton's niece Alice, reads the article on Jessie from True Tales of Thames Hospital.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thames Hospital WWI Nurses' Plaque

Sister Linton is remembered on the Nurses' WWI plaque at Thames Hospital.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Many thanks to Alice for sharing her family history. Through these personal visits the memories of these special Thamesites lives on.

Sister Jessie Linton - Lest We Forget

Thames (NZ): Shortland Cemetery Burial Register November-December 1918

      By chance I was checking a burial entry at the Thames Library, when I noticed the long pages for November and December 1918. It was only then that I realised it was for deaths during the 1918 Influenza Epidemic. While the cause of death for all my not have been influenza, it brings home the reality of the lives the town lost during those hard months 102 years ago. Remembering there would have been others at Tararu and surrounding local district cemeteries. 

The images from the pages are below, with a summary transcription at the end.

Shortland Cemetery Burial Register: 3 Nov 1918 to 30 Dec 1918

The following data has been selected: Date interred / Surname / Firstname / age / Plot

Key: **The link is to the Findagrave Memorial** Correct info in [ ]

Nov 3, BROKENSHIRE, Ethel A, 40yrs, Plot 3669

Nov 10, RADOVANOVICH, Frank, 29yrs, Plot 3829

Nov 12, TWOHILL, John Francis, 36yrs, Plot 2110

Nov 12, MAHER, Patrick, 49yrs, Plot 2937

Nov 12, MAHER, Thomas, Age not recorded, Plot 2939

Nov 12, MCKINNON, Emily Cadelia, 36yrs, Plot 2968

Nov 13, KEOGHAN, Lily Maud, 47yrs, Plot 3422

Nov 13, BRIEN, Edith Lavinia, 41yrs, Plot 516

Nov 13, READ, Margaret R, 35yrs, Plot 3658

Nov 14, TAFFINDER, Robert, 66yrs, Plot 3425

Nov 14, HARRIS, Peter, 82yrs, Plot 3592

Nov 14, NORRIES, Adam, 63yrs, Plot 3891

Nov 14, PETERS, Henry S, 47yrs, Plot 2203

Nov 15, WALKER, Mary, 86yrs, Plot 1194

Nov 15, WILTON, Charles Edwin, 43yrs, Plot 3297

Nov 15, MAHER, John, 38yrs, Plot 2940

Nov 15, DABB, Edward, 63yrs, Plot 139

Nov 16, BULFORD, Francis H, 39yrs, Plot 3677

Nov 16, RIPIKOI, Jane, 12months, Plot 3271

Nov 16, WILTON, Elizabeth H, 44yrs, Plot 3297

Nov 18, WILSON, Daniel, 40yrs, Plot 882

Nov 19, RADICH, Joe, 26yrs, Plot 3832

Nov 19, TAYLOR, Angelina, 37yrs, Plot 3807

Nov 19, BRIEN, Ada Lucy, 16yrs, Plot 516

Nov 19, JOHNSTON[E], Mildred A, 32yrs, Plot 3801

Nov 19, HART, John Edwin, 37yrs, Plot 3804

Nov 20, LINTON, Jessie Emma, 30yrs, Plot 3465

Nov 20, ANTONIA, Abraham, 77yrs, Plot 3461

Nov 21, RAVLICH, Jack, 23yrs, Plot 3828

Nov 21, BOYLE, John Edward, 44yrs, Plot 3675

Nov 22, LIDGARD, Annie M, 49yrs, Plot 3679

Nov 22, BUCKLAND, Charlotte A, 36yrs, Plot 3111

Nov 22, SENIOR, Thomas H, 1yr, Plot 3274

Nov 24, JOHNSTON[E], John H, 40yrs, Plot 3802

Nov 24, GRIFFIN, Patrick J, 38yrs, Plot 3334

Nov 24, LAW, Robert Alex, 49yrs, Plot 3654

Nov 27, HALL, Walter Ernest, 35yrs, Plot 3672

Nov 27, MARTIN, John, 40yrs, Plot 3517 [3870]

Nov 27, KENNY, Alice J, 2yrs, Plot 174

Nov 27, DUNLOP, Matilda J, 51yrs, Plot 3895

Oct [Dec] 1, HOYLE, Edith Ellen, 38yrs, Plot 3590 [3890]

Oct [Dec] 3, BUCKLAND, Alfred J, 45yrs, Plot 3111

Oct [Dec] 4, DOVELL, Dorothy A, 19yrs, Plot 3340

Oct [Dec] 5, MACK, Dallis [Dallas] Lewis, 1yr, Plot 3275

Dec 5, GUBB, Harry Alfred, 46yrs, Plot 3686

Dec 8, TREBILCOCK, Mary, 41yrs, Plot 3470

Dec 8, RICHARDSON, Alexander, 40yrs, Plot 3427

Dec 12, GRAHAM, Samuel, 38yrs, Plot 4002

Dec 13, GAHAGAN, Henry James, 54yrs, Plot 3662

Dec 13, JACKSON, Flora Annie, 37yrs, Plot 3879

Dec 15, RICHARDSON, MaryAnn, 46yrs, Plot 3428

Dec 15, HARDMAN, Elizabeth, 52yrs, Plot 3945

Dec 15, RITCHIE, Amy Edith, 30yrs, Plot 3464

Dec 18, LUDWIG, Dudley, 8yrs, Plot 3379

Dec 20, HOUGHTON, Melbro M, 45yrs, Plot 2139

Dec 21, JONES, Blanche, 37yrs, Plot 4003

Dec 23, COLLINS, Ernest, 34yrs, Plot 1575

Dec 25, DOIDGE, Clara E, 60yrs, Plot 3691

Dec 30, KEATING, George R, 45yrs, Plot 3382

During November - December 1918, there were 59 interments at Shortland Cemetery, Thames. Forty of those were in November!

During these months at Tararu cemetery there were two interments:

George [James] GLASGOW buried 19 November, 73yrs Plot 725A and Richard MURDOCH buried 26 November, 38yrs Plot 292.

This brings the total interments in the two public cemeteries November / December 1918 -  during the Influenza Epidemic to 61. The following months may also have deaths that could be attributed to complications. Also there were Thamesites who passed away during the epidemic who were on holiday / in residence in other parts of New Zealand, who may have been interred out of Thames.

Reference:

Shortland Burial & Sexton Registers, Archives Section, Thames Library.

Thames (NZ): First Flight over the Coromandel Ranges

When did your ancestors first take a flight at Thames? 

     The town was excited in August 1930 with the announcement that Captain Money's de Haviland Gipsy Moth would be coming to Thames. 

     The plane arrived at midday 15 August 1930, and delighted Thamesites watched from below as the plane circled above the town and gave a display of aerobatics. 

     Flights were available for the following two days.  The plane landed at the Parawai Racecourse - the entry fee to inspect the plane was two shillings and sixpence. If you went for a flight, the entrance fee was deducted off the fare. The cost of a flight was one pound.

     Passenger flights completed, Captain Money and his passenger prepared for a flight to Mercury Bay, the first flying craft to visit the Bay.

The First Flight over the Coromandel Ranges to Mercury Bay

On 16 August, Captain R R Money's moth left Thames headed for Mercury Bay. The flight took 25 minutes. and they landed on Buffalo Beach.

     Mr A G T Bryan of Thames accompanied Captain Money in the passenger seat. The Thames Star 16 August 1930 reported: "It is also worthy of note that Captain Money took with him a special edition of the "Thames Star," the first paper to be conveyed by air on the Peninsula."

Mr A G T Bryan's Flight

In the Thames Star 19 August 1930 Mr Bryan wrote a full account of his flight to Mercury Bay.

“We’re Off” Contact! A single turn, and the engine starts, and we go for a short taxi down the course, turning to open the throttle and gather speed rapidly.  A smooth run past the grandstand and we are off the ground before I know it – a hundred feet up – two hundred. Parawai is slipping away below, and over to the left are the Plains, dotted with cosy homesteads set among tidy green fields…Below are many upturned faces, looking up from the neat chessboard pattern of the town – it looks very well from the air, much better than from the ground.  We are over the harbour now – and how big Prices’ works look! One minute since we started.”  (Click for Full report)

AUCKLAND STAR, 26 AUGUST 1930

Who was A G T Bryan (1891-1975)?

A probable match for the passenger on this momentous flight was Alfred George Thomas Bryan - a solicitor in Thames during the 1930s.

     Alfred was born at Reefton, attended Nelson College, served as a Captain in World War One, then settled in Thames as a solicitor.

Nelson College Yearbook 1956 at ancestry.au (accessed 19 July 2020)

The Future of Flight & the Coromandel Peninsula?

Captain Robert Raymond Money, was struck by the beauty of the Peninsula and the townships around it. He noted "As a stranger for the first time...I was very impressed by its beauty. I feel that it has only to become known to be a very popular holiday centre, provided that some better form of communication be made available."

     The question of an aerodrome and aero club was seen as vital. Captain Money felt that flight was a great transport option for the town, as a flight to Mangere aerodrome would take just thirty minutes.

DH60G Moth ZK-AAV,

Identified as the possible plane used by Captain Money for his tourist flights.

Source: Aviation Historical Society of New Zealand Message Board

Background Reading

Information on R R Money.

Thames (NZ): The Television comes to Thames

New Zealand's Television History

Tomorrow, 1 June 2020 marks 60 years of television in New Zealand.

"Broadcast from Shortland St in central Auckland, New Zealand’s first official television transmission began at 7.30 p.m. The first night’s broadcast lasted just three hours and was only available to viewers in Auckland. It included an episode of The Adventures of Robin Hood, a live interview with a visiting British ballerina and a performance by the Howard Morrison Quartet." 

"By 1969 the four television stations were broadcasting for 65 hours each week, between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday and 2 p.m. and midnight at the weekend." https://nzhistory.govt.nz/first-official-tv-broadcast

Memories of Watching TV at Thames

Do you remember the first time you watched television at Thames? My grandparents while relatively poor, were the owners of a television in the early 1960s. The excitement was amazing for a six year old (approx!).

Once a week we seemed to gather at their house, cousins included and sit around on the floor (seats reserved for adults) and watch whatever was on the television until we went to sleep. This wasn't the only way to watch a television, a little later you could go and stand / sit outside shops such as Brown's and 'stare' at the TV's that would be positioned facing the footpath.

I can't remember when we exactly got a TV (black and white), but it was well before the moon landing in 1969. A few nights a week I can recall staying up to watch my favourites, such as The Dick Van Dyke Show!

Apart from watching the 'set' we often watched outside to see if the car was driving around to check if people had paid their license fees! By 1965 there were over 300,000 television licenses issued - I suspect Mum didn't always pay it, hence why we were often on the 'lookout'.

Hospital gets Televisions

On this day, 31 May, fifty-four years ago (1966) Thames Hospital received a generous donation of televisions from the Thames United Services and Thames Lions Club. 

Thames Hospital Board Chairman Mr Morrison thanked the groups for their ongoing support around the hospital. 

"Mr Morrision took the opportunity of announcing that the Board intended to provide for the proper installation of television throughout the hospital." Thames Star 31 May 1966. 

The hospital faced the problem of how to allow patients to watch and listen to the TV, without disturbing those who needed rest - they were looking at a headset option that would be available for all. 

Mr L C Hays (left) and Mr N I Mills (right) presenting the new televisions to the Thames Hospital.

According to the website New Zealand History, the cost of the sets was considerable. "In February 1966 the average price of a 23-inch black and white television ‘consolette’ was £131, equivalent to nearly $5000 today."

The next milestone - Colour TV broadcasts

Yes, we had a colour television fairly early on once broadcasting started. How amazing it was! The Thames Star 28 July 1972 alerted Thamesites to the fact that colour television reception would soon be a reality. Providing of course you could afford the new television set.

Servicemen were busy attending courses in how to maintain and repair these new machines, the expected start date March 1973. "Three servicemen, one from Tisco, one from Edwin Brown Ltd, and Roger Carter, of Puru are in the process of attending a 10 week course in Waihi." (Thames Star 28 July 1972) While Mr S E Wood of Wood & Lamb Ltd was next in line to attend the course.

"On Wednesday 31 October 1973, colour television using the Phase Alternating Line (PAL) system was introduced, in readiness for the 1974 British Commonwealth Games, which were to be held in Christchurch in January and February 1974. The final switchover for colour television was in December 1975." Television in New Zealand, Wikipedia.

Take the Challenge

Take a moment to remember your first TV memories, favourite programmes, first 'live' events you watched? What brand was your TV, was it made in Waihi? 

Further Reading:

Television in New Zealand.

Thames (NZ): Thamesites celebrate 8-9 May 1945

A special day, for Thames, New Zealand and the world.

"Germany surrendered on 7 May, New Zealand time, but acting Prime Minister Walter Nash insisted that celebrations should wait until after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had officially announced peace at 1 a.m. on 9 May, New Zealand time." https://nzhistory.govt.nz/keyword/ve-day

The Thames Star Tuesday 8 May 1945 announced 'in colour' "Allies Win War in Europe". 
The day known as VE (Victory Europe) Day. As mentioned above, given the time difference, the New Zealand Prime Minister decreed the official commemoration day was Wednesday 9 May.

One of the busiest businesses in the town was the Post & Telegraph and Telephone Exchange departments at the local Post Office. Thamesites recorded record numbers of phone calls and sent / received a large number of telegraphs. All Post Office Staff was called to help, including the "Chief Postmaster {who demonstrated he] had not lost his skills as a morse operator."

Events on the 9th May at Thames included: 

• The St George's Church bell sounded throughout the day.
• Outside the Regent Theatre in Pollen Street, a loudspeaker played recorded speeches from England by Mr Churchill and the King.
• A United Church Service was held at 11am in the St George's Church, Mackay Street.
• A one day special VE bowls event was held at the Thames Bowling Club. the winning team was: W Mutton, D Adamson, J A Briggs, and C Walker (skip).
• A special rugby match took place 2.30pm at Rhodes Park between Thames and Hauraki Plains(Ngatea) teams. Ngatea won the match 6 to 3.

• A Torchlight Procession was held at 8pm. This went from the Brian Boru Hotel, along Pollen Street to Mary Street, around the hospital block, down Pahau Street to Pollen Street, to the land opposite the old Gas Works in Mary Street. Those in the procession carried 400 torches, supplied by the Thames Fire Brigade.
• The Regent Theatre held a special VE Day programme. From 8pm Newsreels; 8.30pm God Save the King - Thames Methodist Church choirs; The Russian National Anthem. The Methodist Church choirs then sang: Thank You America, Invocation to Peace, There will always be an England. Following a short intermission the movie Three Men in white was screened.
• The evening finished with a large bonfire opposite the Gas Works. The National Anthem was sung by the hundreds who had taken part in the procession and gathered spectators. The torch bearers threw their torches onto the assembled bonfire stack, which burnt intensely for over half an hour.
• The only disappointment was that a bunch of "hooligans" pulled down many of the flags and buntings that had lined the street.

Notices from the Thames Star 8 May - advertising events for the following day.

Thames Mayor's Message.
In the Thames Star 8 May 1945, Mayor Ensor (photo right) said that the celebration of VE Day, allowed everyone to give thanks to the United Nations who had fought for nearly six years.

"In this victory, most, if not all of us, have played some part...No one, at this time can fail to be aware that the war is not yet over, and that the task ahead may still be difficult." 

Mayor Ensor reminded readers that winning the war against Japan was the priority, along with the repatriation of the men and women who were returning from serving overseas.

He finished his message by saying: “The winning of the peace will not be easy. Let us approach this question with the firm conviction that we are all responsible for seeing that justice is done, and in any new order that a reasonable standard of living is assured for all those able and willing to work, and that the aged and the infirm, the widow and the orphan, are properly cared for.  This will then certainly be a better world.”

The War on Scarlet Fever

While Thamesites were concerned with the ongoing war, they still faced the war against scarlet fever, the local paper contained large advertisements from the Department of Health.

Thames (NZ): ANZAC Day at the Thames 2020 and 1945

ANZAC DAY at THAMES 25 April 2020

What's your usual ANZAC Day routine?  Mine involves getting my father's medals out ready to wear, then starting at the Dawn Service, followed by the 10am parade. In between trips to the cemetery, the cenotaph and the Peace Memorial. So what happened this year (2020)?

First, the message had gone out to place a poppy at your letterbox or in you window. Around the town, households came up with innovative ways to make a suitable memorial, including printed poppy photos and other message. The crosses that usually adorned the war cemeteries, were spread out on lawns around the town.

Poppies made for the window. 

Twenty five flowers each representing ten Thames soldiers who lost their lives in WWI. 

**So far over 248 names have been identified for the Thames ROH list.**

Just before 6am, the people of Thames joined the plea to 'stand at the gate' and remember the men and women who served / serve in the defence forces. The Last Post played on street corners via mobile phone and radio. In those moments we all realised the gravity of the situation - this is what Covid-19 had done to us all, we could not commemorate our 'special' day.

The Thames RSA recorded an ANZAC Day Service for 2020, which is available to view on Youtube.

Never will we forget ANZAC Day 2020 - Lest We Forget

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ANZAC DAY at THAMES 25 April 1945

Now, for some sense of normality, we will step back in time and look at how Thamesites commemorated 25 April 1945 - 75 years ago.


1945 April 23: The town had welcomed home 15 men who had served overseas. The men had travelled by train from Auckland to Paeroa, then bused to Thames. After a quick civic welcome, the men were reunited with family who they had not seen for years. There was also news that prisoner of war Sergeant Jack Cameron of Mill Street, was now safe in England.

1945 April 24: Notices were placed in the Thames Star newspaper by the Thames Returned Services Association informing residents of the proceedings for the following day. All returned service men and women were asked to meet at the Drill Hall in Mackay Street at 9.30am to prepare for the march.

A full article in this edition reminded folk that this was the thirtieth anniversary of the Gallipoli landing. Other groups had been invited to take part in the parade, including: home servicemen, Air Training Corps, Women's Auxiliary, school cadets, boy scouts, girl guides and school representatives.

The group would march from the Drill Hall to the temporary cenotaph at the corner of Pollen & Pahau Street. Flowers and wreaths would be laid, then the group would enter the nearby Kings Theatre for the official proceedings. At the completion the official group would march back to the Drill Hall before being officially dismissed.

The pupils of Thames High, South and Central Schools held on the 24th, poppy cards were also sold to the pupils.

1945 April 25: (reported in the Thames Star 26 April). There was a good attendance at the ANZAC Day parade, floral tributes were laid at the temporary cenotaph at the corner of Cochrane and Pollen Streets. Mayor Sid Ensor presided over the service inside the King's Theatre. The marshall of the procession was Major S L Smith.Other s in the official party included Mr W R McNeillie (president of the RSA), Mr F C Tuck (Town clerk), Mr S Hira (Ngatimaru rep) and Rev E T Olds of Auckland.

Rev Olds the principal speaker at the service, had served in WWI. He spoke of the 1914-18 war, and that sadly World War Two was inevitable given the happenings in Germany. Sadly it was a betrayal to those old Anzacs that another conflict had broken out. "All they fought for seemed to have been lost in the great cataclysm of another war...Our job was to win and keep the peace."

ABOVE: This appears to be the temporary cenotaph that was still in use for the last time in 1961.

The following year a new cenotaph was erected outside the Thames War Memorial Hall in Mary Street.

The Thames Star 26 April reported the sad news that a Thames soldier had been Killed in Action in Italy, 15 April 1945. Private Patrick Colin was the son of the late A J Brien and his mother was Mrs M Robinson of Waiotahi Road, Thames.

  

Background Reading / Photos / Music:

• ANZAC DAY 6am & 10am Service 2019
• Lest We Forget 2018
• ANZAC Day 2017
• Lest We Forget 2014
• Recording of the Last Post at NZ Herald and at NZ History

UPDATE 5 May 2020

Many thanks to Althea & Sonia for taking the time to lay wreaths on Anzac morning, at the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre. Special thanks to all involved.

Lest We Forget

Thames (NZ): Looking back to 1970 in Thames

Day Three LOCKDOWN: 28 March 2020.

Take the challenge to remember what you were doing FIFTY YEARS AGO!

Okay, a difficult challenge for those not born before 1970, if so where were your parents living fifty years ago? What jobs did they do? Do you know what their lives were like eg Did they own a Car?

For many, this enforced 'lockdown' has meant we can't socialise and celebrate special events..

On this day, I was attending my sister's wedding at St James Church, Thames. The 'kitchen evening' held at the Osmond home. A good used car cost around $2000 (see advert below).

What else happened in March 1970 - as per reports from The Thames Star (TS) Newspaper:

TS 2 March: The National Party Rooms were being demolished to make for a new building (central Pollen Street).

TS 9 March: The new Coromandel State Forest Park had been opened Saturday 7 March.

TS 12 March: The Captain Cook Memorial was moved from the Kopu Bridge site to outside the Kopu Hall. (Photo right)

TS 16 March: A tramcar from Mr Newton's property at Kopu was taken to the Museum of Technology and Transport (MOTAT) for use in a display.

TS 18 March: Thames Shop-rite Supermarket owned by the Rolfe family, joined forces to become part of the New World Supermarket group. The business had originally started as William Scott's Bakery in 1880, before branching out into a grocery business in 1888.

TS 20 March: Twenty-four nurses and two radiographers graduated at Thames Hospital - this included Registered Nurses, Maternity Nurses and Community Nurses. (Photo below)

LOOKING BACK at January / February 1970

Major news was the production of the 1000th car at Campbell Industries Ltd. The Fishing Fleet reported Good catches. The new playground at Porritt Park was very popular over the summer months.

  

TAKE THE CHALLENGE: 

While the future at present is uncertain, take some time to think back. 

Even better jot down your memories! Who knows it may be the start of an article or book!

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): 1973 Message for Thamesites concerning Telephone Calls

Background (From blog 27 November 2011)

When did Thames get the telephone? In the Thames Star 6/3/1891, it was stressed that Thames needed a Telephone Exchange, that it would be a great asset to the Town. In order to get one, they needed to get 25 subscribers and put forward a petition. The following week, the District Hospital and Charitable Aids Board decided to put their name forward as a subscriber. By October 1892, the exchange was up and running. Initially there were some complaints about the hours the Exchange was open - on Christmas Day 1873 the hours were 9 to 10am. Normally the hours were 8am to 8pm.

THAMES STAR,  27 DECEMBER 1893

Telephone Services around New Zealand

"Telephonic communication was made a monopoly of the Telegraph Department soon after the first New Zealand trials of the new technology in the late 1870s. The colony’s first telephone exchange, in Christchurch’s Chief Post Office, had about 30 subscribers when it opened for business on 1 October 1881." https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/first-world-war-postal-service/1914

Thames Telephone Service 1936

Leaping forward to 1936, the new advertisements stressed that the telephone was no longer a luxury but a necessity! How ironic that now as we come near to the year 2020, many people are phasing out having a home phone line, once again having a home line is considered a Luxury! The reason being the changing market to mobile phones.

  

Thames Telephone Service Xmas 1973

The reason for this post, arose out of a caption that is in the Thames Star newspaper in 1973.

The photograph (below) was taken in the Thames Telephone Exchange, on the second floor of the Post Office, Pollen Street. The operators are busy at the switchboard, connecting local and toll calls.

Maybe this scene is unknown to some. When you wanted to make a phone call you picked up the phone and waited to be connected to your chosen number. "Number Please?" "839, thankyou"

The operator lifted the cord and placed it in the appropriate slot for the number chosen. What joy it was, when later the exchange became automatic, and you could dial the number you wanted.

The Caption for the Photograph

The avoidance of non-essential phone calls on Christmas Day will enable some telephone exchange operators, seen here at the Thames switchboard, to enjoy a Christmas meal at home.

How do you think that plea would be received on Christmas Day 2019? How times have changed.

Thames (NZ): Xmas Parade 13 December 2019

Where does the year go! Days rush past and here it was, time for the Thames Santa / Xmas Parade.

Change of day and time, this year held on a Friday at 6pm. The parade lasted approximately 30 minutes, and there was a wide variety of quality floats.

The photos below, tell the story, enjoy :)

 

 

 

 

 

 Thames Heritage Network's Float

 

 

 

 

 

  
 

Thames Museum

 

Thames Library

 

 

 

 

 

Thames Tongan Community