Thames (NZ): Captain Cook's visit in 1769

While the town prepares for the 150th Commemorations for the Thames Goldfield, there is another milestone on the horizon. That of November 2019, when the area will remember the 250th Anniversary of Captain Cook's visit to the area.

Already, the Cook's Landing Memorial near Netherton has been given a complete makeover. Large information plaques give full information on the momentous visit. (see photos below)

Thames (NZ): More Holidays at Waihi Beach & Bowentown

More on Waihi beach, a favourite for many Thamesite, especially before the Kopu-Hikuai road opened up the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula.

During the depression years my mother's family lived in the squatter's bachs at Bowentown aka Anzac Bay. (Photos below)

 

Description: ON THE COAST, NEAR BOWENTOWN, TAURANGA HARBOUR, EAST COAST, NORTH ISLAND.
Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19100526-10-3 '

When the tide was low at Bowentown, there was always the surf at Waihi Beach to swim in.

JOYS OF SURFING AT WAIHI BEACH: A MERRY BATHING PARTY IN THE BREAKERS.
Source: Auckland Weekly News 13 January 1927 p037 Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19270113-37-2

PROGRESSIVE OF A POPULAR NORTH ISLAND SUMMER SEASIDE RESORT: ELECTRIC POWER SUPPLY OFFICIALLY SWITCHED ON IN THE WAIHI BEACH AREA .
Source: 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19321221-37-3 Auckland Weekly News 21 Dec 1932

Description A motorists' canvastown on the ocean foreshore at popular Waihi Beach.
Source: Auckland Weekly News 23 DECEMBER 1936 p049 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19361223-49-1'

 Looking for Information on Waihi & Waihi Beach?

Book: The Why, How, When and Where of The Waihi Beach Story, by Hank Hanlen

Online at: The Ohinemuri Journal and The Waihi Museum

Thames (NZ): Church at Kirikiri

On 30 November 1874, a new church was opened at Kirikiri.

Anglican Church Kopu
Source: The Ohinemuri Journal

"The new church, which has been built at the Kirikiri native settlement, Thames River; was formally opened for service yesterday. The building is weatherboard, carefully lined and finished, has Gothic windows, and is in every respect a very neat ecclesiastical structure. At the west end there is a belfry, on which there is a good bell suspended, and over the porch there is a neat cross erected. Over the chancel there are beautifully illuminated texts in the Maori language, which were sent from England by Miss Weald, a lady who takes a very great interest in the Maori mission, particularly in this diocese." Thames Star 1 December 1874

 We know exactly what the church looked like even today, thanks to a report in the Thames Advertiser 30 January 1886. When the Maori Mission Church was replaced at Parawai, the church was replicated.  "The dimensions will be the same as those of the Kirikiri Church, and the plans for that building will also be adhered to."

Further details are in the Ohinemuri Journal:

By Rev. GORDON KAA

The old Anglican Church at Kopu, demolished in recent years, stood near the Hikuai road turn off. The details of its building is recorded in the diary of the late Mr Tiki Reihana:-

Te Whare Karakaia kei Kirikiri

 

The translation reads -

• 28/3/1874. The timber was milled for the Church.
• 19/5/1874. The foundation blocks arrived. It was built during: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.
• 27/11/1874. They finished painting.
• 28/11/1874. The pews were bought.
• 29/11/1874. The Rev’s Wirema Tepea and Wiremu Pomare were ordained to priesthood.
• 30/11/1874. The Church was opened and dedicated.

In the Auckland Weekly News I July 1909, is the photo of a wedding at Kerikeri, Thames, with what looks like the church on the left. Was there another building next to it that was used by the Mormon Church? Is Kerikeri - Kirikiri?

DO YOU RECOGNISE ANY OF THESE PEOPLE?

 

The description reads: THE SPREAD OF MORMONISM AMONGST THE MAORIS: A MAORI WEDDING WHICH WAS CONDUCTED RECENTLY IN THE MORMON CHURCH AT KERIKERI, THAMES, AUCKLAND.
Source: Auckland Weekly News 01 JULY 1909 p005 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19090701-5-4 .

Do you have any photos of the Church before it was demolished?

Thames (NZ): Waihi and Waihi Beach connections

Many Thames families have connections to the Waihi-Waihi Beach area. When the Ohinemuri Goldfield opened, many Thames miners moved south and then ended up staying in the Waihi area working at places like the Martha Mine.

Waihi Beach was always a popular place for a day trip or holiday. How strange people would find it today, to see cars driving along the beach or parking at the waters edge. It was not without its danger, as many a car got stuck and needed assistance to get free. We all were skilled at getting a car out by digging around the tyres. Yes, and we realise now that environmentally it wasn't a great thing to do!!

What memories do you have of the greater Thames area?

The Treasury at Thames is co-ordinating a series of 'True Tales' books from right around the Coromandel-Hauraki District. They would love stories from these areas, both recent and old.
They must be about the name of the town or area in the title.  They mustn’t be longer than 1500 words (about 2 typewritten pages or three handwritten pages) and need to contain some photos.  They can be early or recent tales.  They can be about people, places, organisations, buildings, memories, events, humour, tragedy. These little snippets are a great way of recording interesting community history which won’t make it into the history books and will be forgotten if not recorded in some way. CONTACT the TREASURY for more information.


COASTAL RENDEZVOUS: WAIHI BEACH, AUCKLAND EAST COAST, MAINTAINS ITS NEW YEAR POPULARITY
Source: Auckland Weekly News 18 JANUARY 1939

Further information:

 

The northern Coromandel area have three 'True Tales" books that are available to purchase at The Treasury, Thames.

 

TRUE TALES OF NORTHERN COROMANDEL, MORE TRUE TALES OF NORTHERN COROMANDEL, and EVEN MORE TRUE TALES OF NORTHERN COROMANDEL

Thames (NZ): Hauraki Plains first cattle sale 1912

Many Thamesites turned to farming after the mining finished, especially as the land on the Hauraki Plains was drained and developed. Some men returning from war were lucky enough to get a land ballot, that would set them up as farmers for generations to come. Places like the libraries around Thames have books that cover many of these stories, as well as The Treasury. Information can be found in book, maps and oral history format. The electoral rolls also give information on early farmers around the district.

 

Books such as "The Hauraki Plains Story" by R E Tye  and history books covering the Hauraki Plains by Ken Clover - have been indexed at The Treasury.

 

The photo below is labelled as the first cattle sale on the Hauraki Plains in 1912. It was labelled as A SURE SIGN OF PROGRESS.  Bert Dunlop conducted the sale on behalf of the Farmers Auctioneering Company. Until the late 1900s there were numerous sale-yards all over the Coromandel Peninsula/Hauraki area. They were busy days. Places like the Kopu Sale-yards full of stock. Times have changed and while some still exist, their role has changed.

' Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19120502-13-1
Auckland Weekly News 2/05/1912



Thames Star 22 April 1912

 

In 1910 large blocks of land had gone on sale at Pipiroa. Click on the link to view the full details of the sales. If you right click and save the image, you can enlarge it and view in detail the farming blocks that were for sale.

A small snippet of the map is below.

Source: 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZ Map 4337'

 

 

Thames (NZ): Historic Karangahake

When mining started on the Ohinemuri Goldfield, many miners from Thames went south towards Paeroa, Waihi and Te Aroha - ever hopeful of the riches that gold promised. At the least they hoped for regular employment in the big mines that were established. From the late 1870s onward, many of our Thamesite families settled in these areas, while some stayed many would later return to Thames and find alternate employment.

 

Looking at the Karangahake Reserve area today - it is hard to believe that this was once a busy, bustling mining township.

Karangahake Township with Talisman Battery on the right
Photo courtesy of: L Gleeson

Details of Karangahake that appeared in the 1902 Cyclopedia of New Zealand, Auckland Edition:

Karangahake is situated on the bank of the Ohinemuri river. The main road to Waihi passes through the township. On the opposite side of the river are the batteries of the New Zealand, Talisman, Woodstock, and New Zealand Crown mines. Like Waitekauri, Waihi and Waikino, Karangahake is under the jurisdiction of the Ohinemuri County Council. A street water supply has been laid on, and the township has a public hall, two hotels, and a fair number of stores and business places. Numerous coaches run daily through the township, which is situated in a gorge formed by the Ohinemuri river, the hills on each side being close and fairly high. Karangahake is five miles from Paeroa, and four miles from Waikino.

The area is busy today with holidaymakers and tourists, who can pause and enjoy the heritage walks in the area.