Thames (NZ): Te Apuranginui Urupā

 While visiting the Thames Small Gauge Railway, I noticed a beautiful old photo of the Thames School of Mines, on an information board.

The heritage sign in the carpark opposite the west end of Cochrane Street.

The text reads:

"This photo from 1900 shows, from left to right, the Mineralogical Museum, the Battery Room and the classroom buildings of the Thames School of Mines.

The site is a Māori urupā(burial site) part of which was gifted to the Wesleyan Church in 1868.  In 1886, the School of Mines bought the land and the 1869 Sunday School building.  Over time they added the buildings shown here.  Two additions after 1900 created the complex you see today."

The description is interesting considering the uproar that was caused when the Church sold the land to the School of Mines, considering the courtcase/s to try and stop the sale and return the land to the tangata whenua.

Te Apuranginui Urupā

On the Thames Thames School of Mine website the background to the name of the land is given. 

Chief Te Apurangi's descendants lie in the sacred urupā.  Te Apurangi was a most respected chief, and is represented in a carving in the House of Hotunui which is now housed in the Auckland war Memorial Museum.

Tarakonaiti Urupa

In a report written by John McEnteer and Taimoana Turoa in 1993 (Nga Taonga O Te Kauaeranga Maori Heritage of Thames) the name of the site is given as: Tarakonaiti Urupa. A summary of the points given in the report are:

• The Urupa was located at the corner of Cochrane and Brown Streets.
• The Urupa was the burial ground for the Tarakonaiti Pa.
• The nearby roads and several houses, as well as the School of Mines are located on the Urupa.
• The area covers blocks Te Kauaeranga 12A and 13A.
• The land was surveyed in 1868 and no roads were to be laid in the area.
• The land was gifted by the Maori landowners to the Wesleyan Church, for that purpose.
• In 1877 the church tried to sell the land to the Auckland Education Board.
• Hohepa Paraone and Hone Te Huiraukura petitioned Parliament to try and stop the sale.
• The petition was unsuccessful and after ten years of legislation the land was officially sold in 1886 for the purpose of the Thames School of Mines.

There are multiple reports regarding the 'land sale' that can be found online. Here is but one of the justifications reported for the sale:

Report on Petition of Hohepa Paraone and Another.

Petitioners, who are Natives of the Thames District, state they conveyed a piece of land at the Thames to the Wesleyan body, as they understood, for religious purposes only, but that they learn now with deep regret that it is proposed to sell it to the Education Board in Auckland, and they pray for such relief as may insure that the land in question shall be devoted to the purpose originally intended.

I am directed to report as follows:—

That, while the Committee have some reason to think that the proposed sale or transfer of the land in question is not in accordance with the intention under which it was originally given, the Committee do not feel able to recommend any course to the House which would have the effect of depriving the trustees of legal rights which are not denied by the petitioners.

 E whakaaro ana ano te Komiti he tika kahore i whakaritea kia taea te hoko te tuku ke atu ranei taua wahi i runga i nga whakaritenga i te tukunga o taua wahi i te tuatahi. Engari e mea ana te Komiti e kore e taea e ratou te mahi he tikanga ma te Whare e kore ai e taea e nga kai-tiaki te mahi i nga tikanga kua hoatu kia ratou e te ture kaore nei i te whaka hengia e nga kai inoi.

John Bryce,

Chairman.

30th October, 1877.

Source: REPORTS OF THE NATIVE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, 1877.

Thames (NZ): Labour Day at the Thames

Background:

"Labour Day commemorates the struggle for an eight-hour working day. New Zealand workers were among the first in the world to claim this right when, in 1840, the carpenter Samuel Parnell won an eight-hour day in Wellington. Labour Day was first celebrated in New Zealand on 28 October 1890, when several thousand trade union members and supporters attended parades in the main centres. Government employees were given the day off to attend the parades and many businesses closed for at least part of the day." Source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/politics/labour-day

LABOUR DAY at The Thames:

While the 28th October was originally designated as the public holiday, around the country demonstrations were also held to showcase workers' rights. While its not clear that Thames joined in, the newspaper did report fully the demonstrations held in Wellington on Labour Day 1891.

By 1900, Labour Day was the 10th October, a Wednesday. An impact for Thamesites was that there was only one mail delivery by the letter carrier.

THAMES STAR,  9 OCTOBER 1900 at PapersPast

In 1905, Labour Day was the 11th, the papers reminded everyone that Banks and Government Departments would be closed. Celebrations were still low key at Thames, while nearby Auckland had adopted a street procession on Labour Day.

By 1911, came the news that Labour Day had been 'Mondayised' to the 4th Monday in October. Then came the news that Mayor Lowe requested that all observe the Labour Day and Miners' Union Day. Miners' Union Day had typically mean a day of sports and demonstrations at Thames, held on the first Monday of the month - and usually observed as a public holiday.

THAMES STAR, 17 OCTOBER 1911 at PapersPast

Note that the Miners' Union Day had changed back in 1909 when they decided to align it with Labour Day, which was then the second Wednesday of October.

THAMES STAR,  31 DECEMBER 1909

Interesting in these early years, Thamesites usually celebrated these public holidays by taking an excursion to places such as Auckland. In 1911 they went in great numbers to Te Aroha. It was expected that 2-3,000 Thamesites and folk from Waihi would meet at the Te Aroha Domain for a picnic (free hot water provided). The excursionists were to be accompanied by the Thames Band!

During World War One, the town used the day to raise money for injured soldiers, by holding a Labour Day Carnival and procession in 1915. Excursions and Labour Day events continued through the years. Still in the 1920s, the emphasis thought was on Miners' Union Day - no doubt fired by the occupations relevance to the town and how they had to continually fight for better conditions and wages.

Source: Thames Museum Photograph Collection

1915 Procession - Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19151202-44-3

Some things never change! In 1920, came the announcement in the local newspaper that rubbish days in the borough would be one day later than scheduled due to Labour Day.

By the 1930s, it appears that retailers were having a few Labour Day Specials, even New Zealand Railway was tempting the excursionists with cheap fares! In 1930, the town held a procession which started at the Royal Hotel and went to the Thames High School in Sealey Street - where a large carnival and sports day was held.

  

THAMES STAR, 26 SEPTEMBER 1930

Throughout the 1930s, the Labour Day Committee organised a celebratory day. In 1937, a children's sports day was held at Victoria Park, and the Kings Theatre had an evening programme of entertainment. There were prizes for decorated bikes - which was won by M Wilton. The most original costume was awarded to D McKee. The best decorated pram / go-cart / trolley went to L McKee. C Barlow won the best children's pet display. Best dressed doll went to Jane Burgess. Awards were also made for runners-up in most categories.

When did Labour Day celebrations cease at The Thames?

A question I am not yet sure of!!! During the 1940s, there were Labour Day Balls held, and a few parades. If you can remember when the last commemoration was held, please let me know.

What is evident is that Thamesites of old, took the opportunity to relax and take time out from their usual routine. They delighted in using the day for a trip by boat or train to Hamilton or Auckland. While commemorating the true meaning of Labour Day!

Thames (NZ): When did 'The Thames' get named

How did the town of Thames get its name? The majority of people know there is a connection to the River Thames in England, and that Captain James Cook played a part in the name.

Background: 
An excellent article by David Wilton, comprehensively covers Captain Cook's visit to the area in 1769, Cook Landmarks at 'The Thames' (New Zealand), November 1769 is in The Treasury Journal.
"Cook named the Waihou as 'River Thames' as it reminded him of the Thames in England. He regarded the Firth of Thames as part of the river. The name 'Waihou' came back into common use during the 20th century, but the name for the firth has endured."

Above: Part of Captain Cook's map, showing the charting of the River Thames.

 Ref: PUBL-0037-25. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22751427

During the 1800s, the whole area became known as 'The Thames' including the Firth or Frith as its was more commonly named.

The first use of name The Thames:

1. 20‐21st November 1769: "The river at this height is as broad as the Thames at Greenwich, and the tide of flood as strong; it is not indeed quite so deep, but has water enough for vessels of more than a middle size, and a bottom of mud, so soft that nothing could take damage by running ashore. About three o’clock, we reimbarked, in order to return with the first of the ebb, and named the river the THAMES, it having some resemblance to our own river of that name." 

From the official record of the voyage written by John Hawkesworth and published in London in 1773.

2A. In Cook's journal on the 20th November 1769, he makes mention of the similarity with the River Thames in England.

Captain Cook

"Monday 20th Moderate breeze at SSE and fair weather. At 2 PM the Boats returnd from sounding not haveing found above 3 feet more water than where we now lay; upon this I resolved to go no farther with the Ship. but to examine the head of the Bay in the boats for as it appeared to run a good way inland I thought this a good oportunity to see a little of the Interior parts of the Country and its produce: Accordingly at Day light in the morning I set out with the Pinnace and Long boat accompaned by Mr Banks, DrSolander and Tobiaupia. We found the Bay inlet end in a ^fresh water River about 9 Miles above the Ship, Into which we enterd with the first of the flood and before we had gone 3 miles up it found the water quite fresh. We saw a number of the natives and landed at one of their Villages the Inhabitants of which received us with open arms, we made but a short stay with them but proceeded up the River untill near Noon, when finding the ^face of the Country to continue pretty much the same and no alteration in the Course or stream of the ^River or the least probillity of seeing the end of it, we landed on the West side in order to take a View of the lofty Trees which adorne its banks, being at this time 12 or 14 Miles within the entrance and here the tide of flood run as strong as it doth in the River T^hams below bridge."

2B. Captain Cook: Tuesday 21st "After land as above-mentioned we had not gone a hundred yards into the Woods before we found a tree that girted 19 feet 8 Inches, 6 feet above the Ground, and having a quadrant with me I found its length from the root to the first branch to be 89 feet. it was as streight as an arrow and taper'd but very little in proportion to its length. so that ^I judged that there was 356 solid feet of timber in this tree clear of the branches. We saw many others of the same sort several of which was half as long again were taller than the one we measured and all of them very stout; there were likewise many other sorts of very stout timber trees all of them wholy unknown to any of us we brought away a few specimans and at 3 oClock we embarqued in order to return on bioard with the very first of the Ebb ^ but not before we had named this River the Thames on account of its bearing some resemblence to that River in england."

NB. Dave Wilton, (author of the first article mentioned above), reminds us that the ship's day starts at midday, not midnight, so he's talking about the same 'day' in our terms.

Joseph Banks

3. In Joseph Bank's Journal 20th Nov: "Weather still thick and hazey. We had yesterday resolvd to employ this day in examining the bay so at day break we set out in the boats. A fresh breeze of wind soon carried us to the bottom of the bay, where we found a very fine river broad as the Thames at Greenwich tho not quite so deep, there was however water enough for vessels of more than a midling size and a bottom of mud so soft that nothing could possibly take damage by running ashore. About a mile up this was an Indian town built upon a small bank of Dry sand but totaly surrounded by Deep mud, so much so that I beleive they meant it a defence. The people came out in flocks upon the banks inviting us in, they had heard of us from our good freind Torava;.....As far as this the river had kept its depth and very little decreasd even in breadth; the Captn was so much pleasd with it that he resolvd to call it the Thames."

The Thames, was officially named by Captain James Cook on 20 November 1769. The name given because of the resemblance to The River Thames in England.

The Thames - further development of the name:

Before and after the opening of the goldfield, the area was known as The Thames. When the goldfield opened 1 August 1967, the name remained, but the areas of population became known as towns in their own right. Specifically: Shortland Town, Grahamstown - plus Parawai, Tararu, Tookey's Town, and the Moanataiari. While other settlement areas existed in the hills.

It was in 1873 that the name took a new meaning, when the townships joined together to be known as Thames. 

WELLINGTON INDEPENDENT, 7 NOVEMBER 1873

The Borough of Thames was official - gazetted in November 1873, and the first council meeting was held in 15 April 1874.

THAMES ADVERTISER, VOLUME VII, ISSUE 1790, 16 APRIL 1874

Conclusion:

The answer to the question of when Thames got 'its' name is 20 November 1769, by Captain James Cook. The town as a borough came into existence officially in 1873.

An interesting fact is that pioneers always called the town 'The Thames' rather than just 'Thames'.

References:

1. © Derived from Vols. II-III of the London 1773 edition: National Library of Australia call no. FERG 7243, page 353, 2004Published by South Seas, using the Web Academic Resource Publisher

To cite this page use: http://nla.gov.au/nla.cs-ss-jrnl-hv23-350

2.© Transcription of National Library of Australia, Manuscript 1 page 149, 2004Published by South Seas, using the Web Academic Resource Publisher

To cite this page use: http://nla.gov.au/nla.cs-ss-jrnl-cook-17691120

3. © Derived from State Library of NSW 1998 Transcription of Banks's Endeavour Journal page (vol.2) 87, 2004

Published by South Seas, using the Web Academic Resource Publisher

To cite this page use: http://nla.gov.au/nla.cs-ss-jrnl-banks-17691120

Further Reading:

Copies of the Journals and writings related to the voyages of Captain Cook and the Endeavour.

Thames (NZ): John William Hall Arboretum & Memorial Seat

While the heat descends on the town and country, a walk through the bush may be a pleasant activity. On our backdoor is the world renown arboretum - established by John William Hall, a chemist on the Thames Goldfield from late 1867.

Drive up Mount Sea Road to the top car park and you will see the two entrances to the arboretum.

There is a seat to stop and rest on (before or after), which has some glimpses of the sea through the trees below.

ABOVE: The rest area at the carpark at the top of Mount Sea Road. The track top right leads up the hill to the top of the arboretum and a lookout area. There is a track beyond, that is not complete and not recommended at this stage. You walk back down the track to the carpark area.

BELOW: Left: The seat has a memorial plaque - "In Loving Memory of RON HALL 1938 - 2017 Forever in our hearts" Right: View down to the lower track that does a circuit from Currie Street to Brunton Crescent Entrance and back up to Martin Street. There is a link to Korokoro Crescent entrance.

  

 

Enjoy the bush walks around Thames!

Further information:

The Thames-Coromandel District Council has details of the John William Hall Arboretum, including a downloadable pdf document.

Thames (NZ): Poetry & Sperry Home at Thames School of Mines

As the heritage festival weekend started to come to an end, a last lecture in the series was held at the Thames School of Mines. First, its great to see this room used for lectures/talks, and the atmosphere certainly sets the scene for a wide variety of topics.

Today Margaret Reid and Althea Loveday presented poems that they and others in their poetry group had written. Most of the group are nurses (current and past), with a few others welcomed to this new writers group. The poems were well researched, thus providing a historical view of the town. From mining to forestry, hotels to brothels, wealth to poverty, plus the role of women on the goldfield - a wide range of themes were covered.

In the photo (right) Althea is showing the Thames Hospital armband on the WWI Commemorative uniform that Margaret is wearing. The nurses must be commended for their attention to detail, and the way they have kept the memories of our WWI Nurses alive.

Below are three photos showing nurses from Thames Hospital wearing the armband in the 1910s. It appears to have been something not uncommon for the time. Was it a patriotic thing? Or part of recognition for having trained at Thames Hospital School of Nursing? Auckland Hospital also had an armband during this period.

  

The morning lecture finished with an overview of Sperry Home by Althea Loveday. Janet Waddell and her daughter Bella Smith delivered over 200 babies at their private maternity home at Sperry Lane.

 

Special thanks to the Thames School of Mines for their hospitality and the refreshments that were available at the Thames Bridge Club.

Thames (NZ): 150 Years Commemorative Sculpture erected near Kauaeranga Bridge

Back on August 1 2017, there was talk of a sculpture to be erected to represent the opening of the goldfield and the partnership that developed between local Iwi and the new settlers.

On 12 March 2018, the completed statue was placed on a site just south of the Kauaeranga Bridge, on the west side of the Ngati Maru Highway, just past Rhodes Park (and the WWI Commemorative Forest). At dawn, a blessing was performed by local Iwi Ngati Maru and  on Wednesday 14th the public dedication was held.

The 150th Commemorative Sculpture. While it is initially hard to even spot, as it blends against the trees behind it. Maybe this is not a bad thing and depicts a blending of the cultures and the merging of peoples on the goldfield. When you get closer to the sculpture, the detail and colours are very distinct.

A full report appeared in today's Hauraki Herald and is reprinted on Stuff.co.nz. Snippets below:

"A new sculpture at the Kauaeranga River bridge near Rhodes Park celebrates the cultures and history of Thames. The Thames southern gateway sculpture marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of the Thames goldfields.

Master carver Darin Jenkins created the sculpture, which is embellished with Maori and Celtic design and large cogs and gears made from the A&G Price foundry. He was helped by Jason Tanna, Jackson Jenkins and Tyla Hart.

The piece shows two stylised figures embracing, standing on a rounded piece of stone that resembles a mussel shell. The base was carved from Katikati basalt by Tapu stone sculptor Jocelyn Pratt, and the metal work was completed by Thames artist John McKeowen.

The sculpture represents the region's past, present and future, merging the cultures, industry and history of the area. Thames Community Board commissioned local iwi Ngati Maru to complete the piece with $50,000 the board had put aside to recognise the town's 150th."

A selection of photographs, showing the statue from various angles follows.

 

The Statue sits on a piece of basalt from Katikati (by Jocelyn Pratt) and resembles a mussel shell.

The iron work is from cogs and gears from A & G Price (by John McKeowen).

The carvings were overseen by Master Carver Darin Jenkins, and is of two figures embracing.

 

ABOVE: Each aspect of the statue reveals a new interpretation, and shows different detail of carving, ironwork and stone work. 

 BELOW: A closer look  at the 2nd 'face' that is angled to the north-east and closest to the Kauaeranga River.

 

A view looking from the back of the new carving/statue towards Totara.

Thames (NZ): Friendship Plaques revealed

Back in 2016, I researched and published a booklet on "Thames Memorials and Plaques."
At the time, I was confident that I had found and documented most of the plaques and memorials in the town - well alas I have found an interesting spot on the foreshore just north of Pak'n Save that proves I was wrong!

 

 The plaques are located on the western side of the walkway. The area is marked with a large piece of granite rock, surrounded by trees, with small plaques scattered around on the end of wooden piles. The sad thing is that the area is somewhat overgrown, and on the day I visited full of rubbish.

The area has been established by the Thames Coromandel Friendship Force Club, the sign below states that they are one of 500 clubs in over 50 countries around the world.

There is a large piece of granite rock (photos below), that was donated by the Ward Family. Then, there are small plaques that denote when a group from another country visited the Thames group.

  

Clubs that have visited include: Greater Manchester (2017), RioDe Janeiro (2017), USA groups (2012, 2013, 2016), Germany/Austria (2015), Noumea (2012), and Melbourne (2014).

The names of trees planted are also identified. The Naio tree below was said to have been planted by the Friendship Force of Thames Coromandel, in celebration of the Millennium in 2000. (photo below)

 

Next time you are passing, stop and read the plaques and admire the variety of trees that have been planted adjacent to the entry of the walkway.

Further Information.

Details on the Friendship Club available online.

Thames (NZ): New Lions Club Heritage sign at the old Courthouse in Queen Street

The Thames Lions Club continue on their major project of upgrading the 'yellow signs' around the town. An enormous task, but a welcome addition - as the new yellow signs also feature a photoboard with more information about the historic item or place. The new sign for the "Old Courthouse" is on the right.

The first Courthouse had been in Grey Street, in the thriving town of Shortland. Then in 1870 the new Government buildings were opened in Grahamstown, in Queen Street, just south of the Albert Street intersect.

The grand building contained the Courthouse, Police Station, and Post & Telegraph Offices. These were busy departments during the Goldfield days. The land was originally leased from property developer Robert Graham. Construction of the building began in 1869, and it opened 1870 at a cost of £3941. Structural alterations were made over the decades, including the Police Station moving north to a purpose built building in 1909.

Just part of the old courthouse remains to this day, along with the later brick Police Station. The current Police Station and Courthouse are located further south, on Queen Street. 
The new snippets on the latest board can be found from various postings on this blog over the past years.

 

The top photograph of the people outside the Post Office that was part of the Government building complex, featured in a post in 2015. (enlargement below)

The lower photograph showed the Thames Post and Telegraph staff outside the building in 1903. This photograph featured in a blog on "Messenger Boys" in September 2016.

Thames (NZ): New 'Sun Dial' Direction Finder at the Peace Memorial

Awhile back we wrote about the sun dial that once stood proudly in front of the WWI Peace Memorial on the Waiotahi Spur - accessed via Waiotahi Creek Road - Monument Road.

1972 View of the Sun Dial/Direction Finder at the WWI Peace Memorial

https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=24805249&digital=yes

Due to vandalism, the 'object' was removed a few years back and the base has been standing incomplete for sometime. There was talk at last years Armistice Day, that a replacement top plaque may be imminent.

2016 view of the base where once the Sun Dial stood.

 Well, this Armistice Day (2017), a new dial is in place, and looks magnificent. I would say more correctly these days we would have to label it a 'Direction finder'. While the photograph was being taken, there were several family groups at the memorial and all were fascinated with the direction finder. Interesting to hear everyone checking locations and distances and other facts that are recorded on the 'plaque'.

 

Special thanks to everyone who was involved in getting this project from planning to completion :)

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!