Thames (NZ): Another look at the Waiotahi Aqueduct

A quick update on yesterdays post. I came across one of my postcards that gives us a birds-eye view of the aqueduct. What an amazing and imposing structure that dominated the landscape for decades (along with others).

If it was there today, the Waiotahi Aqueduct would be located on the north side of Burke Street - to the right of the building at the far right in the photo below.

A close-up of the 1910-20 view, shows men walking along the structure, maybe doing repairs or checking the integrity of the aqueduct.

Thames (NZ): Appreciating The Thames - the Covid-19 journey

Day Seven LOCKDOWN: 1 April 2020.

APPRECIATING THE THAMES

All this so called time and what do you do with it each day?

How will history remember this time in our town?

I realise now I should have kept a diary from the start, and will begin one on a separate page, while concentrating the main blog entries on topics for some lighter relief. Why? Just to hide from the reality - so this will be my switch off time.

Take the Challenge: Keep a diary from now on if you have not already started it, and record life in lockdown. I have put this challenge to a group I am part of an, and all going well we will convert our thoughts to print when / if the pandemic ends!

Whats happening at Thames? People have interpreted 'walking in your neighbourhood' as taking treks from one end of town to another. The cyclists cruise the streets. You see people walking past you have never seen in your life! Cars full of people drive on by, some people have regular visitors.  People refuse to stop going fishing, or still indulge in mingling with non-bubble members. On-line shopping has increased so much, that it is booked fully, while the older members of our community are left wondering how to keep up a supply of food. Pak'n Save Supermarket continues to have long lines, especially on benefit days. Yes and flour has proved to be the product that everyone wants, as is the case throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Yes, I will record for history, that so far there are many who have have a very flexible interpretation of STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES.

WHAT DO YOU APPRECIATE ABOUT THAMES:

Maybe this is a wake up call to stop and walk our lovely streets. I know for one I miss even the beach at Kuranui Bay - I cant walk there! In fact I don't leave the property for my walk.

There is one thing though, or rather a landmark that watches over me - the KARAKA HILL aka The Una. 

Have you ever done a pepeha?

It Starts With: Ko ____________ te māunga 

(The mountain that I affiliate to is _________________________)

For me having lived within a few blocks of the Una, and spent my childhood running up and down, collecting pine combs and blackberries - this is definitely 'my mountain'.

KARAKA HILL at PapersPast:

If you use this search term ("Karaka Hill") at Paperspast, there are 490 results.

The references principally relate to mining claims and their locations.

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, 22 JANUARY 1870

There was a report in 1870, that will be something many of you have seen - the Una / Karaka Hill on fire. 

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS,  29 JANUARY 1870

There are mentions of Karaka Hill as being the address in Birth and Death Notices. While many of these residences were no doubt in the area we today know has Karaka Road.

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS,  ISSUE 4093, 3 OCTOBER 1870

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, 5 JUNE 1871

By comparison, if you search 'Una Hill' there are 1577 search hits to explore.

CLOSING: What is YOUR Thames Mountain, that you feel most affiliated to - we have several to choose from Parawai to Tararu. Interestingly, for many old Thamesites, it is probably  Te Kohatu-whakairi-a-Ngatoroirangi aka Table Mountain - as you travel across the Plains it reminds you that you are nearly home!

A classic old view over Thames from The Una.

Kia Kaha - Stay Strong, Stay Safe Thamesites.

Thames (NZ): Missing people at Butt's Corner, Pollen Street c1870

Just a quick post about 'ghost' figures or rather figures that appear as a blur in the early photographs of the Thames.

Now to one of my favourite (often revisited) photographs taken from the corner of Pollen & Grey Streets. Shortland Town (Thames).

Captain Butt's iconic Shortland Hotel, that stands to this day, although remodelled and rebuilt many times.

The street is a mess, typical of the streets on the Thames Goldfield - once the rain came they turned to a mud and bog.

A closer view, and you can spot the markings along the wall, particularly near the main entrance. I have heard all-sorts of explanations: Flood markings, horse rubbings, dirt from the road and so on.

A glance today, and I saw the photo in a whole new light. The blurs now clearly (in my eyes at least) men standing outside the Shortland Hotel. The 'blurred' effect that they must have got sick of waiting and moved!? Anyway thats my new version of the 'ghostly' blurs outside Butt's hotel. 

There are other examples we have looked at in previous blogs. Maybe you can find some more examples of "ghostly" images at The Thames?

Thames (NZ): Finding / Making Panoramic Views of Thames

Do you love looking at photos of the old Thames Goldfield?
Trying to recognise landmarks and where the photo was taken?
May be you have a favourite photographer? Maybe it is Henry Albert Frith.

Did early photographers take Panoramic Views of the Thames? There are examples where you see a wide angled view of the town, then find the photographer in question had taken several images to later 'join' them together.

There are two photographs by Frith of the Tookey Flat area, that are a great example of a photographer standing and taking an image - then turning to take another.

• Take a look at Photograph One that showcases the Kuranui Hotel. Have you ever seen a similar view, that could include the view to the right (south) towards the Waiotahi and Grahamstown.

Photograph One - Thames Gold Field

• Now lets look at Photograph Two, that features the Prince Alfred Hotel situated on the flat, west of the Moanataiari Valley.

Photograph Two - Prince Alfred Hotel

Did you spot anything in the above photographs that could be a common point, a shared view that would allow a wider panoramic view to be constructed. 

 

Snip from Photograph One (left) and Two (right)

• Using the buildings above as a joining point, here is what a panoramic view /wider view looks like of the Tookey Flat / Moanataiari area.

  

Combined view of Photograph One and Two (Above colours unchanged and Below a sepia view)

Homework! Take the challenge. Look for photographs of Thames - find ones that can be combined to give a wider view of the town. This may help you identify landmarks and be able to see the town through the eyes of our ancestors.

Thames (NZ): Checkout the 2019 History Gems

Tourist / History Attractions at The Thames

Before 1900, what did our Thamesites and their visitors consider to be "worth seeing"? While the history of the tangata whenua at 'The Kauaeranga' is another issue, what did our ancestors deem a tourist attraction?

Thamesites of old, loved to visit the Tararu and Spencer's Gardens (Parawai). They ventured up into the bush to admire the Giant Kauri and admire the view over their town. There was always the excitement of travelling on the steam tram or later the steam locomotives. A cruise up the Waihou or across the Firth of Thames to Auckland. Our Thamesites were living the development of Pākehā settler history at The Thames - aspects that we celebrate and remember today.

Present day History Attractions at The Thames

There are groups in the town that aim to preserve and celebrate the history of the goldfield town fondly known as The Thames. A new pamphlet is currently being distributed by the Thames Heritage Network. If you visit our town, or live nearby, I hope you can find time to visit one of fabulous seven attractions. BUT, please remember there are also many more attractions that do not fall under a society: Shortland, Tararu and Totara Cemeteries; WWI Memorials (Rhodes Park, Civic Centre & Waiotahi Hill) and a large group of landmarks that are commemorated by the Lions Club yellow heritage signs.

Thames Heritage Network Pamphlet

Looking for something to do in Thames?

Visit one of the attractions above.

Even better, 

become a volunteer / member of our history groups.

Thames (NZ): Victoria Park revisited through the lens of William A Price

Early 1900s: Victoria Reserve and waterfront, Thames.
Ref: 1/2-001550-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23019249

We were talking about the Pacific Hotel a few weeks back, this phototograph by William A Price was taken from the hotel, looking west at Victoria Park. A great view that shows the inner boundary footpath that was around the inner perimeter of the park. The photograph was one of several taken by William A Price of landmarls around the town of Thames in the early 1900s.

Above Present day Google map street view. From the site where the Pacific Hotel stood, looking down Albert Street. The end of Albert Street that led to the wharf and railway line.

A Closer Look:

There is no sign of the old wharf that was quickly erected when the goldfield opened.

The road way access is in poor condition.

There are fishing nets drying on the poles centre left.

The man on the right looks like he has been for his morning paper!

There is a sign in the centre - maybe it says keep away from the new trees!

Who was William A Price (1866-1948):

Name Price, William Archer
Studio address Queen Street, Northcote 1911;Herne Bay, Auckland City 1937?
Known years of operation 1911 to 1937
Source Auckland Directory (1911), p314; J B Turner, History of Photography in New Zealand (1986), p5; Main and Jackson, "Wish You Were Here" (2005), p73.
Remarks William Archer Price 1866-1948 began publishing postcards around 1906 and was initially based in Wanganui, before moving to Northcote (Auckland) around 1907, then on to Herne Bay, and finally Ponsonby. His early postcards were imprinted "The W.A.P Colour Photographic Series. Wanganui Photo Co NZ", which became "Wanganui Photo Co, Northcote, Auckland, NZ", and then "W.A. Price Photo Co".

Source: Photographers Database, Auckland Libraries  

Numbering on Photographs:

Photographers typically numbered their postcard views. In the case of the above Price photograph, it is numbered 1390D. Below left is 1391D and on the right 1389D - they are all views taken in Prices' panorama view of Victoria Park.

 

Above left: Caption: Victoria Park, Thames. Ref: 1/2-001166-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22795620

Above right: Caption: Victoria Reserve, Thames. Ref: 1/2-001548-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22801191

Thames (NZ): Do you know the history of our reserves and parks?

Dotted around the town are reserve spaces, these are spaces that are set aside for the community. Our local council maintains these, and decides how they can be used. At present a consultation process is underway to get feedback on how the town wants these areas used and maintained into the future.

You have a chance to shape the future history of our town. The Thames and Thames Coast Managements Plan is under Review, and makes excellent reading. The draft plan is available for viewing online or to download.

Here is a list of the reserves for Thames that are in the draft report: (with page number from the contents page)

Bright Smile Mine Reserve:19; Burke Street Beachfront Reserve: 46; Campbell Street Reserve: 20; Dickson Park: 38; Former Burke Street Landfill: 76; Hauraki Terrace Reserve: 21; Herewaka Stream Reserve:57; Irishtown Reserve:  58; Karaka Reserve: 59; Kauaeranga River Esplanade: 60; Kauaeranga Valley – Devcich Ford Reserve: 60; Kauaeranga Valley – Historic Reserve: 61; Kauaeranga Valley – The Booms: 61; Kauaeranga Valley Road Reserve: 62; Kuranui Bay Reserve: 22; Marshall Crescent Walkway:77; Mount Sea Reserve: 64; Ngarimu Bay Reserve: 23; Porritt Park: 24,77; Queen Street Reserve: 25; Rhodes Park:12,67; Taipari Park: 78; Tararu Beachfront North/South Reserve: 27,28; Tararu Creek Reserve: 69; Thames Coastal Walkway – Danby Field: 76; Thames Coastal Walkway – Goldfields: 49; Thames Coastal Walkway – South: 50; Thames Historical Museum: 15; Thames War Memorial Reserve: 16; The Booms Reserve: 33; Victoria Park: 34; Waikiekie Historic/Stream Reserves: 73; William Hall Reserve: 40

THAMES STAR, 30 MAY 1928

Who knew we had so many!!!

ISSUES:

A few fall under the Treaty of Waitangi Settlement for the area, such as Taipari Park. 

There are interesting comments for several reserves that adjoin beaches - that the boundary of some are in doubt as private landowners may have encroached on the reserve over the years.

HISTORY OF EACH RESERVE:
The report thoroughly covers the land title names and ownership plus other issues.

Rhodes Park one of our best known parks opened 4 June 1928.

A key issue now and for the future of Rhodes Park is flooding, from the Kauaeranga River and overflow from the spillway. Flooding has been a problem since the land was first used.

Rhodes Park during the 1936 Flood

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19360205-54-1

Porritt Park, the report acknowledges that the park was named after Governor General Sir Arthur Porritt in 1969, but fails to cover the history on its development.

The playground was officially opened on Thursday 19 December 1929. It was known as the Diamond Jubilee Children's Playground. Opened by the Mayor Mr W Bongard.

Source: Thames Playground

The loss of the play ship The Wakatere is also not mentioned, along with the promises made at the time of demolition to build a smaller replacement at the southern end of the playground.

The Wakatere, the real ship (1906) top and the playship prior to demolition

Victoria Park history also has some discrepancies. It states in the TCDC report:

"A celebration on the 10 November 1902 (King Georges birthday), included an upgrade of the reserve, including the dedication of the band rotunda and the laying of the Troopers memorial foundation stone."

While the Band Rotunda dates back to 1902 on the present site, the South African War Memorial was first at the corner of Mary & Pollen Street and only moved to Victoria Park in the late 1910s.

Above: Opening of the Band Rotunda 10 November 1902

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19021127-2-3

Below: Laying the Foundation Stone for the SA War Memorial, cnr Pollen & Mary St, 10 November 1902

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19021127-2-4

MAKE COMMENTS on the Report

I hope you find time to read the full report, it makes interesting historical reading. This is our chance to shape the history of the reserves! So please give your feedback.

Thames (NZ): 'Sculpture' miner near Albert Street

Thames has  a growing number of artworks placed along the walkway / cycleway. While many are complicated and in some cases controversial as to their relevance, some of the best ones shine in their simplicity.

The ones in question have been made by Bruce Harper of Thames. Sadly they are so good, that they are often stolen or damaged!

ABOVE: The sculpture north of the Victoria Park tennis courts.

  

ABOVE Left: an old Digger up the Karaka Creek 1909

Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, NZG-19090721-20-1

ABOVE Right: A close-up of the 'digger' sculpture, Thames Foreshore.

Prospectors were a hardy breed, always hopeful that the 'big find' was in the next spot they mined.

So as you wander around the town keep a look-out for the other sculptures made by Bruce. Out by the "Welcome sign' to Thames, at the end of Albert Street, by the Croquet club, and sitting on the remains of the old Burke Street wharf.

Thames (NZ): New seat and plaque at Victoria Park

We often groan about the mangroves and how our view of the Firth has disappeared - so its nice to go somewhere and be reminded that YES we do live beside the seaside!

Parts of the coastal walkway along the foreshore of Thames allow us to find glimpses of the sea. Not much joy on the stretch from the Shortland Wharf, north to Pak'n Save...but then there are open views by the bird hide. Venture further north to the small gauge railway and you get to see the sea at last, on the pathway to Albert Street.

A perfect place for a seat or two, has often been my plea. Like the old days, when Thamesites relaxed at the park. (photographs below)

The walkway in the early 1900s, did the circuit around the park, small trees dotted the grounds, and beautiful seats lined the pathway.

Today the coastal walkway shelters behind the rock wall adjacent to the Firth. Thamesites have again found their love of walking, and you very rarely ever wander along with out meeting someone (and a few dogs).

Between the tennis courts and Albert Street, there now is a grand, sturdy seat - which allows the pedestrian to pause and view the sea, or face towards the Waiotahi Hill and the Peace Memorial.

Jean Helen Harison (1933-1995) & Christopher Stratford Harison (1929-2018)

There is a plaque on both sides of the seat which simply reads "In Memory of Chris & Jean Harison."

The Harison's came to Thames in 1975, both had jobs at Thames Hospital. Mr Harison was the first fulltime obstetrician / gynaecologist for the Thames Hospital Board and worked tirelessly to advance obstetric care on the Coromandel Peninsula. Chris retired in 1992.

Next time you are out walking, stop for a minute and enjoy the views from 'our' new seat.

Special thanks to everyone who is involved with establishing the seating along the walkway.

Thames (NZ): The Bella Street Pumphouse

For some time I have had 'story on the pumphouse' on the urgent to-do list.While it has been covered before, a new photo allows us to take a second look at the Bella Street attraction.

Just as I was about to start I got the latest New Zealand Memories Magazine from the Thames Library. (Issue 138) There is a four page article "The Bella Street Pumphouse" by Bella Street Pumphouse Society.

The problems of groundwater and the impact it had on mining are discussed. Hence the "Hauraki Mining Company constructed the Thames Hauraki Pump House (now called the Bella Street Pumphouse) at the site of the Queen of Beauty Mine, in 1898." page 8

Thames Hauraki Pump and Shaft c1900 (St James Church Spire built 1898 can be seen top left)

The Bella Street Pumphouse Society bought the old building in 1990 and have worked tirelessly to restore and replicate many of the old pumphouse features. Replacing the poppet head is the next thing on the agenda for the hardworking society.

The poppet heads that were dotted around the town, were built over mine shafts and housed the mechanism to lower cages up and down the shaft - carrying miners to and fro, along with transporting ore to the surface.

The Poppet head and Pump House under Construction
Now at last to the photo that triggered the need for the post. The poppet head looks near completed, while the boilers are just arriving - the building of the pumphouse underway.

Big Pump under construction, corner Bella, Cochrane Streets and Waiokaraka Road.

Source: Thames Museum Collection

The men atop the poppet head.

There is so much to see in the photo: the houses along Bella and Mackay Street at the top; the boiler and team of horses that had just come from A & G Price Foundry: and the second St James Church has been moved to face Pahau Street (awaiting the building of a new church). Plus much more!

Poppet Head facts:
"The four legs of the poppet head were made of kauri. They were approximately 19.8m long measuring 76cm at the base and tapering to 45cm at the top. Each leg was set in sole pieces and were firmly embedded in concrete. The whole structure was firmly braced together. On top were two sheave wheels 2.7m in diameter. The whole structure was capable of bearing a transverse working strain of 400 tons."
Source: https://www.bellastreetpumphouse.com/about-the-pumphouse.html

Delivery of a boiler, Bella Street, Thames.

Background news reports:
THAMES STAR, 14 DECEMBER 1896: Work was ready to begin on the new poppet head.

THAMES STAR, 31 MAY 1897: Work on concrete foundations for pumping plant advanced, plus good progress on the brickworks which included the large chimney.

THAMES STAR, 26 JUNE 1897: The third boiler had been delivered. Photographer Mr Foy was on hand to take photographs including some of the poppet head and chimney.

THAMES STAR, 20 DECEMBER 1898: Opening of the Thames - Hauraki Pumping Plant.

Crowds assembled outside the Thames Hauraki Pumping Works for the opening 19 December 1898.

Source: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-18981230-3-2

Below: 2016 view of the Bella Street Pumphouse.

Thames (NZ): Local heritage features in two magazines

Heritage stories related to the Thames, appear in two national publications this month. Articles appear in the New Zealand Legacy, the journal of the New Zealand History Federation; and secondly in the winter edition of New Zealand Heritage.

STORY ONE
In New Zealand Legacy (Vol 31, no 1), is a story by David Verran entitled James Cook (1728-1779) and New Zealand. Then a follow-on by Robin Astridge Preparation for a 250th Commemoration. The story centres around Cook's furtherest landing up the Waihou River and the monument that now sits near Netherton on Hauraki Road. Interestingly no mention is made of the memorial cairn that was at Kopu.

A comprehensive and well researched article on Captain Cook's 1769 visit to the Firth of Thames appears in The Treasury Journal. Written by Thamesite Dave Wilton - Cook Landmarks at 'The Thames' (New Zealand), November 1769. 
Dave has recreated details of Cook's visit using his expertise of maps and archaeology - mixed with extensive field work. The mystery of the whereabouts of the Kahikatea tree measured by Cook is also discussed.

Cook's Landing Memorial near Netherton 

Further Reading: Blog story on the Hauraki Road Monument.

STORY TWO:
In the New Zealand Heritage Magazine (Issue 153 Winter 2019), there is a two page story on our three pillar boxes, titled Stay Posted by Jamie Douglas. The category two heritage items are the oldest in the North Island and second oldest behind one located in Nelson. The new thing in this article is that two of the pillar boxes were installed in 1869 and the third in 1877. Confirmation of this date would be of interest if anyone has found those details.

There is also an article in The Treasury Journal related to these letterboxes and the family connection to letter carrier Charles Rowley. Title Thames Letter Carrier and Entrepreneur, Goldminer and Miners' Advocate by Lisa Donnelly.

From Thames Firsts by Althea Barker:

"The Pillar Box had been first introduced in 1848 in Belgium, followed by Paris (1850) and England (1852). The ability to buy stamps in New Zealand in the 1860s, led to the introduction of public letterboxes or Street Letter Receivers as they were known. Only a handful survive, with the majority having been replaced many years back by modern designs – deemed to be easier to keep clean and empty. When The Thames was settled, many residents suggested the need for the Pillar boxes that they had seen in Australia – based on the French design they “had three vertical apertures placed near the top of the receiver, which was the height that a person on horseback could post a letter, without having to dismount.” It is believed that the Thames boxes were designed and made based on the British model by J H Penfold. The exact date of their establishment c1878. In 1881 the one at the corner of Albert and Brown Streets was moved to corner Mary and Pollen Streets on 7th February 1881. In 1894 there is an advertisement concerning mail clearance that names the pillar letter receivers at Shortland as being at: Rolleston, Willoughby and Mary Streets.The Rolleston Street one was on the south corner of Richmond Street and had been erected September 1878.  It would appear then that the iron pillar boxes were in Thames pre 1880, with several being moved around to different street locations. Today (2019) there remain three Red Pillar (Post) Boxes in Thames and they have an Historic Place’s rating of Category 2. Their register numbers are: 717 (Pollen Street), 7242 (Cnr Mary & Pollen Streets) and 7244 (Queen Street)."

The pillar boxes have proved so popular over the decades that shops like Coakley's even used the location in their advertisements.

THAMES STAR, VOLUME XLVII, ISSUE 10359, 25 OCTOBER 1912

Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence.

Coakley's Shop at the corner of Pollen & Willoughby Streets - the iconic Pillar Box far right.

Further Reading: Blog Story on the Pillar Boxes including further photos.

ADDENDUM:
I forgot to mention that one of the best places to find information on The Post Office and Postal History is via the reports in the Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives available at PapersPast.

• 1877: In the Post Office Department Annual Report January 1877, there were 20 Iron Pillar boxes in New Zealand, plus 45 receiving houses.
• 1879: In the January 1879 Report, one of Thames' pillar boxes was replaced with a receiving box. In New Zealand there were 21 Iron Pillar boxes and 59 receiving houses.
• 1881: In the January 1881 Report, there were 29 Iron Pillar boxes in New Zealand, and 100 receiving boxes.