Thames (NZ): At last the Captain Cook Memorial returns to Kopu

Background

As part of the planning for the 1940 centenary celebrations of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, it was decided to mark the landing places of Captain James Cook around Aotearoa New Zealand.  For various reasons, the Kopu memorial was the first, and only one erected.

The memorial was unveiled on 21 November 1941 beside the Kopu Bridge, by James Thorn, MP for Thames and Chairman of the National Historical Committee of the Centennial Council.

"Local Public Works Department staff had erected the monument, having been instructed, according to Beaglehole’s biographer, to build it cheaply and in time for unveiling on the anniversary day." (McEwan A Dr, TCDC 2010)  The final result was not what was expected, and apparently looked little like the original plans that were designed by Christchurch architect Paul Pascoe.

 

                  WAIKATO INDEPENDENT, 19 NOV 1941    AUCKLAND STAR, 22 NOV 1941

  

The unveiling of the Cook Memorial 21 November 1941.

Photo source Right: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19411203-28-2

  

The Captain Cook Memorial, on the northern side of the approach to the Kopu aka Hauraki Bridge

The Moving of the Memorial

In 1969 there were plans afoot to move the memorial from the Kopu Bridge site, and place it on a reserve along the road past Totara. (Thames Star 21 April 1969) Kopu residents and the local hall committee were against the proposal, stating it should be kept at Kopu and suggested a site at the Kopu Hall.

The Thames Star newspaper reported on 11 November, that the memorial would be resited to the Kopu Hall grounds. The Department of Internal Affairs agreed to pay the moving costs. The new siting budget was 350 Pounds, as opposed to 800 Pounds at the Totara site. The Kopu Hall site was gratefully accepted by all.

In March 1970 the Captain Cook Memorial was moved and resited outside the Kopu Hall. (photo right)

The Kopu Hall ceased to be and as development took place at Kopu. By 2010 the Memorial was behind a fence at Kopu before being sent to storage (for some reason unknown to most) at Whangamata.

For years various groups and individuals lobbied to have the memorial returned. Many stories came out that the memorial was merely being cleaned and would be resited once the 'new' Kopu Bridge opened. 

The Captain Cook Memorial 'behind bars' at Kopu c2010.

Source: Dr A McEwan, TCDC Heritage Report 2010

With the 250 year commemoration of Captain Cook visiting The Thames due November 2019, The Thames Heritage Network again urged the TCDC (Thames Coromandel District Council) to try and make the resiting a reality. Communication with various groups continued along with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.  The memorial's return was complicated by the need for land stabilisation at the chosen new site. Finally the big day came 29 May 2020 - delayed by the covid-19 pandemic.

 

The ribbon cut 29 May 2020

While the Covid-19 restrictions limited the gathering to no more than 50, a representative group were present to see the memorial officially opened by TCDC Mayor Sandra Goudie. They included TCDC staff who had been instrumental in the planning / consent process, along with those responsible for landscaping the area. Numbers were made up by members and supporters of the Thames Heritage Network - all thrilled to see the iconic memorial returned, while acknowledging the importance of history to the ongoing recovery of the Thames region. Gary Blake and Alan Young also spoke on behalf of the heritage group and local Kopu businesses.

 

Ready for the 'cutting of the ribbon'.

 

Speeches by Mayor Sandra Goudie, Alan Young and Gary Blake.

The key people involved with the project joined to ceremonially cut the "red ribbon".

 The Captain Cook Memorial sits proudly on a boardwalk, 

with a few seats for those who want to sit and reflect.

  

The plaque reads:

"Near this Spot James Cook with the naturalists Joseph Banks & Daniel Solander landed while exploring the river Thames in the ship's boats of H.M.S. Endeavour 21 November 1769."

For further information on Cook's voyage:

Cook Landmarks at 'The Thames' (New Zealand), November 1769, Dave Wilton 2019 (The Treasury Journal).

Update:

Report on TCDC Facebook page:

The monument to Captain Cook and his crew’s visit to Tikapa Moana and the Waihou River is now back in place in Kopu, by the old Kopu Bridge, not far from where the monument was initially sited in 1941. It was later moved to where the Kopu Hall used to be and then went into storage a couple of years ago when the hall property changed hands. Thanks to local businesses Peninsula Memorials and All Garden Works for restoring the monument and building the deck and landscaping (in tricky sub-surface ground conditions), and thanks to the Ministry for Culture and Heritage for their partnership and financial support for the project. The monument is made from stone quarried in the Kauaeranga Valley and the deck is a nod to the wooden ship decking Cook and his crew would have walked on as they sailed the oceans.
The monument was “opened” today by our Mayor Sandra Goudie, Gary Blake from the Heritage Network Group and Kopu Bridge Society (wielding the scissors) and Allan Young, Chair of the Kopu Landowners and Occupiers Association.

Cutting the ribbon. Photo Source: TCDC facebook site

Thames (NZ): WWI ROH Board at the St James Church, Thames

St James' Church ROLL OF HONOUR Board

Introduction:

When the book From Gold Mine to Firing Line was published in 2014, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the start of The Great War, we sadly missed including the St James' Roll of Honour board.

The large framed 'ROH', has been beautifully hand crafted, the text immaculately formed. It hangs at the northern entrance as you enter the church on the western wall. While we usually interpret 'Roll of Honour' as meaning those who lost their lives in the war, this one records all the names of servicemen who went to the Great War 1914-1918.

Photo Courtesy of David Wilton, Thames.

Background Thames WWI:
In 2014, 2300 names were identified for men and women who served in World War One from the greater Thames-Hauraki-Coromandel region. The 'war death' rate was 26% for the Hauraki region. 

How many men from Thames township died in the war? Initially research found that over 200 soldiers died in the war (up to 1923 which qualifies for a war related death). When considering the Thames ward (from Kereta to Hikutaia, and Kopu Bridge to Hikuai hill) - this number increased to at least 247 men. This is the number of memorial trees that are planted at the WW100 Forest at Rhodes Park, Thames. 

Please note that memorials such as the Thames Peace Memorial do not record all the ROH (or returned soldiers), and is in fact missing at least 50% of the names. There is a remembrance board outside the Thames War Memorial Hall that has a more up-to-date Roll of Honour list.

The names on the St JAMES ROH Board:
* Indicates a war death eg. KIA (Killed in Action) or DOD (Died of Disease). NOK stands for next-of-kin. Place of death is stated as France for the war deaths, and is usually recorded in the war file as on the fields of France or Belgium - based on troop movements and battle dates, it is usually possible to research and get a more accurate location.

Interesting to note that no WWI Nurses are recorded on this board, this is possibly an error and / or only servicemen were deemed eligible to go on the list.

*AGNEW, Sydney Samuel: WWI 70149 - Died at Thames 3 May 1921. Sydney was schooled at Thames and worked at A & G Price.

*AUTRIDGE, Charles H: WWI 40271 - KIA 12 October 1917 France. A carpenter at Thames, son of Mrs M Autridge of Richmond Street.

*CAMPBELL, William John: WWI 13/2308 - KIA 8 April 1918 France. Husband of Florence Campbell of Beach Road, Thames.

       

CLARK, George Smeaton: WWI 45823 - NOK Miss Mira Clark of Thames. Working as a deputy-registrar at Supreme Court in Wellington on enlistment.

CLARK, James Patterson: WWI 25059 - Brother of George Smeaton Clark, born at Thames and attended Thames High School.

COUTTS, John Elrick: WWI 2/2801 - Born at Thames, father John lived in Beach Road.

COXHEAD, Robert Alexander: WWI 8/3223 - Working as a farmer at Miranda on enlistment, his mother Mrs R Coxhead lived up the Hape Creek.

CRAWFORD, George James: WWI 44828 - Born at Thames, a farmer at Totara on enlistment. NOK Mrs A M Crawford of Totara Point.

CRAWFORD, Thomas Henry: WWI 31957 -  Born at Thames, a farmer at Totara on enlistment. NOK Mrs A M Crawford of Totara Point. Awarded the Military Medal.

CROKER, Basil Warner: WWI 8/3228 - NOK Mr P W Croker (father), an architect from Thames. Basil received the Military Medal.

DUNLOP, Gordon Aitken: WWI 11/1540 - Working as a drover on enlistment, NOK Mrs T A Dunlop of Parawai.

FISHER, Walter Donald: WWI 39657 - NOK Mrs A Fisher of Karaka Road, a labourer at Thames on enlistment.

GILLAN, Alexander: WWI 37582 - NOK Mrs Mary Ann Gillan (mother) of Puriri.

*GLESSING, John Polton Hicks: WWI 31990 KIA 4 June 1917 France - Son of John and Margaret Glessing of Thames.

*GRAHAM, Albert Edward: WWI 24/769 KIA 12 October 1917 - Son of Mr & Mrs William Graham of Terrace Street. Albert was a miner at Thames on enlistment.

       

GRAHAM, James: WWI 12/3654 - working as a labourer on enlistment, son of  Mr & Mrs William Graham of Terrace Street, Thames. 

GRAHAM, Thomas Harold: WWI 24/770 - A grocer at Galloway's in Thames, the son of Thomas Graham of Mackay Street.

GRAHAM, William James: WWI 29392 - Worked as a letter carrier in Thames before the war, son of Mr & Mrs Thomas Graham of Mackay Street.

GUY, William Duncan: WWI 47591 - Born and lived in Thames, NOK was Leslie Jackson of Baillie Street (brother-in-law).

HINDMAN, E(a)rnest George: WWI 34472 - A baker in Thames, Mother Mrs E Hindman of Karaka Creek.

HINDMAN, Fredrick William: WWI 13/2334 - A baker in Thames, Mother Mrs E Hindman of Karaka Creek.

*ISAACS, Thomas: WWI 12/398 DOD 18 March 1916 Egypt. NOK MR S Isaacs (father) of Parawai.

JAMIESON, Herbert: WWI 25/886 - A bricklayer in Thames on enlistment, mother Mrs R Jamieson lived in Augustus Street.

LAPRAIK, George: WWI 3/144 - A GP in Thames, married to Marion Eliza Lapraik nee Bush.

LAW, John Leslie: WWI 49719 - attended Kauaeranga Valley School, E Law of Claudelands.

LAW, Robert Ruther-Glen: WWI 62341 - A labourer in Thames, son of Robert and Elizabeth Law, Mackay Street.

MACKAY, Donald Meredith Gordon: WWI 24381 - Born in Scotland, worked for the Lands & Survey Department, a member of the 6th Hauraki Regiment (Thames Territorials).

McCORMICK, Allan Loughlin: WWI 16109 -  NOK Mr F McCormick (father) of Tararu, occupation farmer and blacksmith at Turua on enlistment.

McCORMICK, William Sharpe: WWI 4/1627 - Born in Thames, a miner at Waihi.

McDONALD, Ernest Bert: WWI 65773 - A baker in Thames, mother Mrs Sarah McDonald of Edward Street.

McDONALD, John William: WWI 41370 - A miner at Tararu on enlistment, NOK Mrs S McDonald (mother), Block 27, Thames.

McDONALD, Robert Henry: WWI 2/143 - A baker in Wellington, mother Mrs Sarah McDonald of Edward Street. Awarded Military Medal.

McKENZIE, Allan Leslie: WWI 30827 - A farmer on the Thames Coast, NOK Mrs M McKenzie (mother) at Tapu.

MacMORRAN, Robert Glen: WWI 32529 - A surveyor at Thames on enlistment.

*McONIE, Colin: WWI 26661 - KIA 7 June 1917 France. Father P McOnie of Mackay Street

McONIE, George: WWI 10/3022 - Father P McOnie of Mackay Street.

MENZIES, Allen Gillies: WWI 46238 - Worked as a cordial maker, the family was part of Grey & Menzies, iconic Aerated bottlers of Thames.

MITCHELL, Samuel George: WWI 47598 - NOK Mrs R Wallace, Pollen Street, Thames. An orchardist at Te Puru on enlistment.

*POTTS, John Kirker: WWI 10/1142 - KIA 8 August 1915 at Gallipoli. Son of William and Jane Potts of Thames.

             

PRICE, Arthur Gorton: WWI 36791 -  Son of George Price of Queen Street, occupation on enlistment was traveller.  (Brother of Henry & John)

PRICE, Henry (Harry) Wooles: WWI 24/888 - Son of George Price of Thames, occupation on enlistment an engineer at A & G Price. (Brother of John & Arthur)

PRICE, John Lawrence: WWI 25/805 - Son of George Price of Thames, occupation on enlistment a farmer at Matatoke. (Brother of Henry & Arthur)

*RAMSAY, Harold T: Harold Vivian Ramsay,  WWI 18080 - KIA 2 April 1918 France. Harold was a Schoolmaster at Thames High School.

SMITH, Leslie John: WWI 12/868 - son of John Smith of Rolleston Street

SMITH, Reginald Trevor: WWI 26468 - Son of Mr W T Smith of Rolleston Street, later served in WWII and was also awarded an OBE in 1942.

TAIT, Alexander R: WWI -Not yet identified.

TROTTER, William John Russell: WWI 12/912 - NOK Mrs R R Trotter of Waiomio, William was a labourer at Tapu. Awarded Military Medal.

*WALLACE, William: WWI 12/3856 - KIA 30 May 1916 France. NOK Mrs R Wallace (mother) of Pollen Street.

                   

WATSON, Donald Dr: WWI - Son of John Watson, attended Thames High, further details not known.

WATSON, William: WWI 13/2384 - A farmer on enlistment, NOK Mrs J Watson (mother) C/- A & G Price, Thames.

WYND (WIND), Sydney H: WWI 72923 - A battery-hand on enlistment. NOK Mrs Rose Wind (mother) of Franklyn Street.

SUMMARY:

Major George Lapraik
WWI Medical Corps

• Of the 51 names listed above on the ROH board, 10 men lost their lives as a result of the war. Sydney AGNEW, Charles AUTRIDGE, William CAMPBELL, John GLESSING, Albert GRAHAM, Thomas ISAACS, Colin McONIE, John POTTS, Harold RAMSAY and William WALLACE.
• There were nine sets of brothers: George & James CLARK; George & Thomas CRAWFORD; Albert & James GRAHAM; Thomas & William GRAHAM; Ernest & Fredrick HINDMAN; John & Robert LAW; Ernest, John & Robert MCDONALD; Colin & George McONIE; and Arthur, Henry & John PRICE.
• Dr George Lapraik served as a General Practitioner in the town from 1899 to 1919, which included an incredible stint during the November 1918 Influenza Epidemic. Dr Lapraik was over 50 years of age when he served on the front line during WWI. George died in 1933, and  his friends at the Thames placed a headstone on his plot at Hamilton East Cemetery. The monumental inscription reads:In loving Memory. Geo. Lapraik M.B. Mast. Surg. Univ. of Glasgow 1887. Died 7th May 1933 Aged 69 Years. He gave of his best for humanity. Erected by Thames friends.
• Another man on the list, is an example of the amazing folk that came from Thames. Reginald Trevor Smith was awarded an OBE in 1942. A boy from Thames who went onto oversee major civil engineering projects with the public works for decades. Including rebuilding after the 1931 Napier Earthquake, recovery operation at Tangiwai train disaster in 1953, conversion of trams to trolley buses in Wellington, and much more! Smith served in WWI (wounded twice), WWII with the 13th Railway Construction Company and later with the Indian Army. 

Background Reading:

• Thames WWI Roll of Honour
• WWI Doctors from Thames
• Dr George Lapraik
• Military Nurses
• WWI Tunnellers
• WWII Thames ROH
• Slideshow WWI Thames ROH
• Details of Reginald Trevor Smith's life achievements are in his war file

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): 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): New seat on the walkway by the 'Burke Street' Wharf

I am always on the lookout to record new plaques and memorials around the Thames township. I was therefore delighted to see a new SEAT on the point adjacent to old Burke Street Wharf, on the south side of the Waiotahi Creek. The walkway is a great asset, and for those who perhaps can't walk too far, this new seat is perfectly located for a short walk and rest. A few more scattered along the waterfront would I am sure be appreciated by all.

Special thanks to Stepping Out Hauraki for the lovely gesture.

There is a plaque on the back of the seat that reads: 

"This seat was donated for your enjoyment by Stepping Our Hauraki

Rest, Relax, Enjoy!

Stepping Out Hauraki"

ABOVE: View from the new seat, looking west towards the old Wharf - once a bustling area of the old goldfield town.

BELOW: Photograph postcard showing 'P S Wakatere' at the wharf at Thames. The old piles that still remain of the old wharf, once held up a grand wharf, along which thousands boarded and unboarded the hundreds of ships that came to The Thames.

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 855-2