The celebrations marking the Thames Diamond Jubilee in 1927 were well attended; a special day was also held in Auckland for those who were unable to make the trip across the Firth. Below are photos of some the Thamesites who attended the Auckland based celebrations.
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19709, 8 August 1927, Page 6:
SEQUEL TO THE THAMES DIAMOND JUBILEE: EARLY RESIDENTS OF THE GOLDMINING TOWN REUNITE IN AUCKLAND. Some of the survivors of the old days, who could not attend the recent celebrations at Thames, photographed at the function at the Town Hall on Saturday.
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| Above: Mrs Smith, aged 87, and her daughter, Mrs White. |
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| Centre: Mrs Skinner being assisted from a motor-car. |
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| Above: Captain and Mrs Newby, aged 93 and 83 respectively. |
The gathering had been organised by The Old Thames Girls' Association and was attended by over 700 people. "There were many among them who went to Thames when it was little more than an uninviting wilderness. They had gathered to revive old friendships, and to call to mind the heroic efforts of their follow pioneers, and during the addresses not a few showed visibly the emotion born of poignant recollections."
There was a magnificent birthday cake for all. "Standing out from the decorations of bunting and fernery was a huge birthday cake of four tiers, which was placed in conspicuous position in front of the stage. This was the gift of Mrs H. H. Adams, herself a pioneer of the Thames district. The cake was decorated with icing-sugar shovels and picks and a neat miner's cottage. On it were placed 60 candles, and the whole was surmounted by a diamond-shaped tier from which were suspended golden-coloured bells."
There were tributes paid to many old settlers including Mr A E Glover. "Among the very earliest to settle at Thames was Mr A. E. Glover, who secured number 9 miner's right on the day these were first issued. Mr Glover first went to Thames in 1863, four years before the discovery of gold. His parents were living at Coromandel, and with a brother he used to row to Thames in an boat. He made several visits to the district when there were no white persons at all there, and he was at Thames when the great rush for gold commenced. Debt Owed to Pioneers."
