Thames (NZ): Moanataiari 1954 & 1972

In 1954, there had been housing development along the west side of Tararu Road, with mine tailings from the busy Moanataiari area levelled and settled over the preceding years.  What can you identify? The large A & G Price compound can not be mistaken in the upper centre of the photo. Largely unchanged buildings for decades. Victoria Park and band rotunda at the bottom left. To the right of that the Park aka Lady Bowen Hotel, the Lady Bowen Hotel and the Royal Hotel on the corner of Williamson and Brown/Owen Streets.

 

 Date: 15 Dec 1954, Albert Street to Moanataiari, Thames
Aerial photograph taken by Whites Aviation  - Thames, Coromandel, Waikato, including the premises of A & G Price Ltd. Whites Aviation Ltd :Photographs. Ref: WA-36516-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23529197

 

The 1960s saw big changes to the Moanataiari flat area. By 1972, the area is all but unrecognisable. Land has been reclaimed, levelled, streets developed and builders busy. The Moanataiari subdivision nearly completed. Screams of who would want to live on an rubbish tip - completely unfounded. The newly completed and occupied Moanataiari school sits proudly in the centre of the development.

Date: 25 Aug 1972 - Looking south at the Moanataiari area

Aerial photograph taken by Whites Aviation.
Thames, Thames-Coromandel District. Whites Aviation Ltd :Photographs. Ref: WA-70458-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22439077