Thames (NZ): R H Bartlett early photographer at The Thames

New Zealand Herald 27 August 1967

Robert Henry Bartlett was a photographer in Auckland when the Thames Goldfield opened in August 1867. Within a matter of weeks he made his way to the new diggings and photographed the field still in its infancy. These photographs give us a factual and true view of what the area looked like before the opening of the Field and before the thousands descended onto the goldfield.

By 26 August 1867, Bartlett had returned to Auckland, developed his slides/film and displayed them at his business establishment. The views were of the Kuranui (Hunt's) reef, Karaka Flat, The Kauaeranga township and several claims.

It is timely to view these again, although you will find them referred to in previous blogs.

View up the Karaka Creek to the Karaka Hill (later known as Una Hill)
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 5-159G'

The Karaka - View to Shortland Town & the Kauaeranga
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 5-159H

Long Drive Claim 
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 589-317

Bartlett returned to the Thames Goldfield and took many more photographs - these can be found in the Sir George Grey Collection, Auckland Libraries.

Further information on Mr R H BARTLETT:

• An overview of Bartlett's photographic life is available thanks to the Early New Zealand Photography Blog.
• Several of Bartlett's albums held at Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.
• A photo of Bartlett's premises is available, along with the details of Robert's death in 1911.

"Bartlett continued to practise as a photographer in Auckland until well into the 1890s, despite a disastrous fire that destroyed his premises in September 1873, and repeated flirtations with bankruptcy. He died at the Rookwood Asylum in Sydney on 2 June 1911."

OTHER PHOTOS TAKEN by R H BARTLETT in the 1870s

View down Broad Street c1870 towards Shortland Town
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A16669

Moanataiari Creek
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A16668

Hunt's Claim at the Shotover
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 5-159K

There are many more!!!