Monday, July 30, 2018

Thames (NZ): The Booms, Kauaeranga, Thames

If you grew up in Thames, you probably went swimming at the 'Booms' - an area of the Kauaeranga River just past the Thames Racecourse, as you proceed up the Kauaeranga Valley. In more recent years a new housing development was named 'The Booms' located on the hill above the Thames Parawai Racecourse.

There is a new article by David Wilton in the Treasury Journal on the "BOOMS FLAT" which reveals there is much more to the name, and what took place in order to bring the Kauri logs down the river to the sea.
"This article describes sites identified and recorded around the Booms Flat area (the name 'Booms Flat' now applying to a DoC campground near the old Main Booms)."

The logs were collected in the Parawai Booms until they could be prepared and taken to Auckland. The logs were typically tied together and towed to Auckland.
~ Check out the article on "Boom Flat" by D Wilton ~

Showing kauri logs collected by the Kauri Timber Company's booms across the Kauaeranga River at Parawai.
Auckland Weekly News 23 July 1898 p002 
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-18980723-2-1
AUCKLAND'S KAURI TIMBER INDUSTRY: A CORNER OF THE BOOMS ON THE KAUAERANGA RIVER.
Auckland Weekly News 28 SEPTEMBER 1905 p004 Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19050928-4-1 
PREPARING A RAFT OF LOGS IN THE KAUAERANGA RIVER, THAMES, FOR TOWING TO AUCKLAND.
Auckland Weekly News 22 AUGUST 1907 p004 Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19070822-4-4
AUCKLAND'S GREAT KAURI TIMBER INDUSTRY. WHICH IS RAPIDLY BEING WORKED OUT: LOGS IN THE BOOMS AT KAUAERANGA. NEAR THAMES.
Auckland Weekly News 28 June 1923 p049 
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19230628-49-4
Further information:
Booms Flat Campsite, Kauaeranga Valley.
Historic Kauri Dams, Kauaeranga Valley.
Kauri Timber Industry - Kauaeranga Valley by Gary Staples. Ohinemuri Journal.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

Thames (NZ): Landmarks remembered in 1948

Each generation appears to regret not having listened to the stories of yesteryear...those memories that parents or grandparents shared. Each generation believes to some degree that important history and memories will be or have already been forgotten.

In 1948 the Thames Star published a series of articles to 'test' whether Thamesites of the day knew the important old landmarks around the town.

The Thames Chamber of Commerce planned to place signposts at places worthy of commemoration. Messrs W Hammond, J Kernick and F E McCullough were responsible for coming up with the places of interest. There is no evidence to suggest that signs did get erected! At least until the Lions Club took up the challenge several decades later.
Landmarks mentioned were as follows:

FOOT of KURANUI CREEK: “It was here that Messrs W A Hunt, W Cobley, G Clarkson and J E White discovered the first gold-bearing reef at Thames.”

ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN FRONT OF THE MOANATAIARI TUNNEL: “Left-hand side looking up the hill. The hill on the right contained the famous Caledonian, Golden Crown, Manukau and Cure Mines.”

Waiotahi Mine.
AT THE FOOT OF THE WAIOTAHI CREEK: “This is the site of the famous Waiotahi mine, which during 43 years’ existence, produced bullion to the value of £655,167.”

AT THE FOOT OF THE HILL IN POLLEN STREET NORTH: “Opposite  where Williamson Street connects with Pollen Street. This is the site of the famous Prince Imperial Mine which produced in five years 43,094 ounces of gold.”

IN FRONT OF THE BOROUGH ELECTRICAL POWER STATION: “At the rear of the building was sunk the deepest shaft in Thames – 1050 feet.  A short distance hillward on the left was the famous May Queen Mine.”
The May Queen Mine.

THE SITE OF THE CALEDONIA MINE: “Described by the later Colin Fraser …as the greatest bonanza of the field, and one of the richest in the annals of quartz mining.”

TOTARA POINT: “Scene of inter-tribal fights – one of the first recorded being an attack on the pa by the Ngati Maru about 300 years ago, when the District was held by the Ngati Nuarere and the Ngati Nei…In 1819, Totara Pa was attacked by a combined force of Nga Puhi and Waikato…In December, 1821, a powerful force of Nga Puhi, under Hongi Hika, with 1000 muskets, attacked Totara Pa, which fell, a massacre and cannibal feast following.”
Site of the old Totara Pa.
SHORTLAND:  Bounded by Grey Street, Queen Street and Pollen Street, was the site of an old Maori pa, Kauaeranga…The gunboats Esk and Miranda are said to have dropped shells in this pa about 1863.”

THE OLD AMERICAN THEATRE: “Stood on the eastern side of the Shortland Hotel, facing Grey Street in 1867. It was here that Johnny Hall, the actor, used to entertain the Thames public.  This building was pulled down in 1876 after being used for some years as a land court. The timber was used in making additions to the Shortland Hotel.”
Shortland Post Office (centre right) and Butt's Hotel and American Theatre (above Post Office). Courthouse (centre left and Kauaeranga Landing later Shortland Wharf (top centre).
THE OLD THAMES POST OFFICE: “At the corner of Grey and Mackay Street prior to the Post Office being on the site of the present County Council Chambers.”

THE OLD MAORI LAND COURT BUILDING:  “Situated at the corner of Pollen and Grey Streets, on the south-west corner.”

ANAPUTU, AT FISHING ROCKS at TARARU. “Here the Tainui canoe, bringing the immigrants from Hawiki [sic] about 1350 AD was fastened to a hole in a rock, and remained for sometime before proceeding on its journey.”
Tararu Fishing Rocks, north of Tararu.
THE SHORTLAND SAWMILL AND STONE’s SHIP-BUILDING Yards: Located south of the Maori Land Court building.

THE CHURCH MISSION STATION: At Parawai, on the hill opposite the old Maori Church, later years the residence of Warden Kenrick.

CLAIM PEGGED BY MAJOR VON TEMPSKY: In Hape Creek, just above the Water Race.
View back along Holdship's Wharf to Beach Road and Cochrane Street.
HOLDSHIP’s MILL: Corner of Beach Road and Cochrane Street. Previously the site of an old Maori pa, and where Mr R B Smith opened a store known as the “Pah Store”.

THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC: On south side of the Pacific Hotel, which was oon the south-west corner of Albert and Brown Streets.
 
LEFT: Theatre Royal Hotel and RIGHT: The Pacific Hotel.
THEATRE ROYAL: An early Thames Theatre situated on the northern side of the Royal Hotel in Grahamstown.

SITE OF THE TURNING OF THE FIRST SOD: “For the Thames-Waikato railway by Sir George Grey, a few yards to the south of the intersection of Mary Street and Queen Street.”

TARARU POINT
: “Site of one of the earliest wharves in Thames, where the Golden Crown and other steamers landed passengers for the Thames Goldfields.”

NORTHERN TERMINUS OF THE TARARU TRAMWAY COMPANY: Near the district homes, one of the earliest of New Zealand Railways. It ran from Burke Street to Tararu, half-hourly trips.”
A 1980s postcard of the Hotonui Meeting house at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.
HOTONUI CARVED MAORI MEETING HOUSE: Opened 1878 at the corner of Fenton Street. This meeting house is now in the Auckland War Memorial Museum.”
Kauaeranga Girls' School.

VOLUNTEER HALL: “Richmond Street, between Pollen and Queen Streets, closed in 1878.”

KAUAERANGA BOYS’ SCHOOL: “On site of present Thames High School.”

KAUAERANGA GIRLS’ SCHOOL: Corner of Sandes and Richmond Street, South-west corner.”

St Thomas' Catholic School.
SCHOFIELD’s GRAMMAR SCHOOL: Rolleston Street, St George’s Sunday School, about 50 yards north of Sealey Street.”

KARAKA SCHOOL: “Mackay Street east, allotment south of the ladies croquet lawn.”

THAMES SCHOOL: “Closed 1879, opposite Sarsfield’s butchery, Cochrane Street.”

CATHOLIC BOYS’ SCHOOL: Corner Walter and Queen Streets, north-east corner.”

SMALE’S FOLLY: A long corrugated Iron building extending from Pollen to Queen Street, the site of the present Post Office.”

Smale's Folly.
SHELLBACK SCHOOL: “On Tararu Road, north side of the Pukehinau Stream.”

Well, how did you go on those? Thankfully the Thames Lions Club has over the decades marked several of these spots, sadly in the town, the landmarks relating to Maori significant sites, have not been marked.

Background: The Thames Lions Club have a booklet available and map to highlight where the present day Heritage Signs are located. Available from KMG Printers, Pollen Street, Thames.

A report by J McEnteer and T Turoa "Nga Taonga o te Kauaeranga Maori Heritage of Thames" 1993, identified important Maori landmarks and recommended the locations be signposted in an acceptable manner.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Thames (NZ): A & G Price's Ab699 ready for a comeback

Without a railway line running through the town, and lack of trains in the area, it is easy to forget Thames' amazing train history. A & G Price were the magnificent manufacturers of many classes of steam locomotives - the special thing being that several still exist today.

An article on STUFF today has the news that Ab699 is making a comeback at the Pleasant Point Railway and Historical Society. Placed in service in 1922, the engine is due back after after being decommissioned in 2013. Ab699 has a resume that includes 46 years of government service.

Photo online at STUFF by JOHN BISSET/STUFF
"Pleasant Point's number one steam locomotive AB699 is nearly ready to be fired up for the public for the first time in five years.

The refurbished 85 tonne locomotive - the first one the Pleasant Point Railway and Historical Society purchased - is set to be reintroduced to the public on September 23, some 96 years after it first entered service." Eleanor Rarity
An old photo of Ab699 at Work from the Pleasant Point Railway Facebook site.
Watch Ab699, at the celebration of the engine's 90th birthday in 2012.

Fingers crossed some Thamesites will be at Pleasant Point 23 September 2018, and see one of our trains back in action - a tribute to all the Thames men who worked at A & G Price and made all these great locomotives.

Background:

  • Youtube videos of ex-Thames trains.
  • Ab 688 manufactured 1922.
  • Ab 699 Service History.
  • Pleasant Point Railway Facebook.
  • Summary of Thames Trains. There are several books available that give a complete history of A & G Price, and the details of the Locomotives built. Prices of Thames by Bob Stott has the following summary:

123 Steam Locomotives built for NZ Railways
22 Steam Locomotives built for other companies
40 Miscellaneous petrol, diesel and battery electric locomotives
54 'Second Generation' internal combustion engine locomotives.

A total of 239 locomotives.

Thames (NZ): WWI ROH Remembrance Board

A simple wreath of poppies has been placed over the remembrance cross outside the Thames War Memorial Civic Centre, in Mary Street, Thames.

Yesterday was the 100th year commemoration for the death of  Leonard Arthur NEWMAN.


Next month, August 2018, will see remembrance articles for ten further Thames men, who lost their lives during World War One. Lest We Forget

Monday, July 23, 2018

Thames (NZ): Thamesites' connections to the 1859 Passenger ship Shalimar

Last year on the Thames Connect site, Thames researcher Carolyn, asked if there were any descendants from the Shalimar's voyage to New Zealand in 1859.

"I've been interested in genealogy for many years and at present, I'm researching a book which will trace the adventures of the passengers who came to settle in NZ on the SHALIMAR. The ship arrived in Auckland from Liverpool on 23rd December 1859. My mother's father's grandparents were on board and my aim now is to trace the descendants of some of the other passengers and collate their family histories as a celebration, in 2019, of the 160th anniversary of the ship's arrival. If any of your ancestors were passengers on the SHALIMAR in 1859 and you would like to join the Shalimar160 project, I would love to hear from you." Signed Carolyn.

Several of the passengers from this 1859 voyage are known to have come to the Thames; maybe more that have not yet traced??

Harriett White was a child when the ship arrived in Auckland December 1859, she had travelled with her family from Ireland. Harriett went onto marry Mr Napian Pollard, the couple lived for a time at The Thames, and he had shares in the great Caledonian Mine. They returned to Auckland in the 1870s, and Mr Pollard was for a time Mayor of Parnell. Mrs Harriett Pollard nee White died at Parnell on 1 January 1928.

If you can help locate more passengers from the Shalimar's 1859 voyage, 
please contact Carolyn via her new blog.

Background:

Further details on the Shalimar and passengers in the New Zealand 10 December 1859.

Monday, July 16, 2018

Thames (NZ): WWI deaths continue 100 years ago

Since April 2015, I have been writing special blog entries to commemorate all the men from Thames who died during World War One. To-date between 25 April 1915 and 16 July 1918, 171 young Thames men had lost their lives during the Great War.

In one weeks time, 23 July 2018, it will be one hundred years since the death of another Thames-born man, Leonard Arthur NEWMAN.

Killed In Action 23/07/1918 In the Field, France; NEWMAN Leonard Arthur; 18891; Private XXII Corps Cyclist Bn
Leonard's war file is online at Archives New Zealand. For those new to war research, all the World War One personnel files have been digitised. You can either search from Archives or from the Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph (at the end of each person's entry).

Leonard was the son of Harry and Jane Newman, born 24 July 1893 at Thames. The family lived in Edward Street, and Leonard attended the Kauaeranga Boys. and the Kauaeranga Girls' School - both located with in a few blocks of his home.

Newman left school in 1907 and began working as a carpenter. In a strange twist of fate, on his enlistment he was working as a carpenter in Auckland. Leonard was employed by Mr Albert Gordon of Thames, another ex Thamesite, who also was killed during the war 12 August 1917.

Private Newman embarked from New Zealand 4 April 1916. He was wounded in action 3 February 1917. Newman was treated in France then sent onward to England for further treatment and recovery. In June he was sent back to France. Later that year he was back in hospital at a Gas Cleaning Station.

PM William Massey inspects the New Zealand Cyclist Corps at Oissy, 3 July 1918.
It was March 1918 that Private Newman was transferred into the Cyclist Battalion. Then on 23 July 1918, he was Killed in Action on the battlefields of France,

Leonard's obituary in the Thames Star Newspaper revealed more details on his prewar life and war service. It was noted that he was a talented rugby player and had junior rugby at The Thames, and later in Auckland.

 
Thames Star 9 August 1918


LEST WE FORGET
There is a memorial for Leonard Arthur Newman at the War Grave Cemetery: Marfaux (New Zealand) Memorial, France.

Friday, July 13, 2018

Thames (NZ): Loss of wooden grave markers 1948 Shortland Cemetery

Often we get asked by researchers as to why their family have no headstone or simple cross at Shortland Cemetery? Yes the obvious answer is that there never was one, but often the more probable answer is that time and events have taken their toll.

We know that there was a major fire in the cemetery in 1943, and another report just fire years later suggests the reason why more grave markers were lost or damaged.

The background is that this is a cemetery that appears to have suffered major neglect over the years. Whether this was aggravated by the location as much as the gradient and layout of the cemetery itself. How we know it today, is obviously a great improvement on how it has been cared for in past decades (thanks to Graeme P).

So, if you have been looking for evidence of a grave marker at Shortland Cemetery, don't rule out the possibility that it was destroyed by either the 1943 or 1948 fires. Below is the report of a fire that spread through the upper portion of Shortland Cemetery, Thames - in February 1948.

Source: The Thames Star Collection, The Treasury, Thames

Monday, July 9, 2018

Thames (NZ): New Motel Fifty Years Ago

From the time the Thames Goldfield opened nearly 151 years ago, there were periods of building growth and decline. Accommodation over the years was at times stretched to meet the needs of the travelers that came to visit or work at The Thames.

The numerous hotels always provided a great source of accommodation, along with hostels and other private establishments.

In 1870 Street Directory there were 102 listings for 'Hotels & Taverns'. While we know that at times there were many more and in fact a total of over 140 unique hotels at The Thames at various times. There were also Boarding houses advertised.

At times when the hotel numbers were being reduced, the liquor license was refused by the Thames Licensing Committee, but an accommodation only license granted. Such was the case for the Kauaeranga Hotel, near the end of the pub's history - no liquor, just accommodation!

In more recent decades motels were built, with locals often thinking perhaps there were too many - but tourism appears to have led only to expansion and an increase in available bed numbers.

It is fifty years ago that one of these motels was built and opened - namely the Crescent Motel, that now goes by the name of Shortland Court Motel.

 

From July to September 1968, the Thames Star Newspaper reported on building progress for a new motel that was under construction in the Jellicoe Crescent area. This was the Crescent Motel'


The postcard above shows the original motel layout, in later years the motel was expanded to include extra rooms facing Fenton Street (as shown in the google maps view below).


Sunday, July 8, 2018

Thames (NZ):Tararu Cemetery Access now open

Well good news from TCDC that the repairs to the entrance of Tararu Cemetery (north of Thames), have been completed. The site is once again safe for visitors - remembering of course that it is still a mission to access the hillside site.

Considerable work has gone into the step access, and a handrail will be a welcome addition to those making the climb to the top. Well done to TCDC staff and contractors for getting this work completed.

Photographs courtesy of Graeme Pearce. The view is: Looking down to the Thames Coast Road below.

BACKGROUND:
History of the Tararu Cemetery. The Treasury Journal Volume 5 2012
Thames Cemetery information
July 2017 Storm Damage

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

Thames (NZ): Thames Hospital Commemorations and James Mackay Lecture Series


HAVE YOU REGISTERED???????????
Email for programme and registration form or Ring the Thames Hospital


LATEST NEWS:

Four monthly lectures will lead up to the celebration of 150 years since the opening of Thames Hospital. The general public is welcome to attend on a Wednesday evening from 5 to 7pm. The presentations will be followed by questions in under an hour. A small supper will be served. Koha (gold coin) entry is optional.

25 JULY 2018
PROGRESS IN HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES (Sperry Lane Cafe, Thames Hospital)
Introduction and history – Mr Paul Silvester
Cardiac Prevention & Rehab Specialty Nurse – Rosemary McGoldrick
Changes in cardiac care – Dr John Lennane
Diabetic Specialty nurse – Christine Bierre
The future of diabetic and cardiac care – Dr Vijaya Pera
Questions then supper

22 AUGUST
WHAT DOES THAMES HOSPITAL DO WELL? (Sperry Lane Cafe, Thames Hospital)

Introduction and history – Mr Paul Silvester
Day Stay Surgery – Mr Gowan Creamer
Endoscopy –Lead Endoscopy nurse - Maria McHardy
Post-polio syndrome – Gordon Jackman (carbon fibre prosthetics)
Outpatient Chemotherapy – Nurse Coordinator - Fiona Sayer
Questions then supper

26 SEPTEMBER
X-RAY SERVICES (School of Mines)

Beginnings, specialising, technology - Fiaola Siatuu
Growing a service – Chris Hovell
Colonography and remote reporting – Rodger Clark
Developing the specialty – Kirsti Grant-Mackie
Questions
Supper at the Bridge Club (koha)

24 OCTOBER
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE OF THAMES HOSPITAL (Thames Historical Museum)

Historical review – Mr Paul Silvester
Evolving links between Thames and Waikato – Dr Ruth Large / Dr Gillian Twinem
Robotic physicians – Dr Erik McClain
Primary health – Te Korowai
The DHB perspective – Sally Christie
Questions then supper