Without doubt, this view east along Grey Street, Shortland Town on the Thames Goldfield is a classic! The photo gives us a glimpse of life on the goldfield. What do you see? Here are a few things...
- A woman dressed in a full skirt, cape and hat.
- The roads are clearly marked, the surface rough with some stone base.
- The Hape Creek crosses the intersect of Grey and Mackay Streets (centre of photo).
- Deep drains line the sides of the street.
- The Karaka / Una Hill is bare of vegetation, and pitted with adits and tracks.
- Grey Street extends up the hill to Mount Pleasant (present day Jacob's Ladder).
- The building on the left is the first Shortland Post Office.
- There is a goat at the door of the Post Office, there were a lot of goats on the Thames Goldfield!!!
c1868 Grey Street (above) and present day below
Source: Grey Street, Shortland, showing first Post Office. Ref: 1/2-096130-G.
Remember that the colour is not exact; but step back in time and take another look at Grey Street as 'our' Thamesites knew it.
On a closer look, the road between the Mackay and Bowen (aka Rolleston) Streets is busy with people. Maybe these men are clearing the road of rocks? Fixing pot holes? Digging drains or just walking back to their homes. Just imagine crossing Hape Creek after rain? There were predominantly only foot bridges going over the creek - as shown in the photo above. Pay attention to the details on the woman's dress - the hard life on the goldfield wasn't going to defeat these pioneers. Standards were maintained, a visit to the main business district required 'Sunday Best' clothing.
Take the Challenge
Look at your favourite photographs of The Thames. What stories can you conjure up about the people on the streets.
Let's see...maybe this is my Great-Great Grandmother who has been to the Post Office to send a letter to her grandmother back in Scotland or mother-in-law in Ireland. Perhaps her mother is coming for a visit from Auckland, the ship is due to pull in at the Shortland Landing on the next high tide. Or maybe she waits expectantly to see if her husband Clement will find some gold to put food on the table! Oh no! Clement has been spotted - he is at the Court House speaking to James Mackay, (taking out yet another Miner's Right). This time Clement is positive that he has found the next greatest claim! The rest is History!
