Thames Museum Te Whare Taonga o te Kauaeranga
Thames Lions Club Heritage Trail
Background: After the Thames Centennial, the Lions Club members of Thames set about on a special project to commemorate the old goldfield landmarks around the town. In more recent years extra information has been added to the first "yellow heritage signs".
Take a walk, bike or drive and discover the Goldfield’s landmarks. Can’t visit them all? Follow the journey below.
NB. Some signs may have been renewed and look 'different'. The Lions Club updated many of the signs adding photos and extra information. You sometimes may find a sign has gone MISSING, please let us know. Email Thames Museum. Maps available at Thames Museum and at end of page. Click images for larger views. PAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
PART A: Tararu to Grahamstown
Stop 1: NORTH SCHOOL, 604 Tararu Road (by Thames Arts & Crafts Centre).
The school was first called Tararu School. There were many schools in early Thames. One called Shellback, was further south along the bay, which closed soon after Tararu opened in 1878 (not 1887 as on sign). Around 1915, Tararu changed its name to North School. The building is now used as an arts and cultural centre.
Stop 2: KURANUI BATTERY SITE, Tararu Road (By Kuranui-Eureka Road).
This was near the site of the first steam operated 6 battery which later increased to 20 stamps. Built to crush ore from the rich Shotover Mine and later from many other claims.
Stop 3: SHOTOVER MINE, Tararu Road (By Kuranui-Eureka Road).
Up the road is the site of the first major gold discovery 10 August 1867. A gold bearing reef was discovered under a waterfall. The lives of the four prospectors - Messrs Cobley, Hunt, White and Clarkson would be changed forever.
The mine produced 102,000 ounces of bullion, worth about $70 million at 2008 value.
Travel south along Tararu Road, signs on left
Stop 4: LONG DRIVE, Tararu Road (South of Kuranui-Eureka Road).
The Long Drive 1867 - 1878, contained several rich reefs, including the Duke of Edinburgh. Together they produced 42,106 ounces bullion worth about $34 million at 2008 value.
Stop 5: MOANATAIARI TUNNEL, Tararu Road (South of Kuranui-Eureka Road).
The Moanataiari (in early days sometimes spelt as in the sign), was 2000 metres long. It was started as a mine and later used as the main passageway for several linked mines to transport ore to the surface for crushing at a battery.
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| Present day view of the signs for the Long Drive and Moanataiari Tunnel |
Stop 6: BIG PUMP, Queen Street (Opposite St John's office/yards)
The Big Pump was established in 1873. The purpose was to drain the adjacent deep level mines to a depth of 195 metres. It continued to work until 1900. It used important pumping technology of the time supported by local industry.
Travel south towards the Goldmine Experience on the left
Stop 7: CALEDONIAN MINE, S-E Corner Moanataiari Creek Rd & Queen Street.
The Caledonian Mine, Thames Greatest Bonanza. Typical of many Thames mines, in that it was extremely rich but for a short time. In 1871, 10 ton bullion was produced. Total production worth about $200 million at 2008 value.
Tookey's Shaft, 126 metres deep, the mine produced about $11 million of bullion. It was named after prominent early miner and land owner, Daniel Tookey.
Stop 9: GOLDEN CROWN MINE, Queen Street (By Goldmine Experience).
Golden Crown Mine, open 1868 to 1886. The mine was another example of a great bonanza that produced more than $7 million (2009 value) of bullion (gold and silver). The original shaft reached 123 metres. It led to the discovery of the Caledonian Mine.
Stop 10: CALEDONIAN STAMPER BATTERY, Queen Street (By the Gold Experience).
The Caledonian Stamper Battery was the largest battery built on the Goldfields with 62 stamps. Funded by the 1871 Caledonia Bonanza strike.
Stop 11: MANUKAU MINE, Queen Street (By Goldmine Experience).
The Manukau Mine operated 1868 to 1893. It was a chance bonanza find by 'Manukau Jones', By 2009 values the mine produced about $1.6 million of bullion (Gold and Silver).
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| General area of Manukau Mine on the left |
Turn left at corner to Waiotahi Road, just south of Goldmine Experience
Stop 12: WAIOTAHI MINE, Corner Waiotahi Road & Pollen Street.
The Waiotahi Mine, open 1870s to 1914, had the second greatest bonanza in 1904. Total production 253 ounces bullion. The mine closed in 1914 when the Thames Hauraki Pump ceased operating.
Stop 13: BURKE STREET WHARF, West end of Burke Street.
The Burke Street Wharf was once a hive of activity with ships such as the ps Wakatere travelling to and from Auckland. Due the tidal problems at the Thames, and silting, the wharf was part of a large Harbour Scheme in the 1920s. The key to Thames' economy rested on being able to have a reliable deep water anchorage. The project failed, and was a contributor to an economic crisis for the Borough. The majority of the old wharf now is buried during the reclamation, but a length of piles still protrudes out into the sea.
Stop 14: A & G PRICE LTD, Corner Burke & Owen Streets.
A & G Price Ltd, Engineers of Thames. The business was established in Thames in 1868 by brothers George and Alfred Price. The firm manufactured machinery for the goldfields timber industry and railways. Renown for "Price" Timberjacks, and the steam locomotives that were constructed at the Beach Road premises. The foundry still operates to this day.
Stop 15: PRINCE IMPERIAL MINE, Pollen Street (Opposite Williamson St).
The Prince Imperial Mine operated 1871 to 1912. It was a very rich patch at 42ft.Said to have helped Thames through the 1880s Depression. Produced 62,6900 ounces of bullion. (shaded yellow in photo below right)
Stop 16: ORIGINAL LADY BOWEN HOTEL, Brown Street (Between Williamson & Albert Sts).
The Lady Bowen Hotel was built soon after the goldfield opened and completely rebuilt by another owner. When the licensing review closed several hotels in the 1950s, the Lady Bowen was one of them and transferred their license to the nearby Park Hotel, hence why that establishment then took the name "Lady Bowen'.
The story known most about the hotel concerns a grievance with the licensee of the Royal Hotel that led to a shoot out and a death on the board walkway that served as a footpath. The building is now a boutique bed and breakfast business.
Stop 17: BNZ SITE, Brown Street, north of Albert Street.
The Bank of New Zealand was the main bullion buying bank on the goldfield. Between 1868 and 1898 it purchased 67 tons of bullion. Built with a stone façade, the building was a major landmark in the Grahamstown business hub. In 1926, when businesses centralised to Pollen Street, the branch closed and moved to the corner Sealey & Pollen Street (where they remain to this day).
Stop 18: SCRIP CORNER, Corner of Brown & Albert Streets.
The scrip corner, famous for the stock exchange offices. Men would walk up and down crying out the shares and their prices. There were also a number of women sharebrokers on the goldfield.
Stop 19: PACIFIC HOTEL, Corner of Brown & Albert Streets
The Pacific Hotel was a large hotel that had a back balcony facing the sea, which often lapped at its back entrance, Attached to the hotel was the Academy of Music which was an entertainment hub for the area. Sporting and general entertainment held at the hall, attracting entertainers from all around the world. The longtime owner Mr Curtis was renown for his 4th of July celebrations.
For more information on the hotel Click here
Stop 21: MINERS UNION HALL, Queen Street (South of Albert Street).
Miners Union Hall. The largest meting was held January 1890 forming a branch of Amalgamated Miners Association of Australasia. The Thames Miners Union formed March 8 1890, later other branches formed around the district.
Stop 22: OLD COURTHOUSE, Queen Street (Between Albert & Cochrane Streets).
The Government Building complex included offices for many departments, including Police, Engineering, Mining, Post & Telegraph, Resident Magistrate and Survey Office. The building opened in 1870, and was an upgrade of the first provincial building in Grey Street. Part of the old building remains to this day.
Stop 23: GRAHAMSTOWN RAILWAY STATION, Beach Road (Opposite Cochrane St).
The Thames Line opened in 1898, twenty years after the first sod was turned. The Grahamstown Railway Station, was located further north past the band rotunda at Victoria Park. It was the principal railway station when the rail link opened in 1898. In the 1920s the building was shifted to the Shortland Railway Station, Queen Street.
Stop 24: CHARLES JUDD LTD, Queen Street (Opposite Amy St).
Stop 25: THAMES HAURAKI PUMPING PLANT, Waiokaraka Road (Behind Pump House).
Thames-Hauraki Pumping Plant, was on the site of the "Queen of Beauty" mine. Depth 1000ft (305m). Housed pumping machinery to drain shafts. Ceased pumping 1914.
Stop 26: KELLY & LEWIS COMPRESSOR, Corner Waiokaraka Road & Bella St
The compressor was first used in Waihi Mines then at Thames County Matatoki Quarry. Purchased by Roberts fmily for goldmining at the New Caledonian Mine, Moanataiari Creek Road, Thames.
Stop 27: QUEEN OF THE MAY MINE, Corner Waiokaraka Rd & Bella Street.
Queen of the May Mine, was in operation until 1914, one of three shafts in the Waiokaraka Valley which produced a total of 68,000 ounces of bullion.
Stop 28: BRIGHT SMILE MINE, Mackay Street.
Bright Smile Mine, also known as Piako, produced 39,106 tons crushed for 40,191 ounces of bullion. Operated 1871 to 1886. The shaft collapsed in 1879.
In later years the land was used by Central School as a playground, and there continued to be several collapses around the shaft area. Now the site of the Bright Smile Gardens, eastern side of Mackay Street.
Stop 29: ST JAMES CHURCH, Corner Pahau & Pollen Streets.
St James Church was built in 1898. This was the third church building, the first Presbyterian Church was in Richmond Street, and the next was the building now used as the church hall facing Pahau Street.
A heritage listed building, it is the finest New Zealand example of wooden gothic architecture. Made from locally milled kauri timber. The first minister was John McKenzie. The church is now a Union parish, the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations merged in 1973.
End of Grahamstown section of the tour
PART B: Shortland Town to Pārāwai
Stop 30: GAS WORKS, Queen Street, by Thames War Memorial Civic Centre.
The Thames Gas Works opened in 1872. The company supplied gas for street lights and houses from 1873 to 1914. Thames Gas Company was superseded by municipal electricity supply in 1914. Some of the earliest buildings to have gas lighting and heating was the St George Anglican church and the residence of Rev V Lush.
For Then & Now photos of the Gasworks - Click hereStop 31: THAMES VALLEY RAILWAY, Mary Street (By Goldfields Mall entrance).
Thames Valley Railway, the first sod was turned by Sir George Grey, Thames Member of Parliament and later Premier, The ceremonial turning of the ground took place December 21st 1878. It would be another 20 years before the Thames Railway was finally opened.
Stop 32: WAKATERE PADDLE STEAMER, Porritt Park, Queen Street.
When this sign was erected the playship Wakatere was in the playground. In 2016, the boat was demolished to make way for the skate park. Built in Scotland, the Wakatere arrived in Auckland in 1896, provided a vital link between the Thames goldfields and Auckland, until 1926.
Stop 33: SHORTLAND RAILWAY STATION, Queen Street (Outside Ngāti Maru Office).
Shortland Railway Station, a branch of the new Thames Line in 1898. The main station was further north at Grahamstown on Bach Road. Shortland took over as the main station in 1920s, this coincided with the business centre of the town moving from Grahamstown to the central Pollen Street area.
Stop 34: THAMES AERATED WATER CO., West side of Pollen Street (Between Grey & Willoughby Streets block).
Site of Thames Aerated Water Co. In 1889, taken over by Grey & Menzies. Famous for their cordials and mineral water drinks.
Stop 39: FIRST ROAD CONNECTION, S-W end of Barrett Road, Parawai.
Some of the information on this sign is incorrect. Yes, sea transport was the main way early travellers came and went from the Thames. With boats to Auckland and up the local rivers.
"The original Kauaeranga road bridge was opened on 17th November 1877. It was built approximately 1.5 km upstream from the current bridge site, close to what is now the Thames Racecourse. This bridge was severely weakened by the passage of kauri logs being towed from the Parawai Booms, several hundred metres upstream, and was eventually washed away by a flood in" 1924. About this time the new Kauaeranga River bridge was opened 1924, adjacent to where the present one is today.
NB The Borough of Thames was formed in 1873
Stop 40: SHORTLAND CEMETERY, Danby Street
Shortland Cemetery opened about 1869, after negotiations with Chief Taipari and James Mackay. There were many burials in the cemetery before official records started. The first section was up the top of hill, that created problems for the funeral procession. The flat area is a later extension. The cemetery is closed, with no further interments taking place. Over the years the cemetery has suffered storm damage from fallen trees, and water damage.
Stop 41: CONSOLS SHAFT, Corner of Mill & Cook Streets.
Consols Shaft, the mine produced 8,250 ounces of gold bullion, worth 21,764 Pounds. It was the best production in the Hape Valley.
Stop 42: PHOENIX BREWERY, Court Street (Outside Thames Bowling Club).
Soon after the goldfield opened, brothers Louis and Bernard Ehrenfried opened the Phoenix brewery. The water source came from an underground spring on the site. It was largely destroyed by fire in 1887.
Ehrenfried amalgamated with Auckland brewer Sir John Logan Campbell in 1897 to form Campbell & Ehrenfried. Later they joined with the Great Northern Brewery to form the Lion Brewery Company.
Stop 43: FIRST GOLD DISCOVERY, Karaka Road, past Thames Hospital.
Maori prospectors Wirope Hoterence Taipari, Paratene Whakautu and Hamiora Te Nana found a small amount of gold on the south bank of the Karaka Stream. This led to negotiations to open the land as a goldfield in 1867.
Thanks for taking the tour
REFERENCE MAPS
Copies of map available at Thames Museum, cnr Cochrane & Pollen Sts
