Thames (NZ): SECOND LOOK - General View of Thames (Grahamstown) c1900

Another look at the postcard, many Thamesites' favourite due to the intricate colouring. What can you see? It is easy to let ones eye just scan and say I know that one. Take another look and see what landmarks you can spot, what streets can you name. Some clues will be given later in the post. But for now lets stop and see what else this card can reveal. Many posters don't share the purpose of the card - that is what was on the back!

 

 The card was written by William Coad to G Kallyell (?), 190 Elizabeth Street, Hobart, Tasmania.
"Thames, 29/9/07.  Received four nice cards from you on Friday last. Liked the Greetings card very much. The View on this card is another one of Thames. The big Chimney in foreground is attached to a big pumping plant for draining the water from our gold mines. Kind regards, Wm Coad."

There was William Coad who was a stationer on the corner of Sealey and Pollen Streets, also a William Coad who was a miner.

Some of things to find:

Big square tower to right of centre is Price's Foundry, on Owen Street.

A tennis court at corner of Bella and Cochrane Streets.

Martha Street running on west side of Waiokaraka School. Look at all the striped verandah roofs that we spotted also in Pahau Street - a Thames favourite!

Cornwall Arms Hotel on corner of Pollen and Cochrane Streets. Although this postcard was posted 1907, the photo was taken before the second floor renovations around 1906.

Saxon Mine, corner of Albert and Pollen Street.

Burke Street Wharf and Grahamstown Railway Station on Beach Road.

 

Good luck, taking a second look at any postcards you have or see - and remember to see what gems are written on the back!



Thames (NZ): Pollen Street House Identification - help needed

Where was this house? I search endlessly at old photographs trying to identify what should be easy, a two storied house in Pollen Street. It makes me wonder whether it is in the central part of town between Sealey and Willoughby Street - where not many west side photos exist.

Can you identify where it was? It appeared in the Thames Star 4 July 1966.

 

UPDATE: 17 February 2015

After lots of help and suggestions from the facebook Thamesite community we have found our way to the Pollen Street block - between Richmond and Sealey Street intersects. On the west side where there is now a car yard seems the best option so far.

 Above: the possible house is starting top left, the second building down, double roof. The big hall half way down is where Toyota Motors are today on corner of Pollen and Sealey Streets.
Below: another angle, the house is about centre of photo.

 Source 1951 Photo of Thames

Thames, Thames - Coromandel District. Whites Aviation Ltd :Photographs. Ref: WA-27515-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/30118564

Thames (NZ): LANDMARK - TABLE MOUNTAIN (Te Kohatu-whakairi-a-Ngatoroirangi)

When you return to Thames, do you ever look to spy Table Mountain up the Kauaeranga? Appearing majestic, but speak to anyone who has been there, and they often describe the nightmare of tramping in the swampy area. It has remained a fascinating subject for photographers throughout the decades.

Description: TABLE MOUNTAIN, A WELL- KNOWN PICTURESQUE LANDSCAPE BETWEEN THAMES AND MERCURY BAY, AUCKLAND.
Taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 28 SEPTEMBER 1905 p014
Source:  ' Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19050928-14-3 '

BACKGROUND:

Table Mountain – Te Kohatu-whakairi-a-Ngatoroirangi; ‘up-raise rock of Ngatoroirangi’. Ngatoroirangi was the priestly navigator on the Te Arawa waka, said to have raised a rock in the ranges to signal his arrival. English name deriving from its flat-top physical shape.
Source: TCDC Places of the Coromandel

In "Te Takoto O Te Whenua O Hauraki, Hauraki Landmarks" by Taimoana Turoa (Edited by Te Ahukaramu Charles Royal), further information on the mountain is given. The Tribal area is Ngati Maru, Ngatei Hei. It is 846m high. "Maori stories report the presence of eels, kokopu (freshwater fish) and koura (freshwater crayfish) in the swamps."

There are reports of kauri logging and collection of Kauri gum in the area, along with some limited mining. During 1918-1928, 0.3 million feet  of kauri was collected from the Table Mountain area. Jim O'Neill "had a hauler 600m in up the southern slopes of Table Mountain feeding a second hauler at loading skids beside Kauaeranga tramline." (Kauaeranga Kauri by B W Hayward) There were also larger amounts of kauri gathered in the surrounding area.

In the 1900s, there is a store that gives its address as Table Mountain. Magill's Store, Table Mountain. There is a John Magill at Gumtown, so this could be a different location.

Description: Looking northeast along the Kauaeranga Valley, near Thames, showing Table Mountain (left distance, partially obscured), and the Maori Chief formation (centre), with the Kauaeranga River visible in the foreground

Source: 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC249'

It was not just photographers that were fascinated by Table Mountain and the Kauaeranga River, many artists over the years have painted the scene.  The one below was done by D Barker of Thames, c1970

Further information on Table Mountain:
-> YouTube video of tramp across Table Mountain
-> Geology and eruptive history of Table Mountain area, Coromandel Peninsula
-> TABLE MOUNTAIN (2,745’) is a flat topped mountain with extremely steep sides. There is a very impressive backdrop to the Kauaeranga Valley.
-> Toss Hammond Oral history - trip to Table Mountain 1888 at The Treasury
-> Map of the Kauaeranga Valley and Table Mountain.

A comment below mentions another artist who painted around Thames. Here is some background on artist William Henry Longmuir Smith:

Thames (NZ): Collage of photos 1920

Description: FORMERLY A WELL-KNOWN MINING TOWN, BUT NOW A FLOURISHING CENTRE FOR THE OUTLYING DAIRYING COUNTRY: VIEWS OF THE THAMES AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY.

Taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 28 October 1920 p039

Source:  Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19201028-39-1 '

 

Cropped enlargements of photos below

 

Thames (NZ): Memories - Arnott's Stores

Two previous blog posts have looked at the shops at Fenton Street, Thames. The 1951 view was explored, along with the first shop in 1895 that belonged to Mrs Grubb. In later years the shop at the east end (nearest to Heale Street) was Arnott's IGA Store. You could buy a good range of groceries and fresh fruit.

  1967 - Arnott's IGA Store at corner of Fenton and Heale Streets, Thames
Source: Thames Goldfields Centennial 1867 to 1967

Below: The corner today, the buildings are now private residences.

The other Arnott's store was located on Mary Street, operating as Arnott's Wholesale. This was located where the present Thames Birthing Unit is today, opposite Thames Hospital.

 1967 - Mary Street, Thames

Source: Thames Goldfields Centennial 1867 to 1967

Below: The Thames Birthing Unit on the site of the Arnott's Wholesale shop.

Thames (NZ): House of Hotunui

PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE HOUSE OF HOTUNUI

Location: Corner of Fenton and Bowen (aka Rolleston) Streets, Thames

Built: 1875-1878

Officially Opened: 19 September 1878

Moved: 1925 to Auckland  On Display from: 1929 (Dedication 29 November 1929)

Present Location: Auckland War Memorial Museum, Auckland

 

Background: "Hotunui is the great meeting house of the Hauraki peoples. Built as a marriage present by the Ngāti Awa tribe, Hotunui once stood at Pārāwai near Thames, where this photograph was taken. It is now held at the Auckland Museum."

Source: http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/756/hotunui-meeting-house

 

View of the Thames Meeting House "Hotunui" photographed by the Burton Brothers in the 1880s

Inscriptions: Inscribed - Photographer's title on negative -bottom left: 3228 - Taipari's House - Thames Burton Bros Dunedin.

 

Source: Burton Brothers (Dunedin, N.Z.). Hotunui Meeting House, Thames. Burton Bros. Ref: PA7-05-19. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22672514

 

c1925 The meeting house is being dismantled.

 

Source: M Cunningham Collection, The Treasury

 

NOTICE OF DEDICATION 1929

New Zealand Herald 22 November 1929

A full description of the opening dedication for the meeting house is in the Auckland Star, 29 November 1929, Page 8. Part of it reads: This morning's ceremony was really the Maori part of the opening of Auckland's splendid memorial, and it was most fitting that our native friends should carry out things in their own way. Of late years they have been looking more and more to the museum as the natural treasure house for their heirlooms; they realise that in the museum's safe keeping the remains of their art and culture are not lost, but preserved for both Maori and pakeha. "Haeremai!"

 

The two photos above are old postcards of the House of Hotunui, at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

The inscriptions on the back read:

Left Postcard: Hotunui: A meeting house for tribal assemblies and the entertainment of guests. Named after the ancestor of Ngati-Maru people of Thames.

Right Postcard: Interior of the Meeting House Hotunui: Lighting used to be from fires on the floor, and these would have cause the paua shell eyes of the carved figures, which represent ancestors, to gleam in the flickering light.

 

Further information: Link to Auckland War Memorial Museum

Details of restoration work 2013

FORMAL OPENING 19 September 1878

 (Bay of Plenty Times 21 September 1878)

 

Thames (NZ): 1951 view of Fenton Street Shops

A previous blog post looked at the first shop in Fenton Street in 1895, that belonged to Mrs GRUBB.

Here is a 1951 view of the shops in Fenton Street, where Mrs Grubb first had her shop. They are at the lower right end of the photo, on the left (west) side of Heale Street. The road running across the lower section of the photo is Fenton Street. See Thames South School over to the left of the photo on Rolleston Street - in those days known as Bowen Street.

In the 1950-51 Street Directory the residences on the north side of Fenton Street from Bowen to Heale Street are: Roy Johns, Clk; Dgls McDonnell, Mech; Jno Beckett; R R Christie, Clk; Gren W Purchase, Grocer; Mrs M Purchase, Store.

Below is an enlargement, showing the shops at the corner of Heale and Fenton Streets, Thames in 1951.

Above: April 1951, Thames.

Source: Thames, Thames - Coromandel District. Whites Aviation Ltd :Photographs. Ref: WA-27514-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/30116575

Thames (NZ): Meteors over Thames

Somethings never change on the Thames Goldfield. Last night, Wednesday 11 February 2015, there was much speculation about the flash of light and the enormous boom that shook the homes of the residents of Thames. We rushed out on the street to see if everyone was alright. Thanks to social media, we soon learnt that it was probably a meteor that entered the Earth's atmosphere sometime around 10pm.

These events were almost regular for the early pioneers on the goldfield, as reports in the Thames papers give testimony to these sightings. A selection are included below.

Thames Advertiser 23 November 1875

 

 

Thames Star 12 June 1877

 

 Thames residents were fascinated by these events. No doubt because of the enthusiasm of the local scientific community, of which there were several great names on The Thames. One such man was John Grigg. Local music shop owner, music teacher, composer and world renown astronomer. Thames pre 1900, was a place of learning and the community relished evenings where academics would speak on 'worldly' or scientific subjects. Places like the Academy of Music and other halls would be full of eager folk, wanting to learn the latest thoughts and news.

In the Thames Advertiser 14 August 1891, Grigg wrote to the paper, requesting any further information on the latest meteor that had been sighted by the residents of Thames.

 

There would much more excitement in the skies over Thames - thanks to the work of Mr John Grigg. But that will be kept for another story. In the meantime, a full obituary for Mr Grigg appeared in the Thames Star 21 June 1920 for those who would like to know more about this important man in Thames history.

 

   

Thames (NZ): Bike Ride to Tararu - Second look

 The Fishing Rocks just north of Tararu, feature on many postcards. Sometimes they are coloured, sepia or greyscale. Usually they have some folk on bikes, or walking along the rode, maybe a buggy passing by.

Source: A Barker Collection

What does a SECOND LOOK, tell us about the scene. The people riding the bikes are often women, riding in small groups. In this example there are three women, smartly dressed, with beautiful wide hats. There long hair, secured under their hats. Women on the goldfield were an adventurous lot, and very independent. Often they had to be, their boyfriends/husbands/fathers working long hours in the mines. They did things that women in other areas may not have had the opportunities to tackle. It was quite normal to set off on a ride, the bicycle was liberating for both men and women alike, allowing them to travel so much easier.

 Have they stopped because they are tired? Was this the traditional turning point? Lets ride to the fishing rocks and back. The lady on the left has something on her handlebars, has she taken a drink? Something to eat?? Or something to repair the bikes if required??? The road appears relatively smooth, although there are still loose rocks which would have to watched for, or an accident could have easily happened. All in all, it looks like it was a great day out! Shall we come back again next Sunday? I hear them call.

The fishing rocks area today - the wide still not very wide!
Source: Google maps

There were many cycling clubs in Thames during the late 1800s, and races and rambles were popular for both men and women. Opening day of the cycling season was a major event for the town, as shown in the 1898 photograph below.

Description: 1898. Looking east up the Waiotahi Valley, from the corner of Williamson Street where it meets the beach (now Beach Road), Thames, showing the Royal Hotel on the corner Williamson and Owen Streets (centre) and Messenger's Hill (left rear horizon), and a crowd of cyclists gathered for the opening of the cycling season.
Source: 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-18981125-1-1'

Description: 1899. Group portrait of members of the Thames Cycling Club and their bicycles. Source: 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-18991208-5-5'.

Further information:
PLAYING SPORT on the THAMES GOLDFIELDS: 1867 - 1920, by Althea Barker

To Find A Fortune, Women of the Thames Goldfield 1867-1893 by Rosemary Killip, Victoria University of Wellington, 1995

Thames (NZ): Thames Plunket Rooms

THAMES PLUNKET SOCIETY:
Thames took an interest in the Plunket movement from the time it was formed in 1907 in New Zealand. Not found yet is when the society was actually founded in the town but it was definitely formed in Thames pre 1923. Dr Derrick's wife was credited with being instrumental in getting the society started, the actual date not yet found. The Auckland newspapers report regularly during the 1920s regarding the strength of the society in Thames and the excellent work they were doing. Their biggest supporter was The Thames Old Girls' Association who met regularly in Auckland. They were a group of women who never forgot the pioneering years on the goldfield. They were active making clothes and raising money for a new Plunket rooms at Thames. Money was even received from old Thamesites residing overseas. Mrs Neil was one of these women who sent a donation from America. (Auckland Star, 9 May 1928)

At the Annual General Meeting of the Thames Plunket Society in April 1928, the number of visits to the Pollen Street Plunket rooms were 3084 and 1057 home visits were made.

PROPOSAL AND SITE FOR PLUNKET ROOMS:
"Thames Plunket Society. The proposal to erect a new building for the Thames branch of The Plunket Society has been advanced by the Thames Borough Council's decision to grant the society permission to erect the building on a reserve fronting Queen Street. The society for some years rented a small building in Pollen Street, until sufficient funds were available for the erection of its own rooms. An early meeting of the advisory board of the society is to be called to consider the matter." (Auckland Star 13 September 1932)

In 1932 plans were submitted to the Thames Borough for a new building at Sealey Street. (Source: TCDC Consent Tracker) Part of the plan is below, which appears to be a similar design to the building that would be built in 1933.

 

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21572, 17 August 1933, Page 18

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21665, 4 December 1933, Page 16

1933 Drainage permit for new Plunket Rooms

 (Source: TCDC Consent Tracker)

  NEW PLUNKET ROOMS 1933:
"New Plunket Rooms. The new rooms erected for the Thames Plunket -Society on the borough reserve in Queen Street, facing Sealey Street, are almost completed, and the official opening ceremony will take place on Saturday afternoon, December 9. Visitors will subsequently be entertained at an "At Home" in the Masonic Hall, Mackay Street." (Auckland Star, 1 December 1933)

The papers reported that the building and furnishings had cost 700 Pounds, of which the Old Thames Girls Association of Auckland had raised 340 Pounds.It was seen as a "memorial of their fathers and mothers to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Thames."

 A view of the waiting room area appeared in "A Voice for Mother" by L Bryden. My memories of the room in the 1980s have it looking very much the same!

In 2000, the Thames Coromandel District Council approved a permit for the removal of the Plunket Rooms at 301B Queen Street, Thames. The building built in part by the Pioneers of Thames was no longer wanted, and was moved to Pipiroa.

Background:
New Zealand PLUNKET SOCIETY
Thames Plunket Clinic: 702 Cochrane Street, Thames MAP