Thames (NZ): Xmas Parade 13 December 2019

Where does the year go! Days rush past and here it was, time for the Thames Santa / Xmas Parade.

Change of day and time, this year held on a Friday at 6pm. The parade lasted approximately 30 minutes, and there was a wide variety of quality floats.

The photos below, tell the story, enjoy :)

 

 

 

 

 

 Thames Heritage Network's Float

 

 

 

 

 

  
 

Thames Museum

 

Thames Library

 

 

 

 

 

Thames Tongan Community

  

 

Thames (NZ): Thames newspapers historical reports on Whakaari White Island

Today came the devastating news of an eruption on Whakaari White Island, with many hurt and a yet unconfirmed number missing.

A report on the Stuff website outlined the number of times the island has erupted and historical reports in the newspapers on Papers past. From the 1880s, miners worked on the island mining for sulphur. There were periods where the volcano has been more active, and then 10 September 1914, 10 men were killed when the crater wall collapsed causing a landslide.

"Sulfur mining on White Island recommenced in the late 1920s but proved uneconomic and ceased in the early 1930s. A total of 11,000 tonnes had been obtained. Today the island is a privately owned scenic reserve and tourism venture." Source: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/eruption-white-island-kills-10-people

Reports on White Island in the historic Thames Star (TS) & Thames Advertiser (TA) Newspapers:

The Thames papers are online from 1874 editions, and there are 308 'hits' for the term "White Island" - a selection of snippets follow.

1874 April 2 TA: Reports that the ss Southern Cross was taking a tourist excursion to White Island / Whakaari.

1874 May 8 TA: a full description of the two hours that the excursionists spent on the island was published. (part of report right)

1874 July 7 TA: News that the feasibility of using the sulphur commercially on White Island was being explored.

During 1875 - 1876 reports focused on when the island was most active, gauged by the amount of steam that was seen from coastal areas such as Tauranga.

1878 April 28 TA: the first shipment of sulphur was made from White Island, and transported to Melbourne.

1880 September 8 TS: Local man William Plant had used material from White Island to make a sample of plaster of Paris. It was agreed the product was of excellent quality, but the demand for it was not great in New Zealand.

During the 1880s, Mr Wilson the owner of the island received regular orders for the sulphur obtained on the island. While there were continued episodes of increased volcanic activity and eruptions, some of which would force the workers to temporarily leave the island.

1902 September 13 TS: Thamesites read that White Island had been described as "perhaps, the most extraordinary island in the world." In May 1909, the island went through another active cycle.

1914 May 27 TS: The news that a fireman had died from an accident while working on the island. Then on the 21 September the Thames Star reported on the loss of eleven lives on White Island.

This articles was nearly two weeks after the event had taken place. During the intervening days, there had been another tragedy at Taupiri, that involved several Thamesites. Forty-three miners were killed in an explosion at Huntly 12 September 1914.

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Today, Monday 9 Decemebr 2019, is another very sad day in New Zealand history - our thoughts and prayers to all those who have been touched by this tragedy.

Thames (NZ): Victoria Park revisited through the lens of William A Price

Early 1900s: Victoria Reserve and waterfront, Thames.
Ref: 1/2-001550-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23019249

We were talking about the Pacific Hotel a few weeks back, this phototograph by William A Price was taken from the hotel, looking west at Victoria Park. A great view that shows the inner boundary footpath that was around the inner perimeter of the park. The photograph was one of several taken by William A Price of landmarls around the town of Thames in the early 1900s.

Above Present day Google map street view. From the site where the Pacific Hotel stood, looking down Albert Street. The end of Albert Street that led to the wharf and railway line.

A Closer Look:

There is no sign of the old wharf that was quickly erected when the goldfield opened.

The road way access is in poor condition.

There are fishing nets drying on the poles centre left.

The man on the right looks like he has been for his morning paper!

There is a sign in the centre - maybe it says keep away from the new trees!

Who was William A Price (1866-1948):

Name Price, William Archer
Studio address Queen Street, Northcote 1911;Herne Bay, Auckland City 1937?
Known years of operation 1911 to 1937
Source Auckland Directory (1911), p314; J B Turner, History of Photography in New Zealand (1986), p5; Main and Jackson, "Wish You Were Here" (2005), p73.
Remarks William Archer Price 1866-1948 began publishing postcards around 1906 and was initially based in Wanganui, before moving to Northcote (Auckland) around 1907, then on to Herne Bay, and finally Ponsonby. His early postcards were imprinted "The W.A.P Colour Photographic Series. Wanganui Photo Co NZ", which became "Wanganui Photo Co, Northcote, Auckland, NZ", and then "W.A. Price Photo Co".

Source: Photographers Database, Auckland Libraries  

Numbering on Photographs:

Photographers typically numbered their postcard views. In the case of the above Price photograph, it is numbered 1390D. Below left is 1391D and on the right 1389D - they are all views taken in Prices' panorama view of Victoria Park.

 

Above left: Caption: Victoria Park, Thames. Ref: 1/2-001166-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22795620

Above right: Caption: Victoria Reserve, Thames. Ref: 1/2-001548-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22801191

Thames (NZ): Historic Kopu Bridge Society Subs due

Do you want to keep up-to-date with the restoration work being done to 'open' the 'old' Kopu Bridge?

Why not join the Society, the cost for this year is just $20. The HKBS send out very comprehensive newsletters to keep members informed, they also maintain a website and facebook page.

Yes, and like all Thames heritage groups in Thames they need ongoing help. There is a working bee coming up Saturday 7 December - details below.

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Views from the Past

New Zealand Herald 12 May 1928

Thames Star 11 May 1928