Thames (NZ): WWI ROH Board at the St James Church, Thames

St James' Church ROLL OF HONOUR Board

Introduction:

When the book From Gold Mine to Firing Line was published in 2014, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the start of The Great War, we sadly missed including the St James' Roll of Honour board.

The large framed 'ROH', has been beautifully hand crafted, the text immaculately formed. It hangs at the northern entrance as you enter the church on the western wall. While we usually interpret 'Roll of Honour' as meaning those who lost their lives in the war, this one records all the names of servicemen who went to the Great War 1914-1918.

Photo Courtesy of David Wilton, Thames.

Background Thames WWI:
In 2014, 2300 names were identified for men and women who served in World War One from the greater Thames-Hauraki-Coromandel region. The 'war death' rate was 26% for the Hauraki region. 

How many men from Thames township died in the war? Initially research found that over 200 soldiers died in the war (up to 1923 which qualifies for a war related death). When considering the Thames ward (from Kereta to Hikutaia, and Kopu Bridge to Hikuai hill) - this number increased to at least 247 men. This is the number of memorial trees that are planted at the WW100 Forest at Rhodes Park, Thames. 

Please note that memorials such as the Thames Peace Memorial do not record all the ROH (or returned soldiers), and is in fact missing at least 50% of the names. There is a remembrance board outside the Thames War Memorial Hall that has a more up-to-date Roll of Honour list.

The names on the St JAMES ROH Board:
* Indicates a war death eg. KIA (Killed in Action) or DOD (Died of Disease). NOK stands for next-of-kin. Place of death is stated as France for the war deaths, and is usually recorded in the war file as on the fields of France or Belgium - based on troop movements and battle dates, it is usually possible to research and get a more accurate location.

Interesting to note that no WWI Nurses are recorded on this board, this is possibly an error and / or only servicemen were deemed eligible to go on the list.

*AGNEW, Sydney Samuel: WWI 70149 - Died at Thames 3 May 1921. Sydney was schooled at Thames and worked at A & G Price.

*AUTRIDGE, Charles H: WWI 40271 - KIA 12 October 1917 France. A carpenter at Thames, son of Mrs M Autridge of Richmond Street.

*CAMPBELL, William John: WWI 13/2308 - KIA 8 April 1918 France. Husband of Florence Campbell of Beach Road, Thames.

       

CLARK, George Smeaton: WWI 45823 - NOK Miss Mira Clark of Thames. Working as a deputy-registrar at Supreme Court in Wellington on enlistment.

CLARK, James Patterson: WWI 25059 - Brother of George Smeaton Clark, born at Thames and attended Thames High School.

COUTTS, John Elrick: WWI 2/2801 - Born at Thames, father John lived in Beach Road.

COXHEAD, Robert Alexander: WWI 8/3223 - Working as a farmer at Miranda on enlistment, his mother Mrs R Coxhead lived up the Hape Creek.

CRAWFORD, George James: WWI 44828 - Born at Thames, a farmer at Totara on enlistment. NOK Mrs A M Crawford of Totara Point.

CRAWFORD, Thomas Henry: WWI 31957 -  Born at Thames, a farmer at Totara on enlistment. NOK Mrs A M Crawford of Totara Point. Awarded the Military Medal.

CROKER, Basil Warner: WWI 8/3228 - NOK Mr P W Croker (father), an architect from Thames. Basil received the Military Medal.

DUNLOP, Gordon Aitken: WWI 11/1540 - Working as a drover on enlistment, NOK Mrs T A Dunlop of Parawai.

FISHER, Walter Donald: WWI 39657 - NOK Mrs A Fisher of Karaka Road, a labourer at Thames on enlistment.

GILLAN, Alexander: WWI 37582 - NOK Mrs Mary Ann Gillan (mother) of Puriri.

*GLESSING, John Polton Hicks: WWI 31990 KIA 4 June 1917 France - Son of John and Margaret Glessing of Thames.

*GRAHAM, Albert Edward: WWI 24/769 KIA 12 October 1917 - Son of Mr & Mrs William Graham of Terrace Street. Albert was a miner at Thames on enlistment.

       

GRAHAM, James: WWI 12/3654 - working as a labourer on enlistment, son of  Mr & Mrs William Graham of Terrace Street, Thames. 

GRAHAM, Thomas Harold: WWI 24/770 - A grocer at Galloway's in Thames, the son of Thomas Graham of Mackay Street.

GRAHAM, William James: WWI 29392 - Worked as a letter carrier in Thames before the war, son of Mr & Mrs Thomas Graham of Mackay Street.

GUY, William Duncan: WWI 47591 - Born and lived in Thames, NOK was Leslie Jackson of Baillie Street (brother-in-law).

HINDMAN, E(a)rnest George: WWI 34472 - A baker in Thames, Mother Mrs E Hindman of Karaka Creek.

HINDMAN, Fredrick William: WWI 13/2334 - A baker in Thames, Mother Mrs E Hindman of Karaka Creek.

*ISAACS, Thomas: WWI 12/398 DOD 18 March 1916 Egypt. NOK MR S Isaacs (father) of Parawai.

JAMIESON, Herbert: WWI 25/886 - A bricklayer in Thames on enlistment, mother Mrs R Jamieson lived in Augustus Street.

LAPRAIK, George: WWI 3/144 - A GP in Thames, married to Marion Eliza Lapraik nee Bush.

LAW, John Leslie: WWI 49719 - attended Kauaeranga Valley School, E Law of Claudelands.

LAW, Robert Ruther-Glen: WWI 62341 - A labourer in Thames, son of Robert and Elizabeth Law, Mackay Street.

MACKAY, Donald Meredith Gordon: WWI 24381 - Born in Scotland, worked for the Lands & Survey Department, a member of the 6th Hauraki Regiment (Thames Territorials).

McCORMICK, Allan Loughlin: WWI 16109 -  NOK Mr F McCormick (father) of Tararu, occupation farmer and blacksmith at Turua on enlistment.

McCORMICK, William Sharpe: WWI 4/1627 - Born in Thames, a miner at Waihi.

McDONALD, Ernest Bert: WWI 65773 - A baker in Thames, mother Mrs Sarah McDonald of Edward Street.

McDONALD, John William: WWI 41370 - A miner at Tararu on enlistment, NOK Mrs S McDonald (mother), Block 27, Thames.

McDONALD, Robert Henry: WWI 2/143 - A baker in Wellington, mother Mrs Sarah McDonald of Edward Street. Awarded Military Medal.

McKENZIE, Allan Leslie: WWI 30827 - A farmer on the Thames Coast, NOK Mrs M McKenzie (mother) at Tapu.

MacMORRAN, Robert Glen: WWI 32529 - A surveyor at Thames on enlistment.

*McONIE, Colin: WWI 26661 - KIA 7 June 1917 France. Father P McOnie of Mackay Street

McONIE, George: WWI 10/3022 - Father P McOnie of Mackay Street.

MENZIES, Allen Gillies: WWI 46238 - Worked as a cordial maker, the family was part of Grey & Menzies, iconic Aerated bottlers of Thames.

MITCHELL, Samuel George: WWI 47598 - NOK Mrs R Wallace, Pollen Street, Thames. An orchardist at Te Puru on enlistment.

*POTTS, John Kirker: WWI 10/1142 - KIA 8 August 1915 at Gallipoli. Son of William and Jane Potts of Thames.

             

PRICE, Arthur Gorton: WWI 36791 -  Son of George Price of Queen Street, occupation on enlistment was traveller.  (Brother of Henry & John)

PRICE, Henry (Harry) Wooles: WWI 24/888 - Son of George Price of Thames, occupation on enlistment an engineer at A & G Price. (Brother of John & Arthur)

PRICE, John Lawrence: WWI 25/805 - Son of George Price of Thames, occupation on enlistment a farmer at Matatoke. (Brother of Henry & Arthur)

*RAMSAY, Harold T: Harold Vivian Ramsay,  WWI 18080 - KIA 2 April 1918 France. Harold was a Schoolmaster at Thames High School.

SMITH, Leslie John: WWI 12/868 - son of John Smith of Rolleston Street

SMITH, Reginald Trevor: WWI 26468 - Son of Mr W T Smith of Rolleston Street, later served in WWII and was also awarded an OBE in 1942.

TAIT, Alexander R: WWI -Not yet identified.

TROTTER, William John Russell: WWI 12/912 - NOK Mrs R R Trotter of Waiomio, William was a labourer at Tapu. Awarded Military Medal.

*WALLACE, William: WWI 12/3856 - KIA 30 May 1916 France. NOK Mrs R Wallace (mother) of Pollen Street.

                   

WATSON, Donald Dr: WWI - Son of John Watson, attended Thames High, further details not known.

WATSON, William: WWI 13/2384 - A farmer on enlistment, NOK Mrs J Watson (mother) C/- A & G Price, Thames.

WYND (WIND), Sydney H: WWI 72923 - A battery-hand on enlistment. NOK Mrs Rose Wind (mother) of Franklyn Street.

SUMMARY:

Major George Lapraik
WWI Medical Corps

• Of the 51 names listed above on the ROH board, 10 men lost their lives as a result of the war. Sydney AGNEW, Charles AUTRIDGE, William CAMPBELL, John GLESSING, Albert GRAHAM, Thomas ISAACS, Colin McONIE, John POTTS, Harold RAMSAY and William WALLACE.
• There were nine sets of brothers: George & James CLARK; George & Thomas CRAWFORD; Albert & James GRAHAM; Thomas & William GRAHAM; Ernest & Fredrick HINDMAN; John & Robert LAW; Ernest, John & Robert MCDONALD; Colin & George McONIE; and Arthur, Henry & John PRICE.
• Dr George Lapraik served as a General Practitioner in the town from 1899 to 1919, which included an incredible stint during the November 1918 Influenza Epidemic. Dr Lapraik was over 50 years of age when he served on the front line during WWI. George died in 1933, and  his friends at the Thames placed a headstone on his plot at Hamilton East Cemetery. The monumental inscription reads:In loving Memory. Geo. Lapraik M.B. Mast. Surg. Univ. of Glasgow 1887. Died 7th May 1933 Aged 69 Years. He gave of his best for humanity. Erected by Thames friends.
• Another man on the list, is an example of the amazing folk that came from Thames. Reginald Trevor Smith was awarded an OBE in 1942. A boy from Thames who went onto oversee major civil engineering projects with the public works for decades. Including rebuilding after the 1931 Napier Earthquake, recovery operation at Tangiwai train disaster in 1953, conversion of trams to trolley buses in Wellington, and much more! Smith served in WWI (wounded twice), WWII with the 13th Railway Construction Company and later with the Indian Army. 

Background Reading:

• Thames WWI Roll of Honour
• WWI Doctors from Thames
• Dr George Lapraik
• Military Nurses
• WWI Tunnellers
• WWII Thames ROH
• Slideshow WWI Thames ROH
• Details of Reginald Trevor Smith's life achievements are in his war file

Thames (NZ): Take a second look 'in colour' Shortland Wharf Fishing Fleet

Yes, I am still distracted with the chance to colourise photographs thanks to MyHeritage.

As we proceed to Lockdown Level Three  (hopefully) on Tuesday 28 April 2020 - many Thamesites are debating what will be their first 'takeaway' meal!

Therefore, it is a good time to take a second look at The Shortland Wharf and the fishing fleet that was based at the wharf.

Shortland Wharf Thames - a colourised version of Dunnage Postcard No 43.

(c) A Barker Postcard Collection

I wonder how many Thamesites are craving a good old fashioned feed of 'fish & chips'?

Previous blog stories on Thames Fishing:

• Fishing Industry
• Thames Fishing Industry - the earlier days

Thames (NZ): Take a second look 'in colour' at Broad Street

What can one say...yes I am addicted to the MyHeritage 'colorized' offer, generously allowing us in these difficult times to have some FUN colourising / colorizing our favourite photographs. So I will be inundating you over the following weeks.

Looking south from Upper end of Broad Street, over Shortland (Thames). At centre right of image (amongst small group of buildings on the flat), are the premises of Butement Brothers, Manufacturers of Aerated Waters and Cordials, situated along Pollen Street. The Butement Brothers had aerated water factories established in Dunedin, Greymouth, Christchurch, Wellington and Shortland. The long white building in the centre background is Smale's Folly (Smale's Boarding House), built 1868/9. Phoenix Brewery?, centre left.

Thames Coromandel Region (N.Z.)

Source: 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A16669'

What do you think? Amazing! The roads in particular show up so clearly, the different shades of green are amazing. For some reason, the colour allows me to step back and feel a connection to the scene.

CHALLENGE TIME

One day at a time, find something to learn, find a new skill to enhance your research or story-telling skills. Most of all, take some time to reconnect with the history of the Thames.

Thames (NZ): Add some colour to your old Thames Photos

Have you ever seen those sites on facebook where people produce the most amazing colourised photographs from faded old black and whites? Wish you could get some photos adjusted?

Well ponder no longer!  Thanks to Tom for the tip-off - you can now get your photos colourised in seconds.  See below the example - the transformation thanks to MyHeritage - beware its very addictive!!

 

Photo Source: Grahamstown, Burton Brothers at Te Papa Tongarewa.

 Can you believe the different perspective and imagery that is provoked by seeing the image in colour - looking over Kirkwood and Queen Street in the 1880s.

Lets look at a few more examples.

Early Etching, view looking south over Grahamstown to Shortland Town.

Photo Source: State Library of Victoria

View of Grahamstown from the Moanataiari.

Photo Source: View of Grahamstown, American Photographic Company; Te Papa Tongarewa  

View from Lovers Walk, Waiotahi to Grahamstown north.

Photo Source: View of Grahamstown, American Photographic Company; Te Papa Tongarewa  

Isn't the colour effect amazing showing up the roads and drains, even the water ebbing over the mudflats!

Now to my favourite. Butt's corner at the south end of Pollen Street, what will colour do for our perception of this iconic photograph?

Corner of Pollen & Grey Streets, looking north.

Photo Source: View of Pollen Street, American Photographic Company; Te Papa Tongarewa  

So now for today's CHALLENGE! 
Find your favourite photographs of old Thames, and go to MyHeritage. The instructions are simple, sign in /log in, upload your photo and await the magic to happen! Turn back time, see the town as our ancestors did - the spectacular 'colour' of the old goldmining town.

Thames (NZ): Take another look at Papers Past

How often do you search at Papers Past for news related to Thames?

Do you search multiple or single editions? Do you refine results or use various Search techniques?

Maybe, you have been overwhelmed by the number of search results.

How about taking this CHALLENGE. 

• Try selecting one paper (preferably one of the smaller companies) and use various search terms related to your Thames research.
• A new paper listed this April that I chose to look at is: The Saturday Advertiser 1875-1878.

The Saturday Advertiser - Any news from Thames?

Background on the paper: "One of the liveliest weekly newspapers began as a stand-alone publication but was later bought by a daily. It was also one of the earliest attempts to create a national newspaper." 

Search Results: Using "THAMES" there are 269 results, not all related to Thames, New Zealand. Here are a few examples.

• Missing Friends. It was not uncommon for the papers of this era to have lists of uncollected mail, addressed to settlers who had long left their town and ventured elsewhere. In the newspaper 21 August 1875 was a MISSING FRIEND notice. Have you by chance seen Francis C Morpeth of the Thames Goldfield?
  
• Good news on 4 September 1875, the Thames Gas Company had declared a 10 percent dividend.
• 18 September 1875 it was reported that Mr Rees had challenged the leaders of the Government movement at the Thames to a meeting!
• Floods had hit the town in November 1875.
• The 'State' of the country was discussed 13 November 1875 - with mention of the Gold production at Thames around 1870 but then the disappointment that the hopeful leads had not produced more.
• Lots of general news appears under the title "Watchman". Such as 8 April 1876, when it was noted that a destructive fire had taken place at the Thames which destroyed several shops and the Congregational Church at Grahamstown.
• Maori Superstition was discussed 1 December 1877, relating to the death of a man named Te Moananui at the Thames.
• In various editions the history of  Captain Cook visit to the Thames was discussed.
• The paper 22 December 1877, reported that Mr Firth had liberated 9000 young trout in the Thames River tributaries.
• The results of the Thames Electoral Census were reported 4 May 1878. The total population was 12,516; in 1874 it was 12,289 and in 1871 it was 11,950.

Births, Marriages & Deaths:

• 13 December 1875: Mrs John Cashell of Willoughby Street, Thames had given birth to a baby daughter on the 29th October.
• 29 January 1876: William Price (builder of Auckland) married Isabella Graham Aitken (daughter of Thomas Aitken the dispenser at Thames Hospital. The ceremony was performed by Rev Lush at the St George's Church on the 11th January.

Letters to the Editor: One of the most interesting aspects of the paper was the 'answers to correspondents' where the Editor explained to submitters why their letters had been refused or accepted. WARHAWK of Thames was reassured that the paper was independent regarding politics and M.C.T. from the Shotover had a reply on mining payouts. (see below)

SATURDAY ADVERTISER, ISSUE 29, 29 JANUARY 1876

On 15 July 1876, M.S.L of Thames was informed his letter would not be published "Its publication could do no good, and would only tend to lead us into a religious controversy, a thing which we are anxious to avoid."

A controversial issue was raised on 4 August 1877 - a letter from ORANGEMAN of Thames was refused publication. 'We must positively refuse to insert your contribution, as it is calculated to wound the feelings of a large number of our fellow colonists." A long explanation followed and ended with "Write sensibly and temperately, and our columns will be open to you, but not otherwise."

Follow-up:
While there were Morpeth's in the Thames area, no evidence as yet that Francis Morpeth mined or lived at the Thames.

Showing interior view of St Georges Church, Thames looking towards the altar and a member of the clergy standing up the front, 1874

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-6358'

Thames (NZ): Karaka Road homes 1868 / 1870s - a Second Look

Description: Looking over Karaka Creek, Thames, showing Bulls Battery (centre foreground); St Georges Church (right rear); miners' tents, raupo huts (left foregound and centre), privies, and cottages.

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 4-RIC134

Description: Shortland, view from Irishtown over Karaka Creek to Karaka Road. Block 27 (up to the right), and over to Sandes Street and Edward Street. Lower right centre is Rolleston Street and Shortland Town in the distance. George Bulls Battery front right.

Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 536-Album-285-12-1

Take a Second look! Do you sometimes look at an old photograph of Thames, and mentally just say, "Oh yes, I have seen that before - nothing new to see!?"

Stop, have another look at the two photographs above from Auckland Libraries Sir George Grey Collection. While the angles are slightly different, you can see homes of varying construction material. There are tents (large and small), thatched roof huts, timber shops and houses, plus a mining battery in the lower view. Even a tramway track from up the Karaka / Una Hill.

Within a few months you can see how buildings were constructed to line Karaka Road.

If you need to get your bearings, here is a named photograph.

What fascinated me most when I had a second look, was the Thames' first pole houses!!! No time to dig out the site and get a level plot of land...just build and have the front half on piles resembling stilts! Also look for the houses and see if any changed over a couple of years in the early 1870s.

 

 The fenced sections on the south of Karaka Road make it easy to find the houses and what development has taken place. The two houses on the far right proudly standing on their 'stilt' piles. Did you notice that there is a front door? but no steps. Definitely have to use the back door until there is money for a front verandah and steps. Can you make a judgement on the weather in the photo far right? Check out the washing, its blowing and flapping on the long lines, no doubt supported by a good old ti-tree prop.

Lastly, to finish our second look, check out the businesses in Karaka Road. The two-storied one (with the rear entrance visible is almost definitely a hotel. Several up this road had accommodation on the second story, which was actually only tall enough to crawl in for most patrons.

Part of Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections 536-Album-285-12-1

Thames (NZ): The Wahine Disaster 10 April 1968

New Zealand 10 April 1968, the day the Wahine sunk on its way into the Port of Wellington.
On the day 51 lives were lost.

In Thames, a storm had raged overnight that bought flooding and road closures. The Topical Depression had caused 'severe gales.' Land around town, such as Rhodes Park was flooded. (photo below)

Rain fall in the area was measured at various locations over the last 24 hours: Upper Kauaeranga Valley 6.47 inches; Whangapoua 4.60 inches, and at the Tairua Forest 1.43 inches.

News came, that a Thames resident had been on the Wahine and was one of the survivors. 72 year old Thames widow, Mrs A M Dyer was on the inter-island ferry Wahine.

In a later edition of the Thames Star Newspaper, there is a full account from Mrs Dyer. Sadly my copy is not readable, so when we are released from lockdown, I will get a better copy from the Treasury, at Thames.

Thames (NZ): COVID-19 Update & Thames 75 Years Ago - 4 to 6 April 1945

Thames Covid-19 Introduction:
Thanks for the feedback on your 'project' progress. Several readers are taking the challenge of these lockdown weeks, and a few chapters have been written for upcoming books. Gardening and odd jobs are top of the list for others. Locally the walking numbers appear to have dropped recently, or maybe people are exploring different areas.

The local supermarket appears to be handling the numbers / restrictions, but it is near impossible to get a 'click & collect' time-slot at Pak'nSave or a delivery time for Countdown Paeroa.

Who would have believed the latest development, police are manning random roadblocks at Tararu, Kopu-Hikuai and on the Waihi-Whangamata Road. For once the message is GO HOME out-of-towners, our services can not cope with the holiday makers.

It has been confirmed that there are cases of Covid-19 in the wider district, but the Waikato District Healthboard refuse to (at this stage) to give statistics on specific area.

Our medical centres' reassure us that they are still open for 'other' illnesses, but initially all consultations are done via telephone, and medication is dispensed in monthly lots. Apart from that life continues at the Thames! While Thamesites try to keep up some level of normality to their day.

Dogs. My interesting observations on Thames dogs is that a) I didn't know there were so many, and b) Many couples have matching dogs!!!

Today has been a busy day, it was rubbish day - the anticipation of getting ones rubbish into the big recycling bin and out by 7.30am. Anyway, that has been and gone, and just to make doubly sure, yes I wore gloves to get the bin back into my 'compound' and have disinfected it just to make sure. Oh what times we live in.

Almost forgot to record the most pressing need, and preparation slip-up that I made. I didn't stock enough variety of food for my cat and he is not impressed with all I have on offer, consequently is on a hunger strike!! On this note people are amusing themselves making captions for animal pictures showing they are equally fed up with LOCKDOWN.

We await to hear what tomorrow brings.

PS. Late update. The sulking cat won! (photo right) So we had to brave leaving the 'compound'.

Wow, reality hit, as we hadn't ventured out to the mall, and only once prior to The Green Grocer. The long lines, waiting patiently, many with masks, even more with gloves, you realise just how serious the situation is and how seriously everyone is taking the restrictions. What a relief to get home, back to the bubble - no more excursions hopefully necessary!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thames in the Thames Star 4 to 6 April 1945:

Thames Star Newspaper April 4:

• The Silver Fern Fruit Shop was open for business, near the corner of Richmond Street, the proprietor was Mr Jack Collins.
• If you wanted a drink, there were seven hotels to choose from in the advertisements (there were none filed for the Lady Bowen or Park Hotel in Brown Street; and the Exchange Hotel or the Warwick Arms Hotel at the south end of Pollen Street. Those advertised were: The Royal (H W Tindale), Salutation (J Mahoney), Post Office Hotel (D Craigie), Junction Hotel, Twohill's Brian Boru Hotel, Cornwall Arms Hotel (J Alwinger) and the Kopu Station Hotel (Jack Smith). The Kopu Station Hotel had a catch-cry motto: "Where all good sports and Farmers foregather."
• It was going to be a busy day at Kopu on the 12th April as a Special Heifer Fair was being held with over 500 cattle already booked in. [The sale-yards were located on the north side of the road opposite the hotel.]
• Reports of good fishing just off Te Puru, a 40lb Kingfish had been caught plus snapper weighing about 12lbs.
• Thames High School 'forms' [the yearly grouping of classes], were all raising money to purchase something for the school. Such as books, pictures and other equipment, for which Principal Dorrington was most appreciative.
• On the previous GOOD FRIDAY, the Methodist Church held a sacred concert, which included Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique. Mr Sutcliffe played the cornet solo, Miss Helen Twentyman was the vocal soloist and all joined together to sing 'Abide with Me'.
• War news took up at least half a page in each edition.  Captain E J Wilton from Thames had been promoted to Major - son of Mr& Mrs E J Wilton of Moanataiari creek.

 

Thames Star 4 April 1945

 Thames Star Newspaper April 5:

• The Thames Hospital had converted the adjacent St George's Parish Hall into an isolation ward. The Hospital Board asked for calm, that there was no need to worry and that the present number of Scarlet Fever patients in the hospital were being ably managed. The hall could accommodate 30 patients - parts of New Zealand were experiencing a Scarlet Fever epidemic.
• Local pig hunters had reported good catches, including from the Mercury Bay area nine boars and three sows. The largest was 300lbs.
• The Thames Volunteer Fire Brigade held a run for the Dr Liggins' Cup.The winner was C Cameron, with A Fleming second.
• The Easter Bowling Pairs Tourney had been won by M Morrison and H Hayward of Thames.

 Thames Star Newspaper April 6:

• Church Services were advertised for St George's and St John's at Tararu; St James, Baptist Church, Church of Christ, Salvation Army and the Mission at the Oddfellow's Hall.
• The residents of Tararu had raised money for a memorial trophy in honour of Private Dallas Howe of Tararu who had been massacred by the Japanese on Tarawa Island. The cup was to be given to the Thames Sailing Club as Dallas had been a foundation member.
• Thamesites were reminded that when they travel on trains to care and respect the crockery!

• A sign the war was ending, Used Motor Trucks were to be sold on the 13th April 1945.

More to follow as the month proceeds - Kia Kaha from Thames.

Thames (NZ): 75 Years ago - 3 April 1945

No more false starts! No more excuses! Since we published the 'Gold Mine to Firing Line' in 2014, my plan was always to do something similar for World War Two in Thames. Who knows the timeframe, but I will now start, and as part of that I will share something of the life in Thames thanks to our faithful old Thames Star newspaper.

The newspaper itself was reduced in pages, just four, this had been a result of paper shortages earlier in the war years. Here are some snippets:

TORCH BATTERIES: There was a plentiful supply of batteries which were now made in New Zealand. No metal cased torches were available, only alternatives such as plastic models.

SEWING MACHINES: Only 600 were allowed to be imported into New Zealand annually, but retailers had trouble getting hold of those numbers.

PRESERVING JARS: New methods for preserving were being used in New Zealand, and as a result, local companies were making these 'new' jars.

DRESSMAKING PATTERNS: There was an overseas shortage, and the special paper unobtainable. The paper reported the good news that New Zealand would be making their own patterns using local paper.

SUPPLY OF BLANKETS: Good news, the supply of blankets to civilians was going to be possible in the near future. Meanwhile "Service requirements [were] a priority." Any returned serviceman making a request  was to have his order promptly filled.

  

The war meant ongoing shortages. Montague's lack of staff had led to limited appointments. While advertisements for products such as Lux Soap featured overseas 'stars'.

SPORTS:

A large number of columns were devoted to sports results. Perhaps swayed by the fact the previous weekend had been Easter - a time traditionally used for several major sporting events.

The Thames Bowling Club held  their annual Easter Tournament - 47 competing rinks at the start of play. [Covid-19 has caused the cancellation of this event for 2020]

The cricket teams in the region competed for the 1944-45 Court Cup - in the final match, Thames beat Hauraki. First innings details below.

In the previous edition, Thursday 29 March 1945, the results of the Thames High School running sports were given. The top event was the boys' one mile, which was won by D Campbell, with E Heberley finishing in second place.

WAR NEWS: 

Private V L Noakes of Thames, was finally reported safe in Odessa, having been a prisoner of war since 1942. (details below left)

The Hetherington name was well known in Thames, firstly because of the long established store and for the regard the Drs' by that name were held in the town. The paper reported that Temporary-Captain Owen Hetherington was honoured with an OBE. Another Thamesite who had spent years as a prisoner of war. (details below right)

On the same day that Hetherington's award was reported, there was news that the Military Cross had been conferred on Second-Lieutenant G W H R Purchas(e) of Thames. (details lower centre)

    

It is interesting to read the news at this time and try and imagine what the reality was like, what the shortages were like? What did rationing mean to your daily life? 

Who would have thought it, 75 years later we are faced with our own restrictions - not just 'blackout' but 'lockdown.' Food shortages, in many cases caused by greed.

Kia Kaha, stay strong and take inspiration from our parents and grandparents & the hardships they endured.

PS. Of anyone has photos of Thames during 1939-1945 please can you let me know.

Thames (NZ): Appreciating The Thames - the Covid-19 journey

Day Seven LOCKDOWN: 1 April 2020.

APPRECIATING THE THAMES

All this so called time and what do you do with it each day?

How will history remember this time in our town?

I realise now I should have kept a diary from the start, and will begin one on a separate page, while concentrating the main blog entries on topics for some lighter relief. Why? Just to hide from the reality - so this will be my switch off time.

Take the Challenge: Keep a diary from now on if you have not already started it, and record life in lockdown. I have put this challenge to a group I am part of an, and all going well we will convert our thoughts to print when / if the pandemic ends!

Whats happening at Thames? People have interpreted 'walking in your neighbourhood' as taking treks from one end of town to another. The cyclists cruise the streets. You see people walking past you have never seen in your life! Cars full of people drive on by, some people have regular visitors.  People refuse to stop going fishing, or still indulge in mingling with non-bubble members. On-line shopping has increased so much, that it is booked fully, while the older members of our community are left wondering how to keep up a supply of food. Pak'n Save Supermarket continues to have long lines, especially on benefit days. Yes and flour has proved to be the product that everyone wants, as is the case throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Yes, I will record for history, that so far there are many who have have a very flexible interpretation of STAY HOME, SAVE LIVES.

WHAT DO YOU APPRECIATE ABOUT THAMES:

Maybe this is a wake up call to stop and walk our lovely streets. I know for one I miss even the beach at Kuranui Bay - I cant walk there! In fact I don't leave the property for my walk.

There is one thing though, or rather a landmark that watches over me - the KARAKA HILL aka The Una. 

Have you ever done a pepeha?

It Starts With: Ko ____________ te māunga 

(The mountain that I affiliate to is _________________________)

For me having lived within a few blocks of the Una, and spent my childhood running up and down, collecting pine combs and blackberries - this is definitely 'my mountain'.

KARAKA HILL at PapersPast:

If you use this search term ("Karaka Hill") at Paperspast, there are 490 results.

The references principally relate to mining claims and their locations.

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, 22 JANUARY 1870

There was a report in 1870, that will be something many of you have seen - the Una / Karaka Hill on fire. 

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS,  29 JANUARY 1870

There are mentions of Karaka Hill as being the address in Birth and Death Notices. While many of these residences were no doubt in the area we today know has Karaka Road.

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS,  ISSUE 4093, 3 OCTOBER 1870

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, 5 JUNE 1871

By comparison, if you search 'Una Hill' there are 1577 search hits to explore.

CLOSING: What is YOUR Thames Mountain, that you feel most affiliated to - we have several to choose from Parawai to Tararu. Interestingly, for many old Thamesites, it is probably  Te Kohatu-whakairi-a-Ngatoroirangi aka Table Mountain - as you travel across the Plains it reminds you that you are nearly home!

A classic old view over Thames from The Una.

Kia Kaha - Stay Strong, Stay Safe Thamesites.