Great progress can be seen from the photos taken today.
 |
| Looking west from Queen Street at the new Archives building next to The Treasury (The Coromandel Heritage Trust) 30 April 2013 |
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Thames (NZ): Archives progress update
Well this week brings real new look to the site and the reality that an archives building is not to far off.
Great progress can be seen from the photos taken today.
Great progress can be seen from the photos taken today.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Thames (NZ): The story of Ngarimu Bay
The original name of the bay was Ō-Tohi. At the end of WWII the European settlers of this new community were looking for a name acceptable to all. Lieutenant Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu of Ngāti Porou was “awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.” The residents got the approval of his parents to name the bay after their son to commemorate his bravery.
The Maori Television Channel had a programme on Ngārimu VC -- if you missed it, take the time to find about the man behind the name of our popular Thames Coast bay. Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu from ‘C’ Company, 28th Māori Battalion, was killed in action in North Africa and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross – this is his story.
The Treasury at Thames has an oral history recording by Mr Toss HAMMOND MBE, who tells the story of the naming of the bay..a snippet follows:
The Maori Television Channel had a programme on Ngārimu VC -- if you missed it, take the time to find about the man behind the name of our popular Thames Coast bay. Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngārimu from ‘C’ Company, 28th Māori Battalion, was killed in action in North Africa and was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross – this is his story.
 |
| Te Moananui-a-Kiwa Ngarimu, c1940 |
The Treasury at Thames has an oral history recording by Mr Toss HAMMOND MBE, who tells the story of the naming of the bay..a snippet follows:
..."So one day Mrs Young, the wife of Mr John Young who was on the committee, she came to me and said “I have an idea about naming that domain. What about calling the thing Ngarimu Domain? There’s that young fellow Ngarimu Te Moana-Nui-A-Kiwa that’s just been awarded the first Victoria Cross that’s been awarded to a Maori. What about naming it after him?”
Mr Hammond goes on to explain the process that was involved and the contact with the relatives. The rest is history - now we know the place as Ngarimu Bay, but let us not forget the man and the story behind the naming of the bay.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Thames (NZ): Remembering ANZAC DAY
Since 1916, Thames like other towns all over New Zealand, has stopped to remember...
The first public ANZAC Commemoration Service was held in the Central Hall in Pollen Street, at 7pm on the 25th of April 1916. The Regimental Band, Territorials and Cadets meeting at 6.30pm at the Drill Hall in Mackay street; before proceeding to the Central Hall service. The evening included prayers, speeches and hymns – along with the National Anthem. The Last Post was played by Bandsmen Dash and Robinson; while Gunner Wood, who was shortly leaving for the front, played the organ.
(From: Thames Firsts by A Barker)
Over the years, hundreds of men (and women) have gone to war and as the memorials record - there were a number who did not return. May each and all be remembered tomorrow, Thursday 25th April 2013.
The first public ANZAC Commemoration Service was held in the Central Hall in Pollen Street, at 7pm on the 25th of April 1916. The Regimental Band, Territorials and Cadets meeting at 6.30pm at the Drill Hall in Mackay street; before proceeding to the Central Hall service. The evening included prayers, speeches and hymns – along with the National Anthem. The Last Post was played by Bandsmen Dash and Robinson; while Gunner Wood, who was shortly leaving for the front, played the organ.
(From: Thames Firsts by A Barker)
Over the years, hundreds of men (and women) have gone to war and as the memorials record - there were a number who did not return. May each and all be remembered tomorrow, Thursday 25th April 2013.
 |
| 10th January 1945 |
 |
| 4th February 1945 |
 |
| 8th March 1945 |
 |
| 26th February 1945 |
 |
| Signalman D O Barker from Thames Recorded events in his war diary, with pen sketches - some examples above  |
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Thames (NZ): Ludwig Family
Charles Ludwig came to New Zealand from Danzig, Germany. Charles or Karl was an early settler of Thames, who worked as an amalgamator. He was naturalised in 1887:
Oath of Allegiance: "I Charles Ludwig do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Her Heirs and Successors, according to law. So help me God. (signed) Charles Ludwig."
Sworn at Thames this twenty sixth day of August 1887
Recent contact with a fellow researcher, has meant I have re looked at the information I have on the Ludwig family. It serves as a reminder to all..go back to your family trees and recheck: Newspapers at Paperspast (in particular Thames Advertiser/Star and Auckland Star), family trees at ancestry, The Treasury Database, Electoral Rolls and Street Directories..there is new information available all the time as sources are updated and files indexed.
Charles married Mary GILLARD on 4 July 1965 at Onehunga. They had nine children and lived at Tapu and Thames. Charles Ludwig was buried at Tararu Cemetery - no headstone remains today. He was one of three deaths reported in the Thames Star 5/12/1906 - interesting that all requested that there was to be NO MOURNING
Oath of Allegiance: "I Charles Ludwig do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Her Heirs and Successors, according to law. So help me God. (signed) Charles Ludwig."
Sworn at Thames this twenty sixth day of August 1887
Recent contact with a fellow researcher, has meant I have re looked at the information I have on the Ludwig family. It serves as a reminder to all..go back to your family trees and recheck: Newspapers at Paperspast (in particular Thames Advertiser/Star and Auckland Star), family trees at ancestry, The Treasury Database, Electoral Rolls and Street Directories..there is new information available all the time as sources are updated and files indexed.
Charles married Mary GILLARD on 4 July 1965 at Onehunga. They had nine children and lived at Tapu and Thames. Charles Ludwig was buried at Tararu Cemetery - no headstone remains today. He was one of three deaths reported in the Thames Star 5/12/1906 - interesting that all requested that there was to be NO MOURNING
P.S. Would love to hear from anyone with a photo of Charles Ludwig
A Great-grandson of Charles Ludwig was Killed in Action in WWII
ALFRED STANFORD LUDWIG
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Thames (NZ): Heritage Images - Fish & Tomatos
As the long hot summer has drawn to an end, I wonder how many fish have been caught in the Firth of Thames.
Was it a good year for fishing?
Well, in 1905 there was no shortage of fish, as the photo below shows a catch of 1500 dozen fish were being processed at Thames! (Taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 26 October 1905 p012)
Keep checking back to the Auckland Libraries Heritage Image website, you will be amazed at the number of new images that keep appearing. They remind us of things long gone...or refresh faded memories.
How many knew of the major market gardens that were at the Thames of old. Perhaps the photo below is of the gardens south of the Kauaeranga River crossing - while others existed on Shortland flat, up on the hills of Mt Pleasant, or out at Parawai. The image below was taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 25 February 1909 p015 - Description: Tomato growing in New Zealand: a fine orchard plantation of 8000 plants in full bearing at the Thames, Auckland.
Was it a good year for fishing?
Well, in 1905 there was no shortage of fish, as the photo below shows a catch of 1500 dozen fish were being processed at Thames! (Taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 26 October 1905 p012)
 |
| ' Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19051026-12-4 ' |
How many knew of the major market gardens that were at the Thames of old. Perhaps the photo below is of the gardens south of the Kauaeranga River crossing - while others existed on Shortland flat, up on the hills of Mt Pleasant, or out at Parawai. The image below was taken from the supplement to the Auckland Weekly News 25 February 1909 p015 - Description: Tomato growing in New Zealand: a fine orchard plantation of 8000 plants in full bearing at the Thames, Auckland.
 |
| 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19090225-15-5 |
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Thames (NZ): Soldiers football team post WWI
Sport played an important role in the early history of Thames, during times of hardship giving a place to relax and mix with others - for both the players and their supporters. The returned soldiers from WWI, also found it a way to continue their comradeship in sports such as football/rugby.
While at war in Europe, there are reports of teams playing at venues in France and England. Family report rugby games played by the men of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company, while they were serving overseas.
When the World War One soldiers returned home to Thames, they started playing in the local rugby competition. In the 1920s the team was called the Returned Soldiers Football team. Some of the players of the day were: M Dare, T Burrett, G Buchan, McNiece, H Jamieson, Chalton, L Smith, Houghton, G Crawford, Lomas, Cooke, Strange, J Stewart, J Finnerty, L Sutcliffe, Alexander, O'Carroll, C Burt, L Stewart, T Crawford, F Marson, P Rolton and J O'Sullivan. (Thames Star 30/4/1920)
In 1921, the SOLDIERS' FOOTBALL Club won the Thames Rugby Union Knock-outs Competition Cup. The team photo below names the following men and their supporters: L Towers, A Barker, W Ryan, W Lomas, A Dufty, J McLean, A Shepherd, L Pedrotti, L Stewart, J Stewart, A Lomas, Master Houghton, L J Sutcliffe, H Murray, J Wells, L Houghton, E Rickett, A Tate and H Royal (Absent)
While at war in Europe, there are reports of teams playing at venues in France and England. Family report rugby games played by the men of the New Zealand Tunnelling Company, while they were serving overseas.
 |
| Thames Star 5/2/1918 |
In 1921, the SOLDIERS' FOOTBALL Club won the Thames Rugby Union Knock-outs Competition Cup. The team photo below names the following men and their supporters: L Towers, A Barker, W Ryan, W Lomas, A Dufty, J McLean, A Shepherd, L Pedrotti, L Stewart, J Stewart, A Lomas, Master Houghton, L J Sutcliffe, H Murray, J Wells, L Houghton, E Rickett, A Tate and H Royal (Absent)
Friday, March 29, 2013
Thames (NZ): Archive progress at The Treasury
Update for 29 March 2013 - there are lines of piles already in the ground and another line in above the ground. I'll let the photos speak for themselves - hope to have some more next week.
 |
| Top Photo: Looking south from The Treasury Bottom Photo: Looking west, The Treasury building on the right |
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Thames (NZ): 1964 Parking Problems
Can you remember when there was parallel parking on both sides of Pollen Street?
Many people were grateful the day the eastern side was changed to angle parking...maybe people today have just become better at parking....It didn't seem such an issue in those slower, quieter days.
The reporter noted: "Vehicles are supposed to be enclosed in the space provided, not half in and half out as are the vehicles pictured."
Ten years ealier the angle parking we know today was coping well with traffic demands.
Many people were grateful the day the eastern side was changed to angle parking...maybe people today have just become better at parking....It didn't seem such an issue in those slower, quieter days.
The reporter noted: "Vehicles are supposed to be enclosed in the space provided, not half in and half out as are the vehicles pictured."
 |
| Thames Star 7 December 1964 Source copy: Thames Library |
 |
| Photo c1950: Pollen Street, looking north to Mary Street intersect and Court's Corner on the right |
Monday, March 25, 2013
Thames (NZ): The Treasury Archive Building update
Another major step has been taken today, with the driving of the piles for the new archive building at Queen Street, Thames. The Coromandel Heritage Trust members and supporters will be delighted to see the building now full steam ahead!!! It has been a dream for some time, now the following weeks will quickly see the construction and completion of the building that meets all the latest archive requirements.
A vote of thanks to all who have been involved with this vision - to the stage today where it is becoming a reality!
A vote of thanks to all who have been involved with this vision - to the stage today where it is becoming a reality!
 |
| Above: Looking south from the present Treasury building towards the site of the new archive Below: Architect's view of the finished building attached to The Treasury  |
Friday, March 15, 2013
Thames (NZ): Miners & the New Zealand Tunnelling Co WWI
For those of you who didn't manage to hear the presentation at The Treasury today on the New Zealand Tunnelling Company - you missed a very informative presentation.
Why is this of interest to THAMES? Many of the men that joined this company were experienced miners, many having come from Thames, or their fathers/other relatives had been on the goldfields from the time they opened. Many of us have generations of miners in the family, some of these men then went to war and were involved with tunnelling projects in World War One.
For more information go to the dedicated New Zealand Tunnelling Company website. Waihi men in particular played a major part in this company and a memorial is planned to remember their efforts.
If you have any family information on men from Thames that were in this company, please can you make contact - as I try and find out more about these Thamesites.
A list of the names of men found with a connection to the wider Thames area can be found here.
Why is this of interest to THAMES? Many of the men that joined this company were experienced miners, many having come from Thames, or their fathers/other relatives had been on the goldfields from the time they opened. Many of us have generations of miners in the family, some of these men then went to war and were involved with tunnelling projects in World War One.
For more information go to the dedicated New Zealand Tunnelling Company website. Waihi men in particular played a major part in this company and a memorial is planned to remember their efforts.
If you have any family information on men from Thames that were in this company, please can you make contact - as I try and find out more about these Thamesites.
A list of the names of men found with a connection to the wider Thames area can be found here.
 |
| WAIHI'S QUOTA OF THE NEW ZEALAND TUNNELLING CORPS LEAVING THE MINING TOWN LAST WEEK TO GO INTO CAMP AT AUCKLAND: THE CROWD FAREWELLING THE MEN AT THE WAIHI RAILWAY STATION. Auckland Region (N.Z.) Source: ' Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19151014-50-5 ' |
 |
| SOME OF THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW ZEALAND ENGINEER TUNNELLING COMPANY NEAR THE FIRING LINE IN FRANCE. Auckland Region (N.Z.) Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19170111-41-2 If you have any information in general or on any soldiers from the New Zealand Tunnelling Company, contact the webmaster at the website mentioned above. |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)