Thames (NZ): 1956 at the Thames

The Thames Library has a 'short story competition' for Heritage Week - inviting stories about early Thames.

 

Subject: Life in Early Thames. Three categories: 8-12yrs, 13-19yrs, and adult. Entry forms available at the Library from 28th January 2014. Entries close 7th March 2014 and winners announced during Festival. Prize in each category: $50.00 book voucher.
Click here for more information

Why not give it a go and tell a story about your ancestors at the Thames.

 

If we were to go back just 50 plus years...I would write of a time when you actually felt like you lived by the sea, a time when mangroves hadn't taken over the foreshore and the view...now that's what I call Thames!

Looking from School of Mines on corner of Cochrane Street to the Mary Street Intersect on the right
Part of the larger photo below taken March 1956
Source:  Whites Aviation Ltd :Photographs. Ref: WA-40768-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/30116932

 

 

Thames (NZ): Online Photographs

When doing your family or general research on anything related to Thames - you will want to add photographs to bring your stories alive, and allow you and the reader to learn about the Thames of old.

 

Many sources are available and have been previously covered at sites such as:

The Treasury, Auckland City Libraries, Alexander Turnbull Library, Auckland Museum Library, Matapihi, Digital NZ and Kete Hauraki Coromandel.

 

There is a new search engine  called the NZ Picture Show - that appears linked to Digital NZ that brings up amazing photo results from a range of sources - and super fast compared to previous options.

As a random example I entered THAMES BOATS and lots of photos of Thames wharf are quickly displayed. Also this little cartoon link from Papers Past:

WHEN THE THAMES VOLUNTEERS VISITED AUCKLAND.
Observer, Volume XXVI, Issue 24, 3 March 1906, Page 16

Entering THAMES MAYOR, found a treasure of the Mayor presenting medals to the Troopers on Coronation Day in 1902.

Auckland Weekly News 21 August 1902
The Mayor and Mayoress presenting returned troopers with war medals on Coronation day, Thames

For background on this event, you can read the preliminary planning that was involved by the Thames Borough and Thames County Councils on 13th May 1902.

 

The paper of the day is full of how the day was to be marked, for instance owners of shops and buildings were planning great displays. The hospital was having Chinese lanterns hanging from the gables, Chas Palmer was planning grand illuminations, Junction Hotel to be covered in flags, and other shops were being repainted. On Saturday 9th August 1902 there was an impressive light display in Thames NZ - and the paper has full details. On 21st August the parade shown in the photo above was held, by all reports a trifle disappointing due to a mix-up that led to a low number of cadets parading.

At Thames most of the business places and all the public buildings displayed bunting and in some instances the designs were striking and appropriate. At the local schools yesterday the flag was saluted and the High School Cadets paraded and carried out their part of the programme in a- complete manner.

There was to have: been a parade of Territorials and Senior Cadets today at noon, but through various causes the parade was very poorly attended. One officer and two members of the Territorials paraded at the drill hall and a handful of Senior Cadets attended at the Waio-karaka school, a few High School kindly assisting to swell the number. The officer commanding the company and Sergeant Major Tingey were present. Owing to the small attendance the ceremony was curtailed, three cheers being given for the King.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr H Lowe) attended and while regretting the small muster, awarded high praise to those lads who had assembled in honor of the Coronation of the King. To encourage the cadet movement and with the object of securing good attendance at parades and encouraging discipline he had decided to donate a prize.

Mr Lowe handed to the captain of the company a handsome gold medal which he said was to be presented to the cadet attending the most parades and showing the best discipline...

Background reading:
Edward VII
Details of the Coronation in England

Thames (NZ): Update for Mr Severn 1874

Previously I had included a mention of Mr Severn and his amazing astronomical observations based at Grahamstown, New Zealand. In 1874 he was aiming to watch and record the Transit of Venus.

Thanks to a tip-off from a fellow Thamesite, I chanced by an article and sketch of Mr Severn. We can but assume its authenticity, but will endeavour to find the article in its full source to seek verification. The factual data written on the page all appears genuine..so for now lets enjoy seeing a sketch of Mr Severn of the Thames Goldfields.

Source: The Graphic, March 20 1875 page 273

 



The accompanying paragraph reads:
Preparing for the Transit of Venus, December, 1874
Our illustration is taken from a photograph just received from Mr Henry A Severn, of Grahamstown, Thames, New Zealand. This gentleman, formerly in the Sydney Mint, has, like many other observers, been occupied for some time past in making elaborate preparations for observing the transit of Venus on December 9, 1874. Mr Severn's was the chief of the substations under Major Palmer. The telegraph wires shown in the picture were conveyed a distance of 300 miles to the substation and telescope - an instrument constructed by Mr Severn himself. The Governor, Sir James Fergusson, very kindly sent Mr Severn a fine chronometer, and he got two others all ticking in electric contact with Major Palmer's clock at Christchurch. Mr Severn's very complete and skilful arrangements were unfortunately defeated by cloudy weather occurring at the time of the transit. Our readers will probably find it easier to sympathise with his disappointment than to realise his feelings on seeing the labour and preparation of years thus rendered useless by circumstances far beyond his own control. Well might he exclaim, "L'homme propose - Dieu dispose."

Thames (NZ): The unknown men on the WWI Peace Memorial

Back to the plea...do you have a relative from Thames who died in World War One?
As part of The Treasury's (The Coromandel Heritage Trust) WW100 project a book is being prepared on the men who served from the Thames area.

There are still a few names on the memorial that haven't been 100% identified, so please can you take a moment to check the list that Kae has been researching.

• Is your relatives name is included?
• Can identify the unknown names: W ALLEY, L AUTRIDGE, F DANN, F DEMPSEY, W GOODWIN, Wm HENDERSON, J MCMILLAN, F STEWART, W TRAINOR.

If you can help with the above, please contact The Treasury webmaster

 

Any relative that has information that could be added to the biography that will appear in the book, please also contact the above address. They are always looking for letters, photos, family recollections related to World War One.

 

 

One of the men who is yet to identified, is W GOODWIN, they have his photo, but can to-date, not locate the correct W Goodwin. Check your family photos, can you help to identify this soldier?

Source: Thames Museum ROH photo-board

 

Thames (NZ): Thames Reunions

Following on from the previous post on centennial parades and reunions, below are beer bottle labels from two events. First the Thames Centenary 1873 - 1973. This was to celebrate the founding of the Borough of Thames (the combining of the towns of Grahamstown and Shortland). Although the celebrations were just six years after the big 1967 event, the town of 1973 still held major celebration events. How best to remember than in a bottle of beer! A fitting tribute to the town of over 100 hotels.

 The second label, was on the beer bottles available at the Thames High School centenary of 1980. Once again the celebrations featured a march through the town, as pupils proudly walked in their school decade group.

Thames (NZ): Heritage week 2014

Another year past, won't be long and the 150th celebrations for the town will be here in 2017.
For now we have the 2014 Thames Heritage Festival to look forward to:
Friday 14th March to Sunday 23rd March 2014

There are already lots of events registered:
 Music Hall, Heritage Dinners, Short Story competitions, Parades, Vintage car tours, Heritage Walks and Talks....and much more

You can see photos from past years, maybe  someone you know is in the photos....
Plus take a look at these earlier parades in Pollen Street Thames.

Above: The 1967 Centennial Parade near the corner of Pollen & Sealey Streets

Below: c1920s Parade at the Grahamstown end of Pollen Street

Thames (NZ): 100 years ago 31st December 1913

Wednesday 31st December 1913

100 Years ago:

•  Yesterday, the 30th December 1913, Frederick Bourdot married Sarah Green of Thames
• A year before, William Martin had died and his wife placed an In Memoriam notice in the newspaper
• Lost - a purse with a pound note had been lost by the Cornwall Arms Hotel. Reward offered
• A number of Thamesites had left on the steamer for Auckland, while others were heading to Te Aroha and onto Rotorua
• A mob of 4000 sheep were due in the town from Waihi in the New Year. They had come from Cape Runaway and were being cared for by six men and several dogs
• Excitement in the town as a large number were expecting to go to Pipiroa in the morning (New Years Day), to the annual picnic and sports day held by the Hauraki Plains Settlers Association
• If you needed a new suit or some good bike tyres for the holidays, large advertisements tempted the potential buyer to shop at businesses such as Connor & Glass in Pollen Street

Thames (NZ): Thames Scottish Battalion

A badge reportedly belonging to the Thames Scottish Battalion is available for sale at an online auction site. Thamesites loved the volunteers groups and there were many throughout the early years of the goldfields. Remembering many of these men were old soldiers, men who had fought around the world throughout Europe before heading to New Zealand. Some came to join the armies engaged in the Maori land wars, others just to search for a better life. Anyway, the chance to belong to an army group still appealed to many.

 

A description of the Battalion is included with the badge, quoted as being from a book by D Corbett:

 

When formed the Battalion proved popular in the town. In October 1878 the first parade inspection of the combined Scottish companies was held in the Academy of Music, the number of women spectators in attendance was also noted.

 

"In the Government Gazette of October 31st, just to hand, the following officers are gazetted to the Thames Scottish Battalion Captain William Fraser (New Zealand Militia) to be honorary Colonel; Major Thomas Leitch Murray (New Zealand Volunteers) to be Major; Edward Benjamin Cameron, to be sub lieutenant; Captain Samuel Charles Schofield (New Zealand Militia) to be Adjutant; William Carpenter to be Quartermaster; honorary Assistant Surgeon, James Kilgour, M.D., to be Surgeon; Francis O'Flaherty, M.D., to be honorary Assistant Surgeon; Reverend Samuel James Neill to be Chaplain. Date of commission in each case, the first of October, 1878." From: Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3040, 12 November 1878, Page 2

 

 Gazette notices appeared in the papers regarding the disbandment of the Battalion in June 1882.

 

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand Auckland Volume 2 has a section on the New Zealand Militia for further information and features a section on Captain Schofield, a former member of the Thames Scottish Battalion.

 

Thames (NZ): Sportclubs Xmas parties of past years

Do sports clubs still hold the annual Children's Xmas Party? Thames memories back to the 1960s and clubs such as the United Football Club. Xmas presents from Santa and sports days at Rohrlach's farm up the Kauaeranga. Crossing the ford to the large grass paddocks. Children's races, hammer the nail, tractor rides and of course lots of swimming. Finished with a good old lolly scramble.

 

Thames United Rugby Football Club (Inc) started 1940; clubrooms built in Jellicoe Crescent 1964. The building was destroyed by fire but subsequently rebuilt. Today it is used as a gym.

At the United Club was All Black Jack (J K) McLean, Who would later go to England and play Rugby League for Bradford Northern. Other All Blacks from Thames: Davie Stewart NZ Native Team 1888-1889, R (Dick) McGregor 1901-1904, H (Circus) Hayward 1908, A R (Mick) Lomas 1925-1926,  L S (Lew) Hook 1928-1929, and G W (Red) Delamore 1949.

Further information on Thames Rugby: Thames Rugby History

Background Reading:"Thames 1870-1970 100 Years of Rugby" By Young, F J

Thames Star 24 December 1898

 

Thames (NZ): Thames Library War Books & Collections

It never ceases to amaze me, the quality of books at the local Thames Library. They have an excellent selection of history resources for the genealogist and general researcher. Many of you will be curious about those people in your family tree who served in the different wars. At the Thames Library you will find many books that provide information.

Below is a new book that is a must read, as we near the beginning of the WW100 commemorations:

Title:  New Zealand and the First World War, 1914-1919

Author: Fenton, Damien, author.

ISBN: 9780143569756

This is a unique book, with multiple map, packets of information on each page that you can slide out and view. Postcards, posters, letters...the list goes on. A large book, that is easy to read - personalised by the experience that you have of unfolding each treasure. One feels privileged to unfold each item of memorabilia.

 

Remember while you are at The Thames Library website, click on the KETE Logo. Visit the Kete Hauraki Coromandel website. You will find lots of Thames photos, including those from the B Murch collection.

The photo above: Royal Marine Corp - Drums. Reunion Parade, October 17th, 1993 by B Murch

Just one of the many photos available for viewing online thanks to the contributors and The Thames Library Digitisation team.