Thames (NZ): Transportation - Getting around the Thames pre 1867

Description: View of the harbour and area from Mechanics Bay
to Smales Point. Printed by E Clark and Company (London). Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-623

Introduction:

The following blog, highlights the modes of transport around the River Thames pre 1867. The names of key ships are noted, as they were the prime means of 'getting around' for the settlers and visitors to the shores. The principal destination for settlers was back and forth to Auckland

Tangata Whenua travelled by foot and waka. They also played a vital role guiding the settlers to different districts over tracks they had identified. It was not long before surveyors were employed as the country was colonised, and land ownership became a priority for the new arrivals.

VISITORS & SETTLERS pre 1840

In Caroline Phillips' Waihou Journeys, the archaeology of 400 years of Maori settlements on the lower Waihou River is explored in depth.  It includes an interesting table (page 81) that summarises the European visitors and residents 1769 to 1850. Visitors famous and not so famous who came to the settlements that were scattered along the river. Captain Cook via the Endeavour in 1769; the Fancy 1794, the Hunter 1798 and 1799, the El Plumier and Royal Admiral in 1801 and Samuel Marsden on the Coromandel in 1820. The names of traders, settlers and others are given along with the purpose of their visit and the length of stay.

This 1848 sketch shows a kāinga (village) at Ōpita, Thames. Historically a kāinga would comprise a number of whānau groups. https://teara.govt.nz/en/artwork/30136/kainga

When the Admiral visited in 1801 they spent eight weeks in the Firth of Thames - during this time James Wilson produced a chart of the area. This and other early sketch charts / maps, were the forerunner to more detailed survey maps, that marked tracks and landmarks and in turn greatly aided movement around the district.

Part of Wilson's 1801 Chart of the River Thames - full copy details:
Ref: MapColl-832.15aj/1801/Acc.538. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22783019

TRAVEL 1840 to 1867

A variety of reports and advertisements in the newspapers provide an insight into the methods of transport and the ease of getting around the greater Thames area.

Boats were sailing around New Zealand with passengers and cargo pre 1850. For instance in November 1849, Mr Nicholas went from the River Thames to Auckland aboard the Alexander. A few of the other early commercial ships mentioned were: the Bon Accord, Charles, Forager, Mary and Piako Lass.

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS,  21 APRIL 1857

1850s: Land travel was possible over a limited number of 'tracks' but still required forcing through thick bush at times, and was best done with locals as guides. The Plains and River Thames was crossed on a trek from Auckland to Tauranga.

1854: the Gulf of Thames was described as being a commercial world in miniature. On a good day accessible by sea from Auckland by canoe or open boat. The rivers 'The Thames' and 'The Piako' "navigable for barges or steamers for a distance 50 miles at least." NEW ZEALANDER, 27 SEPTEMBER 1854

Local Iwi travelled around the country as required, in 1863 more than 300 Thames Maori were reported to have travelled to Wairoa, during the unsettled years of the 'Land Wars.' By foot and / or by waka, distance was not a problem. During the Land Wars, soldiers also travelled by boat around the Firth of Thames.

So far horses have not been mentioned, but they were around the greater Thames Valley, particularly at the large estates that were owned by men such as Mr McCaskill  (he had settled at Hikutaia in 1839).

   

Mr MCCASKILL's Estate was being sold with one horse.

DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS, VOLUME XI, ISSUE 756, 26 SEPTEMBER 1854

To conclude, early transport involved walking, use of waka / canoes and private boats; and an increasing numbers of commercial boats. Horses were mainly used on farms, and increasingly in the sport of racing!

Coming next: Transport to / on the Goldfield post 1867.

Background Reading:

• Anne Stewart Ball has researched Coastal Shipping Tairua 1840 - December 1865
• Te Ara - Hauraki - Coromandel 1769 to 1840
• Downie, James, 1819-1822: A sketch of the River Thames in New Zealand; showing the coast explored in HMS Coromandel by J Downie [copy of ms map]. [1820]. Ref: MapColl-832.15aj/[1820]/Acc.1159. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23076823

Description: A drawing looking south across the Auckland Harbour showing the race of the Maori war canoes during the Auckland Anniversary Regatta of January 1862 with the flagships H M S Miranda left and the H M S Fawn right of centre, taken from 'Views in the Province of Auckland New Zealand' by F R Stack

                  Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 863-RB586

Thames (NZ): Statue of Sir Keith Park

Exciting news - Thames is to get a statue of Sir Keith Park. While the nearby aerodrome is named in Sir Keith's honour, to have such a prominent reminder of this famous soldier is amazing.

The unveiling of the statue is to take place 11am 27 April 2019 (full details below).

Background: The following article appeared in the book "From Gold Mine to Firing Line."

WWI: Thames’ Special Soldier 

There are many men and women from the wider Thames area who deserve a special mention for the services they rendered during World War One. The names of some will be found in the awards section, indicating they received official recognition. Many more will have gone unrecorded and their deeds never officially acknowledged. There is however one soldier who first made a mark in World War One and subsequently went onto to serve at the highest level in World War Two. His name was Keith Rodney Park, Serial Number 2/1254.

   On 15 June 1892, at Thames, Keith Rodney Park was born. He was the son of Frances and James Park. James Park was from Scotland and had attended the Royal School of Mines in London. In New Zealand he married Frances Olive Rogers in 1880, they had seven daughters and three sons. In 1889, James Park was appointed director of the Thames School of Mines and was responsible for many innovations and developments at the school.

   The Park family lived out at Totara just south of Thames, locals recalled in 1946 that the house was a two-storied building on the Thames side of the cemetery – looking over the lower Kauaeranga Valley. The house was known as the Park house and later occupied by the Northcroft family.

   More details on the young Keith Park’s time at Thames can be found in the school records of his siblings. They attended various schools in the town including: Kauaeranga Boys and Girls, Parawai, Thames High and Tararu Schools. From 1889 to 1900 the family’s address varied from: Mt Pleasant, Moanataiari Battery, Queen St, Tararu and Totara. This was not uncommon in the lives of many Thamesites who travelled around the township and the schools at somewhat regular intervals.

   In early 1899 [1], Keith’s father James worked for the Moanataiari Goldmining Company and the family address was care of the Moanataiari Battery. Several of the Park children started school at the nearby Tararu School, just north of the Thames township. One of these children was Keith Rodney Park. On 10 April 1899, he was enrolled at Tararu School, register number 1260. Guardian was Jas Park, address Moanataiari Battery. His previous school was given as ‘Private School’ – no details given as to where this was located. Ironically the birthdate given is incorrect, but this was not an uncommon event in early school registers. Although later reports state that Park was six years old when he left Thames, these school records show that he was six years old when he started at Tararu School, where he stayed until leaving on 17 July 1900 aged eight years of age. Leaving destination was given as Nelson. His father James didn’t officially leave Thames until March 1901 when he was appointed Professor of Mining at the University of Otago School of Mines in 1901.[i]

   The last record for the Park family at the Thames, is in the Thames Electoral roll of 1900. Frances and James Park’s residence was given as Tararu Foreshore, Thames.

   Keith Park received his later education at King’s College in Auckland and the Otago Boys’ High school in Dunedin. Like many young boys he served in the cadets and then was a territorial soldier in the Army. In 1911 he worked at sea as a purser. At the start of the war he enlisted and commenced duty 14 December 1914. Park’s enlistment address was 77 Saint David Street in Dunedin and his father was named as next-of-kin. Serial Number 2/1254, he was a member of the Field Artillery, promoted to Corporal on 1 February 1915 and he embarked from New Zealand on 14 February 1915 from Wellington. Park was aboard Transport ship No 17, the HMNZT Maunganui, which arrived at Suez 26 March 1915.

   Little information is contained in the New Zealand war file, the next entry states that 2nd Lieutenant Park was transferred to the Royal Field Artillery on 3 September 1915. He was at this stage discharged from the New Zealand Army – a total service of 264 days.

   What happened next is featured in a multitude of sources and summarised on the Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph database.[ii] During WWI he served with the British Army, Royal Artillery 1915-January 1916; Royal Flying Corps 1916; 48 Squadron July 1917,1918.

“At the outbreak of the First World War he became a gunner in the New Zealand Artillery. Park's commission was granted in Gallipoli in August 1915 for services in the field and was transferred to the 29th Division. He stayed in Gallipoli until the evacuation and, as Lieutenant, went to the Western Front. He was wounded at the Somme and relegated to home service as an Artillery Officer Instructor at Woolwich.

He applied to the Royal Flying Corps and was accepted in December 1916, completed training and became an instructor. In July 1917 he joined 48 Squadron to fly Bristol Fighters. He became flight commander in September 1917, receiving the Military Cross and Bar. He also received a French Croix de Guerre.” Auckland War Memorial Cenotaph

   After the war, Major Keith Park received his awards and decorations from the King at Buckingham Palace in May 1920. He had been awarded the Military Cross, Military Cross and Bar, Distinguished Flying Cross and the French Croix de Guerre,[iii]

   What happened next is beyond the scope of this book, but needless to say, the ‘boy from Thames’ went on to be remembered forever for the part he played in World War Two and key events such as the Battle of Britain.

After WWII, the then Sir Keith Park returned to Thames for the first time in nearly 40 years. Sir Keith and Lady Park were treated like royalty in the town. They were driven around to places that he would have known as a child – visiting homes in the Moanataiari, Sandes Street and Totara where he lived. He was then given a civic luncheon at the Hotel Imperial and in the afternoon addressed the pupils at Thames High School. During the information speech he mentioned Churchill, Eisenhower and Montgomery – who had all been great scholars. “Speaking of Mr Churchill, whom he had known personally, Sir Keith described him as a ‘ball of fire.’”    Sir Keith had these comments to make about the town. “It is a great honour to come back to receive a welcome like this from Thames.”  He remarked the town had changed little. “My recollections of the town are that it was full of bustle and noise…It seemed very busy and prosperous.” Remarking that this was 46 years ago during the gold period.[iv]

   Sir Keith Park died in Auckland on 6 February 1975. He is remembered at the Thames airfield which in 2010 was renamed the ‘Sir Keith Park Memorial Thames Airfield’. This was at the same time as the unveiling of Sir Keith Park’s statue in London to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain. A Thames boy who left his mark on history.

Endnotes:
[1] In 1896 James Park had been employed by the Anglo-Continental Goldmining Syndicate.
[i] http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3p8/park-james & Thames Star, 4 March 1901, pg 2.
[ii] http://muse.aucklandmuseum.com/databases/Cenotaph/18405.detail?
[iii] Otago Daily Times, Issue 17988, 15 July 1920, page 7.
[iv] Thames Star 5-19 June 1946, at The Thames Library

Thames (NZ): Memories of Hospital Patient meals - from trolley to trayline 1982

When the Thames Hospital 150 Commemorations were held in November 2018, a common memory for many was 'dishing up' the patients meals. The great stainless steel trolleys that the hospital orderly delivered around the wards. Chaos would reign if they were early or late! Ready or not the patients' needed serving.

Trays preset for the appropriate meal, plates warming, the ritual would begin. Either dished up in the main kitchen or the more adventurous would push the great beast around the ward - many a plate broken along the way. The Ward Sister would preside over the midday meal, assisted by another who got to dish up the vegies and / or desserts.

Mr Balfour Campbell (left) and his son, retiring
Chief Executive Doug Campbell (right)

Many were horrified the day this system changed to pre-prepared trays, where patients completed their menu choices in advance. The True Tales of Thames Hospital has many a related tale about meals at Thames Hospital as well as articles by the late Doug Campbell who was Chief Executive at the time of the change 1981-82.

When the meal delivery system changed, the impact was felt in many areas - physical changes and duties in the kitchen; wardsmaids and nursing staffs duties also changed. Compartments of food in a big tray, to be dished out and collected, with no washing of utensils/plates in the ward.

The newspaper featured a major article on the change which thankfully was discovered in the late Doug Campbell's vast collection of hospital memorabilia. On the right is a photo of Doug when the change took place, and fittingly, with his father Mr Balfour Campbell who was a patient at the time in Thames Hospital.

 

ABOVE: Kitchen staff busy on the trayline, preparing the food portions, before loading them into the tray and to the large trolleys for delivery to the wards.

 BELOW: Final menu checks and additions, the the food trays were ready for delivery.

  

ABOVE: Charge Nurse Day checks the meal before it is taken to the patient by Student Nurse Koopen. Right: The Hospital's chef checks a patient's meal at the bedside.

Was the change popular? Memory has it that there were teething problems. Things to do with menu selection, temperature of the meal and managing the big tray. Some liked it from the start, others not. It was a loss of one of those special touches, where you as a nurse could give the patient the amount and what they liked, and yes seconds for those that wanted more! Plus no more 'sneaking' into the kitchen to see what leftovers remained!!!

An unexpected loss, was patient's sadness at losing their traycovers, which used to be placed on the old wooden trays. Many a patient took these home as a souvenir. A sample below. IT featured the hospitals run by the Thames Hospital Board: District Homes, Coromandel Hospital, Mercury Bay Hospital, Waihi Hospital, Paeroa Hospital and the base hospital at Thames. When the 150th Commemoration Dinner was held, the traycover featured on the place-mat, so got to be showcased one last time!

Thames Hospital Board Tray Cover used pre 1982.

Thames (NZ): Heritage Festival 2019 - Transportation Theme

The Thames Heritage Festival 2019 -  is advertised as running from Friday 15th March to Sunday 17th March 2019, but if you check the website new programmes are being added including for the week leading up to the official heritage weekend.

To follow on from the theme of Transportation on the goldfield the blog will explore travel in the broadest sense, then hopefully tie it back to a new page that will summarise the articles in the series.

TRANSPORTATION at The Thames

Key Points we will be looking at:

• Local iwi (who settled that land hundreds of years ago) travelled by waka and by foot.
• Visits by Captain Cook and other early explorers / missionaries
• The Goldfield invasion and the transport changes they brought
• Industrial transportation 
• Infrastructure - wharves, rails and roads
• Steam to Diesel - the trains should not be forgotten
• Transport for early Thamesite commuters - shipping and horses
• Bikes, cars and buses - key events and businesses

View of Thames. ca 1870. Ref: C-030-002. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22470378

BELOW: Mary Street (Queen to Pollen Street) 1900s to 2019.

While the little girl roamed freely along the streets of Thames c1910, the 'traffic' poses no hazards. While the lowest photo shows that even Thames now has a double-decker bus that graces the old goldfield town on a daily basis! Who would have ever guessed. 

 

HOW DID YOUR ANCESTORS COME TO THE THAMES?

Maybe you can say they came in the Great Fleet c1350AD or more specifically in the Tainui waka that visited Tainui Cove just north of Thames.

Amongst my families who settled on the Thames Goldfield in the opening years, the two that had been in the country the oldest were mother and daughter Susan Timmins (formerly Moran nee McDougal) and Barbarba Cornes (nee Moran) who arrived aboard the Minerva at the end of 1847. This was part of the Fencible scheme. Susan came to the Moanataiari, widowed and destitute when the field opened; while Barbara came with her family and mine manager Clement Cornes.

Ships carried the majority of my early Thamesites to the town. Later in the early 1900s my Grandparents (paternal) travelled from Waihi on a stage coach to settle in the town.

When and how did your Thamesites arrive in the town? Need help answering this question of solving a road block regarding your ancestor's arrival at the Thames - email for suggestions

Showing a coach and horses entering the Main Street at Waihi.

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 7-A8969

Further Research Tips:

Shipping / Passenger lists - PapersPast (lots of lists for earlier years), Archives NZ suggested sites which includes Family Search.

Thames (NZ): The historic Kopu (Hauraki) Bridge lives on

A very dedicated group have been working away for several years - to save the old Kopu Bridge. While it was not a universal choice for Thamesites, you have to give it to the group for getting on with the process. They are now at the stage where they will be beginning the repair and restoration work necessary to make the bridge safe and open! Volunteers needed.

On the Facebook page for "Save the Kopu Bridge'  - there is news of a special walk to be held during Heritage weekend.

Register your interest, for the event labelled 'Pre-dinner Prominade on Historic Kopu Bridge' Saturday 16 March 2019 5pm to 7pm.

Past Blog articles:
Thames (NZ): Ureia - the Taniwha

Thames (NZ): Kopu Bridge on YouTube

Kopu Bridge (new)

Want to be involved with the restoration of the Bridge?

Contact the Historic Kopu Bridge Society.

Thames (NZ): John William Hall Arboretum & Memorial Seat

While the heat descends on the town and country, a walk through the bush may be a pleasant activity. On our backdoor is the world renown arboretum - established by John William Hall, a chemist on the Thames Goldfield from late 1867.

Drive up Mount Sea Road to the top car park and you will see the two entrances to the arboretum.

There is a seat to stop and rest on (before or after), which has some glimpses of the sea through the trees below.

ABOVE: The rest area at the carpark at the top of Mount Sea Road. The track top right leads up the hill to the top of the arboretum and a lookout area. There is a track beyond, that is not complete and not recommended at this stage. You walk back down the track to the carpark area.

BELOW: Left: The seat has a memorial plaque - "In Loving Memory of RON HALL 1938 - 2017 Forever in our hearts" Right: View down to the lower track that does a circuit from Currie Street to Brunton Crescent Entrance and back up to Martin Street. There is a link to Korokoro Crescent entrance.

  

 

Enjoy the bush walks around Thames!

Further information:

The Thames-Coromandel District Council has details of the John William Hall Arboretum, including a downloadable pdf document.

Thames (NZ): Old Friends and School site

1. Many people were devastated when the 'Old Friends' site was removed from the Trademe Group. A substitute for this is the Facebook site "Old Friends Aotearoa New Zealand Schools'.

You can ask questions, connect with other old school mates, browse and load photographs. Great for your own and genealogical research. Personally, I find it impossible to search for Thames School photos, but I am pointing out the site incase you can master searching through nearly 2000 albums.

2. There is a National Library project to save the information that was on the 'Old Friends' site.

See the progress of the project as at January 2019

To find Thames schools, click on Waikato on right hand side of map of North Island.

The next step is temperamental for now. CLICK on the yellow School label, Then click on T and scroll through till you get to Thames schools.

NB> For the following stage you will find it easier to always select open in a new window, otherwise you can end up going back to square one each time!!!

OLD FRIENDS for:
Parawai Playcentre - members and photos.

Thames South School - members, and photos. 

Thames Parawai School - members, and photos.

Thames North School - members and photos.

Thames Kindergarten - members and photos.

Thames Convent School - members and photos.

Thames Central School - members and photos.

Thames High School - members and photos.

EXAMPLES BELOW: (not sure if the links will all work?? It doesn't seem that at present you can enlarge the photos???

Home > Waikato > Schools > Thames Central Thames Central   Members (192)  |  Photos (28)  |  Lost & found (44)  |  Notices (8)  |  Reunions << Back Thames Central school (1936) Uploaded by Philip Quayle If you are in this photo then you can link your name to your profile Row 5  gibson dunlop  doug carruthers  morris preece  merv rhodes  jack dovell  colin camerom  brian McClloyh  rex lomas  selwyn robinson  desmond dickinson  Row 4  shirley wood  winnie nicol  phillip goldworthy  phyllis moody  kath nicol  pat nightingale  eva mathews  margaret douglas  marie royal  ida she cheang  Row 3  dorothy doven  ann thorn  nan nicol  john twentymen  audrey carruthers  nola roberts  dot johnson  flo jennings  pam kennedy  Row 2  owen sutcliffe  reg Mccarthy  les brown  colin hindman  earl ockley  philip quayle  barry jensen  daug sheppard  Row 1  ?  reg fronice  ken thorn  ?  noel spurdle  allan sutcliffe  lloyd gooder

This one for Thames South 1934 is a larger photo.

Parawai School Foundation Year 1967

Give it a go and see if you can find some old school photos - relevant to your schooling and your ancestors / family from Thames. Good hunting :)

Thames (NZ): 150th Commemorative Sculpture Update - Te Tau Kōtare

On 12 March 2018, the statue to commemorate the Thames' 150, was placed on a site just south of the Kauaeranga Bridge, on the west side of the Ngati Maru Highway, just past Rhodes Park (and the WWI Commemorative Forest). (Full story on previous blog) 

A plaque has now been placed adjacent to the footpath that explains the details and meaning of the sculpture. (photo left)

The sculpture is called Te Tau Kōtare - The Sentinel.

The inscription reads: "Created in 2018 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Thames goldfields, this sculpture combines contrasting motifs: past and present, male and female, exotic and native, industrial and natural. But it tells one overarching story - of people coming together and making our land what it is today." (continued below)

PLAQUE for Te Tau Kōtare - The Sentinel

Located south-west of the Kauaeranga Bridge.

Transcription of plaque continued from above:

"Exotic and native timbers represent two cultures and reflect the region's logging history.

The crossed taiaha and pick reflect the mana (prestige) of Ngāti Maru who made local land available for infrastructure and goldfields.

The bounty of land and sea are both showcased in the sculpture's base, carved from local basalt in the shape of a black mussel.

The Pinnacles of the Coromandel mountain range.

Metal tools used by the industrious pioneers, men and women who helped shape Thames.

The kowhaiwhai pattern represents the spiritual (black) and earthly (red) existence of the people."

See plaque above for the 'pointers' to the sculpture diagram to aid identification

Thames (NZ): Photographic project at Totara Cemetery - the missing headstones?

There are a group of researchers / genealogy helpers who take photographs of headstones at our local cemeteries. These are then posted on sites such as Find A Grave that I have previously mentioned and linked. See Thames Cemetery Information Page.

Often descendants / relatives are disappointed when there is no grave marker, and wonder what went wrong? Was the family short of money? Were they waiting until both partners passed? Has the stone been stolen or broken and not replaced? This week I found one block that appears unique.

At the most southern boundary of the Totara Memorial Park Cemetery, Thames - is a block that has not one marker.  The block is 75, full Id from the TCDC Cemetery site is: 2PUBL-075-0001 to 2PUBL-075-0022. Council have no records of an event happening that could have damaged the markers, so the mystery remains. Further below are the names and details of those interred in Block 75.

The location of Block 75, circled below.

It is interesting that from aerial views of the cemetery it is possible to make out the change of terrain and some of the plot locations. 

Above: Aerial View of Block 75, and the southern boundary of the Totara Cemetery - there are no headstones or signs of old markers on the ground.
Below: View of the area from the ground. Lines drawn to indicate area of plots in Block 75.

Above: View looking north from Block 75, towards the parking area at the top.

   
Left: Block 74, Block 75 centre right, with no headstone markers. Right: Looking eastward along Block 75.

Interments in Block 75:

JENSEN, Agnes, Date Of Burial 19/10/1962, Aged 57 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0001
JENSEN, Clifford Arnold, Date Of Burial 17/05/1969, Age not recorded, Plot 2PUBL-075-0001 (1963 NZ Electoral Roll: Residence Willoughby Street, Thames, occupation pensioner)

Plot 2PUBL-075-0002 to 2PUBL-075-0008 inclusive - unused plots

LOUDEN, Richard Lepper, Date of Burial 08/04/1964, Aged 63 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0009

LUND, Arthur, Date of Burial 14/01/1964, Aged 52 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0010

Plot 2PUBL-075-0012 - unused plot

MARTIN, Edward Henry, Date of Burial 25/10/1955, Aged 73 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0012

Thames Star 6 December 1955

MARTIN, William Bowden, Date of Burial  7/12/1955, Aged 83 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0013. William was the son of Katherene and William Martin, and lived in Karaka Road, Thames. (see death notice right)

HAYS, Matthew, Date of Burial 5/3/1956, Aged 82 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0014

LEPS, Henry, Date of Burial 30/7/1956, Aged 80 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0015 (1954 NZ Electoral Roll: Residence Waiotahi Creek, Thames, occupation retired)

NEGUS, Charles Bernard, Date of Burial 5/3/1957, Aged 95 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0016 (1949 NZ Electoral Roll: Residence Puriri, occupation pensioner)

TREMAINE, Leonard, Date of Burial 7/9/1957, Aged 78 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0017 (1957 NZ Electoral Roll: Residence Tararu Road, Thames, occupation pensioner)

FLYNN, Leonard Francis, Date of Burial 21/3/1958, Aged 65 Years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0018 (1957 NZ Electoral Roll: Residence Tiki Road, Coromandel, occupation pensioner)

KING, Joseph Henry, Date of Burial 15/9/1958, Aged 80 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0019

KELLY, Jack, Date of Burial 24/4/1961, Aged 37 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0020

BALLE, Emanuel, Date of Burial 13/1/1962, Aged 80 years, Plot 2PUBL-075-0021

Plot 2PUBL-075-0022 - unused plot

Conclusion:

Maybe you have one of these people in your extended family tree or perhaps recall a time when a headstone was on the site. If you have any further information please let me know.

Thames (NZ): Photographs from Sir George Grey Collection - Have you seen these?

We are always on the hunt for new photographs, so it always pays to browse whats available at Auckland Libraries in their Sir George Grey Collection. Here are a few photos that I had either not seen before or at least forgotten!

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-2

Description

Showing an overshot waterwheel and associated buildings, probably part of a gold mining operation in the Thames area, possibly Brown and Campbell's Battery in the lower Tararu Valley.

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-20

Description

Showing the Billy Goat Creek at the base of Billy Goat Falls? in the Kauaeranga Valley, Thames

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-23

Description

Showing a view south along the Kauaeranga Valley

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-31

Description

Showing kauri logs on the bed of the Maungarehu Creek, with the water race on the hillside above

NB There are many more in this series relating to the Kauaeranga River and Valley.

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-65'

Description

Donkin's garage (right), on the corner of Walter and Pollen Streets, Thames, looking south

A blurred photograph, but a great view just north of Walter Street intersect with cars lined up getting petrol from Donkin's garage.

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-66

Description

Showing the Thames School of Mines and neighbouring buildings in Cochrane Street, Thames

This is a beauty looking across at the school of Mines, east along Cochrane Street. Well's had a butcher shop for many decades in the two storied building centre right, a few doors past that is the old Cornwall Arms Hotel. The houses top centre are in Princes Street, an extension off Upper Albert Street, with Broad Street below.

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-67

Description

Looking east along Richmond Street, Thames near Brian Boru hotel. Old Oddfellows' hall (right), later used as picture theatre, ballroom, skating rink and auction mart.

Great view looking up Richmond Street, to the Karaka (Una) Hill. For some reason these main side roads were so rarely photographed. As you can tell, there weren't many cars in Thames, and this was the case for decades. Old Thamesites could virtually recite who were the 'wealthy' families who had cars! Many will remember the old auction mart that is in the vicinity of where Te Korowai is today. A great place to go and swap comics and an amazing place to skate!

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-68

Description

Showing houses in Albert Street, Thames

Another great view along Albert Street to Upper Albert Street in the distance. What year do you think this could be? 1940s or 50s? Look closer and you can get a good feel for the town and the hardship that was and had been endured. Thames was bankrupt in the 1920s and then hit hard by the 1930s Depression. The state of the streets and general maintenance is a window into these hardships. Victoria Park south is on the right. On the left is the Park Hotel, unless it is the 1950s, then the name had changed to the Lady Bowen Hotel.

There is a selection of photographs taken from the Waiotahi Hill also of interest - some are blurred in the series but this is a great one below.

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-70

Description

Showing a view of the Firth of Thames from Monument Hill. Albert Street (left) and sewer pipe, Lady Bowen Hotel (previously Park Hotel). Williamson Street and Royal Hotel (right). Remains of Burke Street Wharf protection wall still visible top right.

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-81

Description

Showing a view of the Firth of Thames from Monument Hill. Showing the remains of the old Burke Street Wharf and the sea walls. Moanataiari flat on right later reclaimed.

Now to one of the best, a photo of the old Moanataiari flume, that still stands at the Hauraki Prospectors Association grounds, at the northern end of Queen Street, before the Moanataiari Creek Road.

Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 1192-74

Description

Showing a water race at Thames, the site of the former Golden Crown Battery, now the Thames Gold Mine Experience site [Hauraki Prospectors Association] adjoining the State Highway, across the road from Haven street. The area was formerly known as Tookeys Flat. 

The view today thanks to google maps (below).

So remember, keep exploring, new photos are going online all the time!

Share your favourite finds, and I will add them to the blog.

NB. I am on the hunt for any photographs taken during 1939-45 in Thames, particularly if war related. Maybe soldiers going or home on leave, Parades, VE and VJ Day etc...