Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Thames (NZ): 27th November 1913 (100 years ago)

What was happening in Thames 100 years ago, on the 27th November 1913?
  • High Water was at 5.44am and 6.18pm
  • E DUNNAGE, opposite the Salvation Army Hall in Pollen Street was advertising a range of Xmas cards and photos
  • Children were holding a Demonstration Concert at the Salvation Army Hall at 7.30 pm, admission cost: Adults 6d Children 3d. This was part of the Salvation Army Anniversary Entertainment.
  • James Hawkes, carter was at new premises in Brown Street and advertising coal from Huntly, Westport and Waikato
  • The Anniversaries for the month included the first vote for women on the 28th November 1893
  • New Drill Hall. The Thames High School and the New Zealand Defence Department had reached an agreement over exchange of land, which would mean that a new Drill Hall could be built in Mackay Street. This was just south of the Masonic Hall.
  • Weather forecast: Westerly winds strong to gale, rain probable
  • KOPU FERRY: the site for the crossing across the Waihou River had finally been decided
  • Thames Mining News. The Deep Levels was at 1000 feet, but nothing much was happening and little change in the water coming from the deviation crosscut. The Occidental Consolidated showed some signs of gold in the reef. The New Sylvia reported good volumes of ore with lots of mineralisation. The Moanataiari No 3 level had some good quartz veins.
Kopu Township
Source: Auckland Weekly News 30 th May 1907
Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19070530-8-1

Below are photos of the Hon Massey's visit to the Hauraki Plains. He arrived at Thames, went by gig to Kopu, before going by launch to Turua. A full report of his January 1913 visit to the Hauraki Plains is in the Auckland Star 20th January 1913.
Showing two snapshots taken of the Prime Minister while on his visit to the Hauraki Plains, Thames, January 1913
Source: Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19130123-4-2
 
The full description of the above 1913 photo was:
From desolate swamp to arable land: snapshots of the Prime Minister's visit to the Hauraki Plains, Thames District, Auckland. The new style and the old: two snapshots taken last week of the Prime Minister while on his visit to the Hauraki Plains.
(The wharf on the left is likely the Thames/Burke Street Wharf and the boat The Wakatere)