WELCOME TO PIONEERS.

Thames Star, Volume LXI, Issue 16940, 2 August 1927, Page 4

WELCOME TO PIONEERS.

AT THE KING’S THEATRE.

Though the weather remained fine for Saturday’s official welcome to the pioneers, a decision made the previous day to hold the ceremony in the King’s Theatre was adhered to. Long before the appointed time, pioneers and their friends commenced to fill all parts of the building, until at 3 p.m. it was crowded in every part. A picturesque touch was added by the presence of a party of natives from the Ngatimaru tribe, all of whom wore mats and other emblems symbolical of greeting. On the arrival of the Hon. G. J. Anderson and party, Chief Tamaiwhina Rawiri led the party in a stirring war cry as His Worship ..the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs W. Bongard), escorted the distinguished visitors on to the stage.

The ceremony, which lasted over two hours, was closely followed by the audience, who listened intently to the various speeches, all of which drew frequent bursts of applause! The Mayor’s Greeting.

His Worship the Mayor presided, and, in an admirably-phrased and wellworded speech, cordially welcomed and invited all pioneers to.join in the celebrations. In his opening remarks, Mr Bongard spoke of the pride of the present generation of Thames in that day being able to greet so many pioneers of the Thames goldfield, and of a still greater pride felt in their descent “from that noble band of men and women, who braved the trying conditions of life in their determination to win through and make history, in the late ’sixties.” (Applause). “Again I say,” said Mr Bongard, , we greet you, with- as warm a welcome as Thames has ever given, and may that greeting prove to be one of comfort, and good cheer to you all. J “We, of the young brigade, knowing the conditions that obtained on this goldfield during the early period of its existence, fully realise the trials and difficulties that We realise what self-sacrifice was made to locate yourselves in an area, suddenly declared a goldfield ,and mdre particularly in a locality such as Thames was, sixfy years ago. One can recall to mind many incidents of grit and endurance, characteristic of the racedeeds that can be related time and time again, with increasing enthusiasm. The grit displayed by Mr S. McCall who, on the occasion of his approaching marriage in 1857, rowed, with the assistance of some natives, in a whaleboat to Auckland and back, a distance of 85 miles, to secure his marriage license, and on his return, finding the document irregular, had to repeat the journey before the ceremony could take place, is parallel to the courage displayed by the wife of a digger w,ho bravely struggled and kept her home together while she encouraged her husband to stick to his job and develop a claim which, I am informed, he eventually sold for the sum of £IO,OOO. Grit and endurance, a characteristic keynote of our race, were undoubtedly practised by our

pioneers. “We still treasure those records and memories of the past of our athletes, in all branches of sport, tho success of our Rugby footballers, of our whaleboat racing crews, and of our fire brigade and rifle shots being particularly uppermost. “The success achieved in this and other lands by students from our School of Mines and High School, and so on, could one recall event upon event, which link year to year, is a chain of honourable memories.

Days of the Fortune-Hunter.

“Yes, Thames is sixty years old, but we must admit that for a goodly portion of that period, it was rightly termed a ‘mushroom town.’ We realise that in the early feverish rush of the fortune-hunter town-planning would not be a predominant feature, and so, in common with other wellknown goldfields, we cannot to-day present to the old brigade a town comparable with one built around the development ‘of long-established and stable industries; but our pioneers will realise that the young brigade is doing its ‘bit,’ and we believe you will admit that credit is due to us for our earnest endeavours to carry »on and improve from where you left off, and

to maintain a rate of progress commensurate with its position, as the main centre of a richly-grassed farming area. Hopes for Future. “Afthough we have changed from a mining to a dairying centre, which change has brought prosperity with it* we still cling to the belief that there is yet much gold to be won, and, in this direction, I am glad to say, greater activity is now being displayed in the hope of reviving the old industry, than has been the case for many years past. We have. sound reason to hope for the future development of our secondary industries, and, with the completion of the building of that important structure, the Hauraki bridge, linking town and country, increased prosperity awaits us. “And so, in this spirit of progressiveness, we receive our pioneers, and have many good wishes to express. “May your stay amongst us brirife back pleasant memories of the past. \

“May you make new friendships that will prove as true as those of the past.

“May you have evidence of the bility of your old home town. “May you enjoy to the full the celebrations of this auspicious Occasion, In which you are invited to share. “May you take away with you that feeling of contentment, inspired by the knowledge that your labours and efforts of the early days, in establishing the town of Thames, were not spent in vain, and lastly, “May Almighty God continue to give you health, peace and comfort in your declining years. “Pioneers and visitors, the town is open to you. Make free and enjoy yourselves.” (Loud and prolonged applause.) Mr Watson’s Greeting. The next speaker to greet the audience was Mr E. Watson, chairman of the executive committee in charge of the festival. He extended a hearty welcome to the pioneers of the field. It was gratifying to see such a representative gathering of old Thames pioneers present to assist the committee in its endeavour to make this sixtieth anniversary of the opening of the field a. great and memorable occasion. There was no doubt that it would be the means of bringing together many old, friends of the early days on the field. As a Thames-born boy and the son of a pioneer who came to Thames in '6B, Mr Watson proceeded to relate the following short history of the Thames goldfield: Part of the Natives. “In February, 1864, Sir George Grey, Governor of New Zealand, instructed Mr James Mackav to proceed to the Hauraki district to publish notices calling on the natives who had been fighting to surrender their arms. Mr Mackay, on his return to Auckland, was appointed resident Magistrate and Civil Commissioner for all the Hauraki. During a visit to Hauraki, he was informed by Te Hoterini Taipari and his son, Wairope Hoterini Taipari Ngatimaru, chiefs, that gold had been found near the Karaka Creek by two native prospectors who had come from Collingwood. This was In July, 1867. The chief Taipari afterwards went to Auckland withsome of the gold, and interviewed Mr Mackay and Dr Pollen, who pi-omised to return to Thames, which they did on August Ist., on the steamer Enterprise No. 2, about sixty passengers all told.

“The first reef was discovered on August 12th., 1567, at Kuranui, by Messrs Hunt, Cobley, Clarkson and White, which claim was called the Bhotover, they having discovered a reef exposed in a waterfall in the Kuranui Creek. This discovery was very welcome news to Auckland, especially where the number of unemployed was very great, an aftermath of the trouble with the natives. Miners started to flock to Thames from Auckland, Coromandel, Kawau, Great Barrier copper mines, West Coast of New Zealand, and practically every Australian State. It was not very long before payable gold was being won o;er the field from Tararu Creek to Hape Creek, ! viz., the Bhotover, Long Drove, All Nations, Moanataiari, Junction, Golden Crown, Alburnia, Success, Dixon’s Whau, Una and several others, but notably the famous Caledonian, which, in 12 months, yielded ten tons of gold and paid dividends in the same period amounting to £60,000. (I wish we had some of it now!) The population at this time was estimated to be from 18,000 to 20,000, and Thames was decidedly over-populated. & “In'the year 1874 the Palmer River rcrsh in Queensland took place, and also a trek to the West Coast, which relieved the situation, and the remaining population, estimated at 11,000, set about to make homes for themselves, and make the old town worthy of its name. The first street in Thames was laid out by Mr James Mackay and Mr C. P. Mitchell, and was called Pollen Street, after Dr Pollen, a Government Commissioner for the Hauraki district. Thames, in the early daj r s, comprised three townships, namely, shortland, Grahamstown and Tookey’s Plat, the latter named after Daniel Tookey, who pegged out a valuable claim at the mouth of the Moanataiari Creek. The first wharves were built at Shortland, and the principal part of the town lay between Grey and Richmond

‘-Streets. Nearly all the public offices, ■■banks, churches and principal businesses were within that area. The number of licensed accommodation houses in 1872 totalled 73, showing that that branch of business had been “taken on in earnest. “The northern end, or Grahamstown, as- it is familiarly known, contained all the principal mines, batteries and foundries. The main wharves were also built there, and trade shifted to the northern end and the town then started to expand. The principal buildings were Public Works, Post Office, banks, churches, business houses lawyers and notably the Stock Exchange. When the mining activities ceased the business gradually shifted southwards, •and to-day the centre of the town and Shortland can claim to be the business centres. “For the first thirty years there was no town in New Zealand supplied with more amusement centres, volunteer companies, assembly and ,dance halls

than Thames, foremost among them 'being the five volunteer companies, comprising Thames Scottish, Thames Navals, Hauraki No. 2, Rifle Rangers, Native Rifles, and others. “We young men of the present day,” ■ concluded Mr Watson, “look back with

pride on the doings of our predecessors, and congratulate them on the -spirit that animated them to go forward and pave the way, leaving us a splendid heritage of optimism, good feeling and friendship, which I am

mire is ever present in the heart of -every son of a worthy Thames pioneer. '•-Our greetings and a thousand wel•comes home.” (Applause). Hon. G. J. Anderson.

The Hon. G. J. Anderson,- Minister 'for Mines, also met with a rousing reception, as he advanced to greet the

-pioneers on behalf of the Government. He was greatly honoured, not only as Minister for Mines, but also as a pri--vate citizen in being given the op--por.tunity of attending, and. thanked 'the committee for its cordial invitation. He also wished to express his -appreciation of the efforts of those gentlemen who were responsible for •promoting the function. Such gatherings had always interested him. His father was one of the old prospectors, -and he, the speaker, had spent many •years of his early life on the goldfields, -and consequently had Inherited the -mining spirit, and, doubtless, the mining "microbe.” He was gratified to -see so many old residents present, and wished to associate himself with those Who spoke in welcoming old settlers. The Hon. Anderson went on to refer -to the hardships endured and the fortitude displayed by the pioneers in the days when roads were few and the poor 'transport facilities caused great pri--vation. It was the unconquerable spirit ■of the pioneers that had enabled them •to win through. “The Old Dears!”

The men were of a splendid type, large-hearted, generous and just. “And the women,” said Mr Anderson, “those sriendid women. Don’t I remember -the old dears, although you couldn’t get as close to them as you can to those of this generation.” (This was ■a reference to the crinoline of the early days, and caused hearty laughter). . He wanted to emphasise that it was the intention of the Government to •assist genuine prospecting to the limit •of its power. Wherever there was a -reasonable prospect and a genuine enterprise, the Government would be 'found sympathetic and helpful. The hills of Thames held huge reefs of mineralised ore, and someone nad criticised the Government for not preventing the introduction of German ■capital to work it. German Enterprise.

He would say that so long as “this -or any company spent the money in 'the country and employed our own -people, then I would, say good luck to them.’V•( Applause).

Fifteen years ago he had prophesied that Thames would become a large exporting centre, and he felt that his -prophecy was coming true. On behalf -of the Government, he again joined in the felicitations to the pioneers, and -Wished them many years of happiness -and prosperity. (Applause). Mr T. W, Rhodes. Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., opened his -speech of welcome by an expression of pride at being present that day to meet so many pioneers of the field, particularly Messrs Ross, Woods and "Cheal. (Applause). He was also proud of the fact that he was a son of a -pioneer, and was entitled to wear the -purple ribbon of honoured distinction. They knew of the hardships suffered H by the men of the fields, but they would take off their hats every time to the wives and mothers of the pioneers. (Loud applause). Mr Rhodes went on to speak of the -optimism of the early gold-seekers, Which had been inherited by the present generaion. He paid a tribute to the late James McGowan and the late James Renshaw asd Mr W. Scott for 'the yeoman service they had given the field in grub-staking the pioneers when -times were hard. '■ He was just as -anxious as anyone to see a revival of -the mining days of the early ’seven--ties, and believed it would come. (Loud applause). After recounting some famous hauls -of the field, Mr Rhodes refrred to the excellence of the Star’s souvenir book'let which was a complete historical record of the field, and advised every -member of the audience to purchase 'One. Hq welcomed the pioneers of the -field arid their descendants, and might 'God protect them all, along with their native friends. He wished them all the best of good health, and hoped they •would be spared for the next jubilee. -((Applause). The Native Greeting. The native greeting was the next 'feature of welcome, and was given by Mr T. Murray and Chief Tamaiwhina. The latter called on the present generation to follow in the footsteps of the pioneers, and to worthily uphold the traditions handed dpwn by them. He led a spirited war-cry, after which Mr P. R. Cheal, a dignified and venerable pioneer of splendidly erect carriage, thanked all who had assisted at the welcome. He recounted a few incidents connected with his early -surveying of the swamp area of the field.

pioneers had made them feel that the younger generation had not turned them down as back numbers. Mr J. Linklater, M.P., who lived at Thames thirty years ago, also thanked the organisers of the welcome on behalf of the pioneers. The gathering closed with the singing of the National Anthem.