Coromandel Life Magazine 2015 Winter V3

25 / 56

This sketch of Shortland shows the St. George’s Anglican Church
spire (see directly below) at the corner of Mackay & Mary Streets.
Severn, Henry A: Sketch of Panorama of Thames Goldfield
[Section four of seven]. c 1875. Alexander Turnbull Library
Left: Graham from drawing from theAuckland Observer in 1882.
25
The Waiwera complex included bathing houses, a long pier for easy boat
access, orchards and formal gardens. Paddocks for football, lawns for
croquet, shooting ranges, boat rentals, fishing, music, billiards, and more
offered the guests fun and enriching activities.
This showcase resort, at the time one of the nation’s largest, burnt down
in 1939. The current facilities at Graham’s location are still top Kiwi hot
springs and delightful water park attraction. See
GRAHAM’S HOT SPRINGS TO THE SOUTH
Graham headed south to speculate in the hot
springs and volcanic terraces of the central island
region. Graham secured 4200 acres from Maori in
the area, which included Wairakei Geysers and the
Huka Falls. He obtained control of the Ohinemutu
Hotel (aka the Lake House) on Lake Rotorua, and
also operated the Terrace Hotel at Te Wairoa near
the legendary pink and white mineral terraces
which were both buried by the volcanic eruption of
Mt. Tarawera in 1886.
GRAHAM JUGGLES POLITICS AND PROPERTY
Ellerslie by itself...or Grahamstown or Tararu or Waiwera...would have
been a huge accomplishment for any one businessman. Research
Robert Graham, and you may think you are reading about several
different men, so vast were his interests.
He owned farms, including a pedigree cattle and sheep ranch
on Motutapu Island. He served 13 years as a member of
parliament, and held other positions, promoting public works,
railroads, and roads. And,he was shipwrecked three times!
Graham had great rapport with Maori and often worked
his linguistic charm to his advantage as he mediated tribal
conflicts and secured land deals.
Graham died in Auckland on the 26th of May, 1885, and was
buried in St. Mark’s Cemetery, Remuera, near Ellerslie. His
widow Jane and their sons continued to operate his resorts for
many years.
The reporter wrote: “During the evening his Excellency had a
pleasant opportunity of seeing Grahamstown and its surroundings
by moonlight, the comparatively cool air being very provocative to a
stroll. The hills look finely by moonlight; their great masses stand out
somberly. The scars which the mining operations have caused in all
directions are scarcely perceptible; but the lights from the windows
of the cottages and huts dotted about on the slopes glimmer redly.”
The next day featured a visit to one of the mines, with a men’s
reception in the evening; Lady Bowen held her own reception
for the women. However their visit to the mines would suffer ‘an
inconvenience’.
The day before the visit was due there was a rehearsal with the
newly constructed kauri carriage, especially built for the Governor’s
visit, with a run up the Tararu Valley tramway. The carriage was
snagged by a branch and toppled over the bank, and being
damaged, could not be used the next day. Consequently the
Governor, his wife and party were required to walk a considerable
distance from town to the mine for the visit, passing on the way the
site of the carriage accident. No doubt the party enjoyed the seated
activity of a show at the Theatre Royal later that evening.
The following day included a visit to a mine in Shortland, a dinner
with Maori natives at Taipari’s commodious house on the hill behind
the township, and then a gala ball in the dancehall of the Governor
Bowen Hotel. A grand time was had by all, one that the Governor
said his family would never forget.
THE POWER OF 3
EYE PROTECTION MADE SPECIALLY FOR KIDS
Damaging UV and Blue-Violet light is everywhere
Day and night, indoors or out – Crizal®
Prevencia™ Kids combines the three best
technologies to provide the most
comprehensive everyday eye protection for
your child.
Visique O’Hagan Vision Care
School Ln, Waihi - 07 8637019
612 Port Rd, Whangamata - 07 8650007
11 Willoughby St, Paeroa - 07 8628978
186 Whitaker Street, Te Aroha - 07 8848015
TALK TO US
TODAY TO GET
THE BEST
EYECARE FOR
YOUR FAMILY
UV ! + +
UV LIGHT PROTECTION
ON BOTH FRONT & BACK
LENS SURFACES
BLUE-VIOLET
LIGHT
PROTECTION
SHATTER-PROOF &
SCRATCH RESISTANT
MATERIAL