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KEEPING THAMES on TOP of THINGS
Much of the literature on the
Thames reports the prosperity
that was achieved in its early
years of goldmine productivity.
However, not all the goldmines
and claims were immediately
profitable. Streams did not
produce the easy alluvial gold
imagined by the thousands of
hopeful prospectors who
staked claims. The gold
was located in hard
quartz reefs that required underground mining,
pumps, tramways and stamper batteries. Many
of the miners and battery hands, finding no
fortune, left the field in search of other work.
Despite the steady and slow economic decline
of the fields after the mid-1870s and the
consequent reduction in population, those
remaining kept the economy ticking over,
preventing the Thames area from becoming a
‘ghost town’ – a common fate for settlements
that formed around gold rushes.
With the gentlemen investors and entrepreneurs
long departed, the business end of the
economy rested on commerce and a slow
evolution of industry to meet changing needs.
Curiously, the town’s resilience may have been
created by the vibrant spark and fury of the
town’s start-up. Men of vision and ability, with
a sense of adventure who were willing to take
risks, laid the foundation that would endure –
men like Graham, Mackay, and the Taipari.
It was this ongoing local effort – and the
resourcefulness of many businessmen like the
26
COROMANDEL LIFE 2015 WINTER
following – that contributed to the
town’s survival.
ALFRED and GEORGE PRICE
These English brothers opened an
engineering workshop in Auckland
in 1868. In 1871 they built a foundry
in Thames that designed and
manufactured machinery and parts
for the mines and forest industries,
employing many skilled labourers.
A&G Price soon diversified into manufacturing
a variety of products, including steam engines,
locomotives and river steamers. They survived
by manufacturing what was wanted and
needed in the changing times, and doing it well.
The present day industrial complex is an iconic
Thames landmark employing 135 people and
located on Beach Rd.
Two German brewers,
LOUIS and BERNARD
EHRENFRIED
, started The Phoenix Brewery in
1868. This was an important local industry –
the beer could
be consumed
locally by thirsty
miners, and
also exported,
creating extra
income and
jobs. The
company
eventually
moved to Auckland and merged with other
breweries to form NZ Breweries in 1923.
JOHN READ
, founder of Read Bros. Hardware
was among those original entrepreneurs who
remained in the Thames area, supporting the
town through the economic ups and downs
(see next page).
TWENTYMAN’S FUNERAL SERVICES
,
established by William Twentyman in 1867,
was first located amongst a settlement of
canvas tents and scrim shanties. The business
continues in Thames under that name to this
day – the oldest operating funeral home in NZ.
OTHER BUSINESSES COME ON BOARD
Committed residents established other
new industries during the 1870s including a
biscuit factory, a tomato sauce plant and a
fruit preserving sector. The peach industry,
for instance, opened up local produce to
international markets.
In the same spirit, clothing shops began hiring
locals to sew garments, saving the cost of
paying for imports and providing employment
as well. Several new businesses like these
were established as individually led projects
to improve the area’s economic opportunities.
(We plan to highlight others that played important
roles in the future of Thames in upcoming issues.)
place your trust in the understanding and professionalism
of a TWENTYMANS funeral
your
local
caring
funeral
director
382 Ngati Maru Highway
•
Thames
•
07-868 7960
Aeroview
FOR ALL YOUR GARDENING NEEDS
PEN I NSULA WI DE
Plenty of parking • Open 7 days 8:30 - 5:30
•
The largest range of fruit trees and berry fruits
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• A wide selection of native trees and shrubs and well
hardened flowers and vegetable plants
•
A fantastic variety of herbs
•
Potting mixes, compost, mulches, peat, pea straw,
organic mixes, seed raising mix, orchid mix
•
Fertilizers, insecticides, fungicides
• A great gift shop • Qualified, knowledgable staff
Morris & James Pottery
Ceramic pots, hanging
baskets and lots, lots more
• Family owned & operated villas • Weekly fee $100
• 2 & 3 bedroom villas with designs for everyone’s taste & budget
• Active residents organizing events & fun
• Thames hospital close by
NEW APARTMENTS
COMMENCING 2015
It’s all
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82 Richmond St,Thames
•
Ph: 0800 868 5484
•
richmondvillas.co.nzCelebrations
Pool and Spa
Village Choir
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