After the Waikato land wars, the first militia settlers arrived on 24 Aug 1864 & began transforming Hamilton East

From bullocks & wagons on Grey St (Photo: 1890s)

(L-R): Royal Hotel (cnr of Grey & Cook Sts), William Dey's general store, & Watson Petty’s Tailor & Draper in Kent House

To motor vehicles on Grey St (Photo: 1960s)

(L-R): Royal Hotel, Kerby rental cars, Tanner's stationery, Takeaways, Cycles & mowers, Dairy, & Purdy's dry cleaners

Ngāti Wairere called the area where they built a pā on the west bank between London St & Bryce St as "Kirikiriroa"

Kirikiriroa: "Long stretch of gravel". Early settlers also called the area surrounding Kirikiriroa Pā, ‘Kirikiriroa’.

Much of Hamilton East today was traditionally the lands of Ngāti Parekirangi, a sub-tribe of Ngāti Wairere

On the eastern bank was Te Nihinihi Pā near Cobham Bridge (Photo: Ham East on right-hand side of Bridge)

Opoia Pā was established on eastern side of Claudelands Bridge where railway meets River Road

(Photo: Looking south from Opoia Pā to the Union Bridge)

Miropiko Pā was built along River Road by Ngāti Hānui. The Pā was named after a sacred miro tree that attracted birds.

(The site was purchased by Hamilton City Council in 1980, cleared of buildings, & declared an Historic Reserve in 1987)

Area now known as Jubilee Park in Claudelands was a large, semi-swamp lowland native forest known as Te Papanui

The kahikatea, rimu, matai, miro & tawa attracted native birds which were caught using nets and long spears

Ngāi Wairere had planted crops including maize, potatoes & kūmara in the fertile soils along the Waikato River's banks

Apple & peach groves grew near Waipahihi Pā overlooking Putikitiki Gully, to east of Peachgrove Rd (built on old track)

Following confiscation of land under New Zealand Settlements Act (3 Dec 1863), Kirikiriroa's 1st militia settlers arrive

The 4th Waikato Militia Regiment under Captain William Steele numbered 118 men

Militia settlers landed on eastern bank near present Anzac Bridge on 24 Aug 1864 on gunboat paddle steamer Rangiriri

Rangiriri became a passenger & cargo boat until ran underground in 1889. Its hulk is on display at Memorial Park.

Both sides of river were surveyed & Hamilton East & Hamilton West were developed as separate towns with own town board

Hamilton East was sometimes known as ‘Irishtown’ as several militia families who settled there were of Irish descent

Private James White obtained this deed to an acre (0.4 hectares) of land in Hamilton East in 1867

In addition to a town acre, he would have been entitled to at least 50 acres of land in the country.

Travel across the Waikato River between the two towns was by punt

On 24 Dec 1877, Hamilton Borough Council was formed by the amalgamation of the East & West Town Boards

The Council was constituted under the Municipal Corporations Act 1876. First Mayor was Isaac Vialou (Feb-Dec 1878)

1879: Union Bridge was opened. Over the years, it was known as 'Hamilton Traffic Bridge' & 'The Bridge Street Bridge'

On the left is the toll house on Memorial Drive which later became Hamilton Public Library from 10 Oct 1884 - April 1899

The paddle steamer, the Bluenose, on the Waikato River at Captain McPherson's flax mill wharf, c. 1870

As well as farming his allocated rural land, McPherson set up a flax-dressing mill & built his home named 'Riverlea'

View of Flax Mill in Hamilton East with Union Bridge in the distance, c. 1890-1899

Flax growing along the riverbank, c. 1906-10

After travelling across the Union Bridge, Bridge St (Anzac Parade) connects with Grey St

On the left of Bridge St (Anzac Parade) is Memorial Park next to Memorial Drive

Memorial Park has a plaque that commemorates the military who fought in WWII

Soldiers Park is next to Memorial Park & commemorates the military who have fought since WW1

Advert (6 Feb 1863): Peat & Thornton's Saddlery Establishment has a new Boot & Shoe establishment alongside

Both businesses were on Bridge Street near Grey Street

In 1885, Tom Slade opened coachbuilding & smith businesses, & built a blacksmith, wheelwright, paint shop & show room

The buildings were located on 2.5 acres on the southern corner of Grey St & Bridge St

Circa 1910: Slade's smithy

When Tom died in Jan 1906, his wife, Amy Eddy Slade, took over the lease of Lot 8 where the business was located

From 1923, W.A. Chitty Builder was located on site of former Slade's smithy

Stonemasons J. Bouskill on Bridge Street

In the background are houses on Von Tempsky St & Beale St. (Stonemasons were branch of Auckland firm on Symonds St)

March 1867 - 1921: St Andrew's Presbyterian Church stood on Grey St near corner with Clyde St

The Church became known as St Andrew's in 1885. (Photo: 1870s)

The Church was built by carpenter Edward John Pearson who had been a private in the 4th Waikato Militia

He'd been granted an acre of land in Nixon St (Ham. East) & 50 acres at Rototuna

c.1880: St Andrews Church left of centre; Waikato Hotel near centre and Grey Street buildings to right

View looking across the Union Bridge to Hamilton East

1910

c.1910: Group photo of three members of the Hamilton East Presbyterian Church Board of Managers

In 1912, when parishoners had increased in number, the parish was split into 3 locations: Frankton, Matangi & River Rd

In 1914, new St Andrews Church opened on corner of River Rd (extension of Memorial Drive) & Te Aroha St

Land was purchased for £1000 & new Church was consecrated 1 Feb 1914. (Photo: 1915)

In 1955, the Church Centre opened with 2 halls, kitchen & meeting & Sunday School rooms. (Photo: 1964)

Later, Ministers’ offices & secretary’s office were added. In 2010, Church Centre was refurbished as 'The Link'

In 1921, Church building on Grey St was relocated to Albert Street for use as a Sunday School, & demolished in 1957

1877-c.1911: St Mary's Church, Clyde Street

The timber building was replaced in 1912 by a church built of brick

Dedication ceremony held on 10 June 1877

On 30 July 1884, four Sisters from "Our Lady of the Missions" had arrived in Hamilton by train

Sister Mary St Germaine, Sister Mary of the Seven Dolours, Sister Mary Angele & Sister Francis of Assisi

The Sisters lived in a 4-bedroom cottage at 68 Cook St & began teaching boys & girls in the nearby Hibernian Hall

The Hibernian-Australasian Catholic Benefit Society-Waikato Branch No. 153 had formed on 18 Oct 1880

After the roll of students grew to 30 at the Hibernian Hall, the Sisters decided to build their own school on Clyde St

Later, the Hall burnt down in August 1891

The Sisters bought 2 acres of land for £120 on Clyde St & laid the First Convent Foundation stone on 26 Oct 1884

The Foundation stone was for the Convent's new school and convent boarding house

On 2 March 1885, the official opening of St Mary's Convent held

Dec 1889: Opening ceremonies held for new Chapel (17 Dec) & new parish school with 3 classrooms (19 Dec)

Dr Luck presented 4 stained glass windows for Chapel's sanctuary: St. Andrew, St. John, St. Barbara & St. Cicely.

St. Mary's Select School became 'St. Mary's College' in 1908, & 'Sacred Heart Girls' College' in 1946

In c.1906, the institutions of the Order were renamed as Institutes de Notre Dame des Missions

In 1922, Marist School for boys opened next to St Mary’s, & in Feb 1953, St John’s College (F3-7) opened on Hillcrest Rd

St Mary’s & Marist amalgamated in in 1989 to form Marian School (Y1-Y8)

Opening day 24 Nov 1912

Circa 1920s: St Mary's Catholic Church & the Presbytery

1963: Removing a transformer from an outdoor substation outside the Church's brick wall on corner of Clyde St & Grey St

Just above the truck's roof, part of the south facing wall of the Church of the Holy Rosary is visible

Circa 1971: Main entrance of Church

In front of the entrance is the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue

Interior of the Church

Circa 1971: Rear and side view of the Church

Circa 1971: View looking along Bridge St (now Anzac Parade) towards the Church on Grey St

Euphrasie House was named after the founder of the Order, Adele Euphrasie Barbier [1829-1893]

It housed the nuns who taught at the schools, student boarders & was used as an emergency home for families in need

The Chapel has continued to be used but the Hostel was converted into a boarding house for College students in 2003

The boarding house was used by Sacred Heart Girls' College students & became vacant since 2011 due to seismic issues

In 2012, Hamilton East Community Trust protested against a plan to demolish Euphrasie House, which had a Heritage B rank

The building was bought by the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton in 2012, who intended to build a two-storey Diocesan Centre

In 2017, Euphrasie House was demolished, except for the chapel (Heritage listed as Category 2), which was strengthened

Consent for its demolition, supported by Hamilton City Council, was granted by the Environment Court in April 2013

Two terracotta bricks cemented together are held by Waikato Museum following the demolition of the surrounding wall

1 June 1887, Major James Reid purchased Robert Peat's saddlery business (Photo 1905)

Peat had opened 'Peat & Co' in leased building on Clyde St owned by Wiseman & appointed Reid as manager in June 1886

c.1890: James Reid's saddlery on the right

On left is Hatrick's drapery which opened Dec 1886, & Royal Hotel on corner of Cook St

John Robert Fow purchased the forge from Arthur Francis Vowless in 1905

The forge was "somewhere close to the Royal Hotel in Hamilton East". (Photo: c.1906)

In June 1866, carpenter Philip Le Quesne purchased an acre from Sgt Kealy for £36 at SE corner of Grey & Clyde Sts

Le Quesne built Settlers' General Store on the corner, which also became the post office & a public library

Later in 1874, he shifted the store to the other side of Grey St

Hamilton Hall was built on Clyde St next to Quesne's store (whose site was replaced by Quesne's Waikato Hotel in 1878)

(Photo 1941: Both the Hamilton Hall & Waikato Hotel being demolished, & the Hotel Riverina under construction)

The Hamilton Hall was also known as Le Quesne's Hall & held concerts and meetings

From March 1873 - Sept 1876, it was used as a school until Hamilton East School opened on corner of Grey & Dawson Sts

Article (7 June 1878) describes the architect's plans for the new Waikato Hotel to be sited on corner next to the Hall

Building was designed by Mr J R Vialou, constructed by Mr Thorpe, with bricks made by Silvester Davis

Waikato Hotel on corner of Grey St & Clyde St was completed in 1878 & stood unopened until 1880

(Photo: 1908) The building was in the Doric architectural style. It was built of brick & cement, & roofed with slate.

In March 1880, William Buck applied to the Licensing Board for the license to the Waikato Hotel

The Hotel was "built more than a year ago" & required furnishings to be finished for a license to be granted

The Waikato Hotel opened for business in the first week of April 1880 under proprietor Buck

He had previously worked at the Royal Hotel

Article (1 April 1880) describes the interior of the three-storey Waikato Hotel which was to be opened that week

Between 1911-1922, Le Quesne constructed a block of retail shops ‘Le Quesne’s’ along Grey St

Over the years, Le Quesne's block housed different businesses

By 1991 the block was considered a seismic risk & was knocked down

Article celebrates Philip Le Quesne's 100th birthday & recounts his early days in Hamilton East

1937: Obituary for Philip Le Quesne

Hotel Riverina menu & price list (in pounds, shillings)

Circa 1985

1993: Just prior to demolition

c. 1885: Shop owned by Angus Campbell. Signs on windows advertise: Manures, Field Seeds Ironmongery

Other products advertised on vertical sign boards at edges of shopfront

Postcard of Hamilton East Post Office built 1911 on Grey Street near corner of Wellington St

Was demolished to make way for MacDonalds burgers

On 4 Sept 1911, Mrs Edwards, former postmistress at Raglan, took over from Mr Dey

(Item in Waikato Times, Issue 12171, 4 Sept 1911, p. 5)

Advert (1932): Crosby Brothers, Butchers whose premises were located in Grey St next to the Waikato Hotel

Outside their shop near the kerb is a wooden hitching post that has been preserved today

1953: Flavell's Bakery with cake made for the Queen's Coronation on display

Cake made by William (Bill) Moody who started working for Mr Faville in 1932 & bought the business in 1955

c.1957: Faville's grocery store with bakehouse at rear at 400 Grey Street

The proprietors of the grocery business were Mr Moody & Mr Bowen

In 1873 the Waikato Brewery was set up by William Cumming at the end of Cook St by the Waikato River

The Brewery's site was near the Royal Hotel (on the corner of Cook & Grey Sts) which was bought by Cumming in Nov 1870

DNZ Story on the early beginnings of the Waikato Brewery

The Royal Hotel (SW corner of Grey St & Cook St) opened by Lewis Bassiere Harris, of 4th Waikato Militia, in July 1865

(Photo of Sir George Grey meeting with Kingmaker Wiremu Tamihana, a leader of the Ngāti Hauā iwi, on 1 May 1866)

Notes on the history of the Royal Hotel covering from 1865-1894

The Royal Hotel was owned by William Cumming in Nov 1870

(Photo: Circa 1890)

The Royal Hotel burnt down on 4 July 1894 and was rebuilt later that year

Architect was Thomas Henry White (1843-1923) who was born in Birmingham

The guest rooms are above the main pub along with a balcony. On the left hand side is the Garden Bar & bottle store.

Cycle race competitors at the Royal Hotel, 27 Oct 1909

c.1910: Looking south towards Royal Hotel (Molesworth the Proprietor) on corner of Cook St in distance

Feb 1971: The Royal Hotel being demolished

On 6 Feb 1880, the Oddfellows' Hall was officially opened. The tender to build it was won by carpenter Edward Pearson.

He'd been a member of the Oddfellows' Lodge since 1875. Meetings were held at Royal Hotel on corner of Grey & Cook Sts.

14 March 1881: Edward's sons, William & George, bought Shoeing and General Blacksmith business from Robert Williamson

The Pearsons ran the business next door to the Oddfellows' Hall

In Nov 1880, carpenter Edward Pearson became bankrupt

Pearson began experimenting with making carbolic sandsoap, using Waikato River sand

Pearson applied for a patent in 1884

Adverts were placed marketing the sandsoap as useful in the home & as a disinfectant for businesses

In 1886, Carbolic Sand Soap Works buildings were established by Edward Pearson on cnr of Grey & Cook Sts

(Photo c.1890: Edward Pearson stands on extreme right wearing his smoking hat which is held by the Waikato Museum)

From 1887, the Pearson soap business was managed by former butcher Henry Tristram

He'd sold his butcher shops in Hamilton East & West in 1887 so that he could take over the management

After Pearson died on 29 July 1896, family members became involved in the business which became known as Pearson & Co

George S. Pearson (son), Mrs R. Williamson (daughter Elizabeth) & H. E. Tristram (son-in-law who'd married Minnie)

After 1898, the Oddfellows' Hall was converted by Pearson & Co. into a sand soap factory

The Hall's architect was Thomas Henry White who was living on his farm at Taupiri from 1877-1881 (Photo: c.1890)

A large shed, roofed with galvanised iron, was also erected for drying the soap, which had been dried outdoors

Photo: Pearsons "brick oven" for drying sand

After being used as a soap factory, it became the Buffalo Hall

After being renovated, it is presently used as a bar/restaurant - The Cook

Walds Bakery Limited on Cook Street. (Photo c.1950)

The name was changed to "Wald Properties Limited' on the Register of Companies, 29 Nov 1969

The Masonic Lodge opened on Grey Street in Aug 1877

Lodge Beta Waikato was formed by members of Fourth Waikato Regiment in 1865 & had previously met at the Royal Hotel

Article describes the Dedication ceremony for the Masonic Lodge

The building: "...a handsome brick structure, designed by the Arohiteot, Mr Vialou and built by Mr Taylor, of Hamilton."

On the left is the ivy covered Masonic Hall & on the right is Steele Park (formerly Sydney Square)

c.1908: Taken from about Wellington St looking north along Grey Street

The Lodge then moved to new Masonic Hall on corner of River Rd & Myrtle St which opened in Sept 1924

The building's designer is thought to be local architect John Warren who was a Freemason & had designed other halls

c.1910: View from about Steele Park looking north west along Grey St - Royal Hotel is on left

Parade

Parade - Fire Brigade

Parade - Fire Brigade

Looking south along Grey St - the Royal Hotel is in the distance on the right

c.1920s

c.1940

Thirty Militia veterans attended a reunion of the landing at Kirikiriroa

Photo includes: Colour Sergeant John Knox (standing far left) & Captain William Steele (seated in centre)

4th Waikato Militia wives & descendants at Sydney Square (now Steele Park) during Silver Jubilee on 26 Aug 1889

Sydney Square named after the New South Wales city where members of the 4th Waikato militia enlisted

The oak trees around the perimeter were planted during the Silver Jubilee of the arrival of militia settlers

Each tree was given a plaque with the name of a soldier

Sydney Square was used for social & cultural gatherings for settlers

The field was also used for sports events

Former conveniences & rest rooms, designed by Edgecumbe, White & Leigh in 1945 & built by F Hawkins c.1946

(Photo 1979): On the far side on the right is the Hamilton East Post Office & on the left is the Masonic Hall

Locally sourced timber from forest wetlands was used, including kahikatea & kauri

Beale was declared bankrupt in 1879, & his cottage was sold to Edward Aeneus Harker in 1881

Beale moved elsewhere in Hamilton East until shifting to Auckland in 1886 with his wife & 9 children, where he died 1910

Over the years, with subsequent owners the cottage was modified

During 1919–1927, the original allotment of land subdivided into four lots. Beale cottage is located on lot 4

1870s: View looking towards housing in Hamilton East

c.1890s: James Reid's house opposite Hamilton East School

Reid was former Major in New Zealand Staff Corps & purchased the saddlery business on cnr Grey & Bridge Sts in 1897

1908: Housing along Von Tempsky St

When travelling across Traffic/Victoria Bridge, a view of a house with a spire atop can be seen on the southeastern bank

Henry & Louisa Greenslade purchased the land for their house at 1 Wellington St in 1911

Greenslade House was built in 1912 & was initially called Wairere

The Edwardian free-style house was designed by architect John Willing Warren in 1911-1912

Balustrade on the first-floor verandah is made up of vertical and horizontal elements in a fretwork design

The octagonal tower with its broach spire & ironwork cresting along the roof line are features of Victorian house design

The house was built by J. McKinnon

The timber house on concrete foundations had rimu framing, heart matai weatherboards & kauri fittings

Ceilings are mostly pressed metal (Wunderlich brand)

Modification over the years, included becoming a boarding establishment

It was subdivided into flats, with extra kitchens & bathrooms

View of Waikato River from garden at Greenslade House

Greenslade House has been registered as Category 1 under the Historic Places Act 1980 on 21 Sept 1989

Since 1970, Owners have restored the original internal structure & added new kitchen & bathroom & central heating

Watercolour painting by artist Aubrey de Lisle, 1979

Model made out of 3000 matches, 2L PVA glue, & paint by Darren George, 1994

Dimensions: Height: 485mm, Width: 575mm, Depth: 610mm

Postcard (no date) showing housing in Hamilton East near Waikato River

c.1912

Pre 1921: View of housing facing River Road (later Memorial Drive)

(Also visible on the far right is St Andrews Presbyterian Church which was not removed until 1921)

Between 1939-1945, Hayes Paddock was developed with more than 200 state houses

Gravel pits called "borrow pits" were found which had been used by iwi to develop ash enriched soils for gardening

Photo: 1940-1949 of completed houses

Cambridge firm, “Speight, Pearce, Nicholl and Davy” built about a third & other firms had contracts for specific streets

The houses had underground electricity & telephone wiring, electric stoves & a power point in each room

The State Advances Corporation managed the tenancies which included a “no pets” rule & annual inspections

A block of 4 shops - butcher, grocer, fruiterer & dairy - was built at corner of Jellicoe Drive & Plunket Terrace

Later, the shops became a potter's studio; then a cafe “Hydro Majestic”) renamed “Hydro” (2007) &”Hayes Common” (2016)

The streets were named after Governors-General (Photo: 1976)

e.g Jellicoe Drive was named after Governor-General John Henry Rushworth Jellicoe, appointed 27 Sept 1920-12 Dec 1924.

Hayes Paddock streets and houses, 1976

Another view of Hayes Paddock streets and houses, 1976

The Borough Council had planted an esplanade reserve as a 'garden city' concept of residential housing with a green belt

(This was a 20th C. urban planning movement promoting satellite communities in a city separated by green spaces)

A riverside path & cycleway connects with the Hamilton Gardens & with the Victoria Bridge near the CBD

The Wellington Street beach is a popular swimming spot & has a playground nearby

The area is currently protected in Hamilton City's district plan as a heritage precinct

As houses became privately owned, modifications occurred & some were replaced, altering the area's historic ''character"

1947: View of housing in southern part of Hamilton East on far side of the Waikato River

Jan 1954: View along Grey St from Bridge St

1957: Brick & tile house on River Road, with bricks from Huntly Brick & Fireclay Co Ltd

The Company was established in 1911

1957: Brick &t tile house on River Road

Company changed its name to Huntly Brick Co Ltd in 1961, & Winstone Refractories Ltd in 1975

1964: Aerial photo includes glimpse of Hamilton East on left-hand side of Waikato River

1976: Hamilton East housing & shops on the righthand side of the Waikato River