From: Edward
To: Jan
Subject: Born in Waipawa
Hi Jan
I was born in Waipawa at the Rathbone maternity home in 1944. We lived at 2 Waverly Street and left in 1960 to come to Australia. I am now a Queenslander. Some may remember my father, He had Annand’s book and stationery shop in High street, until he sold in 1959
Edward Annand
From: Jan
To: Edward
Subject: Born in Waipawa
Hi Edward,
It’s interesting to see a familiar name. I actually reproduced a sign for our Museum a few years back for Annand’s bookshop… And I’ve met and been on a few committees with Gordon and Kevin Annand too – and they must be relies of yours as I don’t think the surname is too common. They still live and work locally.
Rathbone Home (where you were born) is no longer is a maternity home… in fact a few years back it was an old folks home, and more recently has been sold to someone to make into a private residence. Its a huge place for a private home though – although it would be great if you had a large family of say… twenty kids or something.
If you ever come back to Waipawa you will find it quite different to when you left.
In 1985 most of the shops on the Eastern side of High Street have been removed(which is where Annand’s book shop was)… and so now we have a big carpark there instead, and the Museum (which used to be the Bank of New Zealand.)
I tried to find a photo of the shop here at home but couldn’t find one (but I know there’s one down at the museum)
The only photo I could find isn’t a very good one and its back in about 1920… but I can tell you which shop was Annand’s.
Looking from front right of photo there is the end of the Empire Hotel, then Bank of New Zealand building, then old Post Office (with the tower), then there’s a little walkway down to railway line, and then the shop which would have been Annand’s.
Anyway don’t know if this is much help…
🙂 Jan
(photo high street.jpg)
From: Edward
To: Jan
Subject: Born in Waipawa
Hi Jan
That photo does show the bookshop it was still like that in the 50’s.
Is the house at 2 Waverly Street still there?
Does the Municipal Theatre still show movies? It was called the Regent when movies were shown every wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights with a matinee 2.30pm Saturday. I learnt to be a projectionist in that theatre when I was still going to school and when I left school in Australia I got my first job with MGM theatres Sydney as a projectionist.
Harold Booker was the projectionist then. He taught me. He lived at 8 Waverly Street. I guess he has passed on now.
Mum and dad have both died now and buried in Australia (Tweed Heads).
Are you related to Athol Bibby He taught me in Primary School?
Great memories for me.
Thanks
Ted Annand
From: Jan
To: Ted
Subject: Born in Waipawa
Hi Ted,
I’ll have to go for a walk down Waverly Street and see if your old house is still there. I have a feeling that there might be some units there now, but maybe that’s the house next door?
And No, unfortunately they don’t show films there any more. Mum has told me stories about going to the movies there and then rushing down to the Lounge at intermission for an ice cream.
Now-a-days the town hall is used for M&D productions and other town events.
Its really interesting that you used to work as a projectionist at the Town Hall as you may have some stories you might like to share?.
Waipawa’s 150th birthday is coming up next year (2010) and one of the projects that’s happening is renovating the town hall.
The Town hall was originally built when Waipawa turned 50 in 1910 – so is 100 years old.
And to celebrate the building they’re collecting together people’s memories of times there to put in a little book, so any funny little stories you can remember would be really appreciated.
Harold Booker has died a few years ago. His wife Betty has moved out of their Waverly Street house and has moved up to Limbrick Street where she’s very happy.
Athol Bibby is my grandad’s cousin… Athol’s dad and my grandad’s dad were brothers. He’s still alive and living up in Havelock North. Every year we buy him a ticket for a duck in our annual Duck Race and he tries to get down to watch the race. So far he’s only won a booby prize – a keyring with a little yellow duck on it… still my ducks haven’t won anything, so I can’t laugh.
Anyway if you can think of any stories about the town hall or something that happened while you were showing films, please let me know
🙂 Jan
Hi Edward,
I found this old photo of Annand’s Bookshop. Its not from your Dad’s time of running the business, but probably your grandad’s. This is Annand’s bookshop taken around about 1896. I just thought you would enjoy the photo.
🙂 Jan
From: Ted
To: Jan
Subject: Annand shop and the Waipawa Movie theatre
Hi Jan
Thanks for the pic that’s is my grandfather D Annand is David Annand. He died when I was little sometime in the 1950’s I think
He and my Grandmother also lived in Waverley Street but I cant remember the number.
I have been trying to think of interesting things about the Theatre.
When movies were shown Wednesday Friday and Saturday night 8pm with a Matinee Saturday 2.30pm the Theatre was Called “The Regent”
I think it was sometime during 1956 maybe early 1957 the stage area and proscenium was altered to accommodate the wide screen for cinemascope. The projection room was extended and new projectors and sound system was installed.
The first movie Screened in Cinemascope was “Meet Me In Las Vegas” starring Dan Dailey. Curtains were installed at this time and I can remember many nights they got stuck opening and I would have run backstage and climb up to the top of the proscenium to untangle the curtain rings.
The downstairs seats and chairs were not fixed to the floor so they could be moved for dances or whatever and sometimes during a boring movie the kids would set them falling over like dominos, and if something was on in the Concert Hall the seats would diminish in number as they were taken in the concert hall.
I remember the Rotary Club always had a meeting every Wednesday about 6’ish in the Concert Hall so we would often get a free meal if enough left over.
The screen was on wheels so it could be moved back if the stage was to be used for a play or whatever, Johnny Cooper talent quest was one big thing that happened in the theatre during 58 I think so the screen was moved after Saturday Screening put back for Wednesday night, then moved again after the session and put back for Friday. That was a busy time for us.
Arthur Jackson was the proprietor of the movie business he had Waipawa, Waipukurau, and Takapua movies
If I think of anything else I’ll send it to you
E
From: Jan
To: Ted
Subject: Annand shop and the Waipawa Movie theatre
Hi Edward,
Thats really interesting. I can imagine kids being a bit of a pain with chairs like that, and knocking them over even now. But its great to have someone tell me how they accommodated the movie theatre into the town hall where it is used for other events as Ive never been to the movies in Waipawa (I only used to visit Waipawa as a child- a lot of my extended family lived here).
I was trying to find some photos of Waipawas main street for another person for around the 1950s- 1960s time period, and borrowed some photos from Betty Booker (Harolds wife). Unfortunately I havent found any relevant photos for that person, but I did find these two old photos of the projection box and the movie amplifier. I dont know if these are from your time or earlier
They look quite old.
I also found in Harolds photo collection a couple of photos of the shop that was Annands bookshop but theyre taken in 1985 just before and after that side of the road was demolished.
The green shop on the right was the shop formerly known as Annands Bookshop.
As you can see, Waipawas main street was drastically changed in 1985. Now we have a row of cherry blossom trees and some carparks there instead of shops. Only the other side of the road still exists
and some newer shops around the back of the main street towards Nelly Jull Park.
Thanks for sharing your memories. Theyre really great
Jan