Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 8, October 1967
By Ivy Moore
I was only crawling when my people moved from Thames to Paeroa but I have most happy memories of my School days there. One in particular is worth recording — for it was really "out of this world". Mr. Taylor taught me in Standard 6 (Form 2, now), and he had many original ideas and devices. We had a "black-out wall" with stars in their places, with planets and a wooden "Southern Cross" which we caused to revolve according to times and seasons. Now I'm so interested, I fall over my own feet while looking at the beautiful night sky and identifying the stars.
My father being in the Hotel Business we left when Prohibition was carried, and as I was then 14 years of age I went to the Auckland Technical College for two years, and then to a Private School for final instructions in Shorthand, Typing and Book-keeping. However that was not to be my main occupation for like many girls, I had a leaning towards "Hair-dressing". At the Salon of Miss McElwain in Queen Street - almost opposite Smith & Caugheys - I learned the art from A to Z. Those were the days of really long hair and elaborate 'hair dos'. We had a Dutch Tutor and learned to make pads, switches, wigs, to apply tints and dyes in the workroom before touching Patrons' heads. The Manicure Table came next followed by a thorough course in shampooing, trimming and singing. Professor Zeveen maintained that the singing prevented the hair from "bleeding". Thence we progressed to Marcel Waving and Hairdressing proper (no hair sprays in those days), yet we managed to make an elegant job of it, though styles and times have changed.
Actually, my father J. Harry Noore [Moore – E] who died in 1938 in his 81st year, was originally in the Hairdressing business in Paeroa on the site now occupied by the B.N.Z. He was also interested in Mining at both Thames and Ohinemuri being one of the party with the late Messrs E.M. Corbett and John Goonan who unearthed a very rich lode at Waitekauri. Besides owning and working several claims in Karangahake and Coromandel, he assisted many Prospectors and supported all movements for charitable purposes. Later he was a very popular "Mine Host", interested in all forms of Sport, being an enthusiastic member of the Rugby Association - linked with such names as Rolton, Keating, Sorensen, Barrott, Royal, Hutton, Brenan and Silcock, (the one remaining stalwart). A foundation member of the Paeroa Volunteer Fire Brigade and its Captain in 1897 he was made a life member. Other members of the "Moore" family served for many years, especially my Uncle W.J. Moore and his sons. My brother W .H. Moore died a year ago. I am sending you some very old photographs, some of which belonged to the late Mr. John Rawlinson who lived at Waikino between the years 1904 - 12. His daughter Gloria who still lives in Auckland became well known for her Poetry when she was a young girl.