Thomas William Harrison Hill at Dobson

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DescriptionHi there, I just wanted to share this little discovery with you. My son found this painting online recently when helping me search for information on my great, great grandfather, William Harrison Hill. William was a miner at the Brunner mine when the 1896 explosion occurred but was one of the lucky 50% of employed miners who weren't required for that shift, therefore he survived. This painting appeared in the Christchurch Press and was painted sometime around the time of the explosion (based on the age of my relative in the painting at the time).
The boy holding the bat is Thomas William Harrison Hill, son of William and brother of my great grandfather Albert Victor Hill. Seems there was some confusion over the exact spot of this scene but it is clearly taken on the main road of Dobson looking toward the Brunner mine site.
According to the National Library records, the boy holding the bat, standing next to bowler is Thomas William Harrison Hill (1885-1972); the bowler is Jack Barnett; the distant girl is Cecillia Liddle.
Copy and paste the link for further information. Prints can be ordered here also: https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22691238

Reference for citation is as follows: Presants, Philip Robert, 1867-1942. [Presants, Philip Robert], 1867-1942 :Young New Zealand at play; cricket in a mining town. [Christchurch, Weekly Press, 28 October, 1899].. Ref: C-079-054. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22691238 Date of Photo1890sMap^[1]ContributorNikki Eagle

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Location (city or town)DobsonEventThomas William Harrison HillCricketEarly Dobson

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Date Created30th June 2019CommentsDorothy Wills Interesting story very fortunate finding the painting with your relative in it

Joe Abbott Hey niece that’s fabulous to see the connection with history, and how good are the colours in this painting,

Don Hutton The picture is on the back of the dust jacket of "The Summer Game" by D.O. & P.W. Neely published in 1994 to celebrate the centenary of New Zealand Cricket.

Nikki Eagle Don Hutton thanks for the tip!

Phyllis Aberhart I csn see the likeness for there

Rollo Tomasi I wonder how many of these boys survived WWI ?

James Hume I have seen the paintings they used to be in the brunner working man's club do not know what happened to the pictures you could contact the club never know could have more old photos or put you on to a local

Denise Lois Gordon - Hill Think i do. The glass is broken and the frame is crumbling

Denise Lois Gordon - Hill Isn’t it a lithograph

Gillian Hill You must because I cant find it, probably got when I moved. It is a lithograph published in Christchurch paper. It has the date in it, 18??

Nikki Eagle Gillian Hill hi there! Are we related??

Nikki Eagle Thanks everyone for the information and comments! We are so stoked to have come across this special piece of family history.

Neil Wick Looking to the hill where dad built our house !!

Alan Sheehan Wow, great painting, looks to be near where Bill Ruru lived back in the 70’s.

Neil Wick Bill Ruru lived on the bottom of hill, next to mine lawn.

Judi Trompetter Looks like it’s around Wallsend

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Thomas William Harrison Hill at Dobson

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