Original Moore-Jones image gifted to city

The original glass slide of a photograph of a Gallipoli soldier and his donkey - the basis for Sapper Horace Moore-Jones’ famous war-time painting - has been donated to the people of Hamilton by the family.

The gifting of the fragile nearly century-old image follows the renaming of a central Hamilton street to Sapper Moore-Jones Place last week, says Mayor Julie Hardaker.

“The family of Sapper Moore-Jones were very touched by the city’s acknowledgement of their ancestor, and they retrieved this incredibly fragile original image from their family treasures and have given it to the city,” says Mayor Hardaker.

“The recognition and celebration of those connected with Hamilton’s history is important and with a number of anniversary events for the city coming up in the next two years, I am privileged to receive this very kind and special donation from the Horace Moore Jones family.”

“We will be passing it on to Waikato Museum where our team will arrange for appropriate housing and ensure that the public can share in this important treasure.”

The glass slide is 8 cm by 8cm, and will be formally presented to the Waikato Museum by the Mayor and representatives of TOTI Trust, which has plans to erect a statue of Moore-Jones near the street now bearing his name.

Museum staff say the slide is likely to be stored in an acid-free envelope, but despite its age and fragility, it is hoped it will be on display at certain times.

Moore-Jones was Hamilton High School’s first art master, and died after rescuing others from the Hamilton Hotel fire of 1922.