Old Coasters Honoured at Christchurch

Grey River Argus, 17 September 1948, Page 2

Old Coasters Honoured at Christchurch

Four old West Coast residents, all over 80, now living in Canterbury, were guests of honour when more than 500 members attended the first annual dinner of the West Coasters Association (Canterbury) which was held in Christchurch. The guests of honour were Messrs T. Marks and J. Armstrong, and Mesdames Boustridge and Lumsden. ’ The president (Mr W. G. Robson? introduced Mr Marks as the frtst white child born in Hokitika. Mr Marks told the gathering that he was born in Hokitika 81 years ago. He remembered a tidal wave which inundated Hokitika in the 70’s, and recalled that ships tied up to trees before the jetties were built for the port. When he was a young man he used to sell whitebait for 3d and 4d per lb. in the streets of Hokitika, he said, comparing that sum with the present price of 7s 6d per lb. Mr Armstrong was introduced as one of the first mine managers on the West Coast and recalled travelling up and down the Grey River on the coal barges, and‘-the opening of the first railway line on the West Coast. He told the gathering that he conducted the Duke of York (later King George V) through his mine, and said, “the Duke was a fine old chap and just like one ot us.” During the 11 months since the association was begun, said Mr Robson, the membership had grown from about 200 to 600, and he expected that the figure would be considerably increased by the next annual dinner. A toast list was honoured and a dance followed the dinner.