Hokitika Guardian & evening Star TUESDAY, JUNE 29th., 1920, THE BIRTH OF WESTLAND.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1920, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & evening Star TUESDAY, JUNE 29th., 1920, THE BIRTH OF WESTLAND.

In another column to-day we have tal en the liberty of printing a very intei eating article culled from Christ’s Col lege Magazine, dealing with the birtl !>f Westland. The article in questioi [ was ileaded “Greenstone and Gold,’ and was, wt ppderstand from the pen o Mr Angus J. Harrop, a young studen from here now going through his coi lege course. The genesis of the article it will be gleaned was inspired by watcl ing a sunset at Hokitika. Green anc gold are the predominant tints in oui most notable sunset effects, and with Mr Harrop’s vivid imagination has con. nected them with the two commodities which were the deciding factor in giving Westlapd first its native population, and later the European inhabitants who came to stay. Mr Harrop’s eontribu- . tion to the College Magazine might he regarded as a foreword to the fuller and more complete story we hope he will yet write of the history of Westland. Actually,, we know but little of our own country—and least of all of its traditional history connected with the native settlement of the province of Westland. The Westland scholars are plied with the history of other countries, hut of the birth of Westland and its rise from primeval condiions, £hey know nought. ( And their seniors know as little of the dawn of civilisation here, ! and tho circumstances under which the 1 white man came to win treasures from I nature and then to settle and begin na_ ' tion building. In “Greenstone and ' Gold.’’ Mr ITarron with an interesting

pen lias given us a picture of the past—an outline leaving much to be filled in. Tho details would add greatly to the interest of the story which has yet to be told. Cannot the story be told in full? Mr Harrop has shown he has the pen of a ready writer. He is a native born Weßtlander, and haß that inherent love of country which would make the task of writing the full story, largely a labour of Igve. Cannot he bo induced to expand tho story to an actual history . and record of the birth and early life ' of Westland? This is a matter of public interest, and of such moment that ' the local bodies might well be asked to assist in or subsidise such an undertaking. A work for permanent record and reference cannot be compiled without oxpense and the burning of mid-night oil. It i 8 of more valuo to the people as a whole than it can be to an individual, and it is not unreasonable.

for community assistance to be given through the local bodies. f We hope the matter will bo taken up in a provincial way, and such an offer made as will induce Mr Harrop to explore beyond the fringe of his subject and get to the heart of hift story. Of liis ability to do justico to the theme, his beginning gives most excellent promise, and wo hope lie will bo persuaded to carry on, and in the course of time produce a work worthy of the subject he appears to have so much in mind. Wo are sure that Westlanders generally would bo delighted if the young author would continue what he has begun so ably, and carry through his task to completion. Such a history would have a vogue as a work of reference for all time, and be a worthy tribute to the pioneer band who helped to lay the foundations of Westland in the far-off days of yore.