The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24th, l921. EARLY HOKITIKA.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24th, 1921. EARLY HOKITIKA.

At the meeting of the Hokitika Beautifying Association last night what proved to lie a very interesting paper on the birth of the borough of Hokitika, and the nomenclature of its streets was read by Mr Evans. The information conveyed gave something more than a fleeting glimpse of life in Hokitika more than half a century ago. It is good to revive memories of the past, and it is well to have the links with the past strengthened, from time to time with reminders of the’ history of those other days. The foundation and career of Hokitika has been of the romantic order, and the suggestion that a complete history of the early times should be prepared is one which the authorities should follow up. The hand of early pioneers is passing away, and we are losing touch with the old atino- ' sphere of those younger days. It j would he well to act betimes in chronicling as completely as possible the story of the stirring times which brought thousands to our town, and which witnessed the carving of a town 'out of the dense forest. Work went forward swiftly in those times. A very few months served to see Hokitika established. In the first year of its municipal life the street expenditure alone was set down at £23,382, while the income from rates was shown to lie only £B,OOO The pioneers who found a way through the difficulties and.dangers of the mountain passes and the rivers and streams to the new el Dorado, were evidently confident of overcoming such small matters a« finance to make streets. The road to Christchurch for instance was made in a remarkably brief span of time, am’ the initial cost for that great work, a*.it must have been in those early days was given at only £150,000. Yes, there were giants in those far off days in every walk of life, and it would appear we never fully realise nor appreciate what we owe to the sterling men who in those times solved great difficulties for us who came after in laying the foundation of civic life here It certainly was n happy idea to mum ,

the streets of the town after the names of the prominent men of the period. This is indeed a lively means of cm.. nection with the past, and"the references in the paper read at -he Town Hall last night in the interesting a - count of the personality of the men of the past who in an official way were so directly associated with the fortunes of the town proved quite engrossing. Especially is this so in regard to Mr Sale and the late Mr Revel!, and it is a happy suggestion that their memories should he perpetuated in some ways by a local memorial. The founders of the corporation well deserved to have their memories perpetuated. In the circumstances of those past times their lot and task here must have i>een difficult and arduous. Isolated as Hokitika was at the time of its inception, great responsibilities were tin ust on those in power. That they used their positions wisely and well we. may gather from the esteem in which they were hold and the smoothness wth which matters took their course. “Friends depart and memory takes them to her caverns pure and deep” and a memorial is an untoward and visible reminder stirring the depths of memory ns to the services performed for the public weal. Hokitika has a romantic beginning and its past is becoming embalmed in the dreams of memory. 4,el us with memorials and the records of history help to keep the story extent, for—- “ Though varying wishes, hopes and fears, Fevered the progress of tlio'e by-gone years. Yet now, days, weeks, months but seem The recollection of a dream.”