The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, FEB. 17th, 1922. LOCAL LORE.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian FRIDAY, FEB. 17th, 1922. LOCAL LORE.

It was remarked the other day by a gentleman revisiting Hokitika, and speaking of the improved appearance and prospects of the place, that it was noticeable that there were outside, many interesting enquiries now about the town and its prospects. The gentleman also remarked on the research being done in regard to early history of the place, and was good enough to say how much he appreciated the booklet published lately on the nomenclature of Hokitika streets. He thought a further move should be made in collecting history of the place, not alone in regard to its European settlement, but on tin* native side also. In this direction his attention was turned to the contributions lately appearing in the Guardian on early Westland, and the visitor said the notes should not he lost sight of, but should J be perpetuated in some handy work of ; reference. Apropos of this view, it is noticeable that not only affecting Hokitika or even Westland, there is a predisposition throughout the Dorn in--1 ion to dip into the past and rechron- , icle facts pertaining to early history ; which are of interest and instruction ! to the rising generation. We know | that the notes* on early Westland which are appearing in this paper, are of inI terest to many readers, and we observe that the most" interesting of the series of special articles which the “Lyttelton Times” is publishing, are those which give impressions of the early days, and the struggles of the early settlement to lay the foundations for this young country. But New Zealand is not singular in following such a bent. In Australia quite a feature ;is being made from an educational point of view of the collection of local lore \ .for general information and instruction.

If is certainly a most useful bent along which to direct the juvenile mind for it attaches the pupil very closely by the research the scholar has to make to times and incidents which will be more indelibly settled on bis or her mind. Instead of reading the information from the school primer, the scholar will assist actually in the compiling of the local history,'and the work of authorship will emblazon the facts on his mind more deeply than any other process. The task will help to create patriots with a greater love than ever for their own country whose history will be so close to their own knowledge. The Australian movement ie interesting and it is worth recording some details of tlie work being formulated. In August last the Royal Australian Historical Society, in conjunction with the Department of Education, issued a memorandum to the teachers of New South Wales in regard to local history research. The society pointed out the desirability of teachers encouraging the pupils of the high primary classes in carrying out research work in the history of the localities in which the schools are situated. It was suggested that unde, the supervision of the teachers this could he done by individual effort, supported by collective class work. If the teacher co-operated with his pupils materials to form the basig of a local history could be collected and arranged, and even a local history written by the school. In nearly every centre of any consequence in the State there were to be found men still living who were connected with the original settlements and their subsequent developments. Such an effort would save from oblivion much of the history of our State which otherwise might he entirely lost; it would tend to create a healthy and active interest and pride in the pupils’ district; the pupils’ selfactivity would be usefully directed and employed; and the interest thus reused might possibly result in some pupils eventually setting out on a career •as research students The society advised the teachers to set their pupils the task of seeking for answers to certain definite questions and of interviewing local residents, especially the earlier settlers of the district who should be encouraged to write or dictate their reminiscences. The headmaster of the Knimaville Public School lias adopted a scheme with which the council of the Histoical Sooiety exprss themselves as “greatly delighted” and describe the system as being by far the best that has reached them. At the Emmaville school one definite question is put to the senior children every week—for example, what is the origin of the name Tent Hill? The pupils consult their parents, old residents of the district, and other, and send in their information each week. All the information thus submitted is collated by an assistant-master, and the result is pul>lished in the local newspaper. This not only stimulates the local patriotism of the scholars, hut enables the public to correct any mis-statements. The response to the society’s memorandum has been gratifying. The local histories s 0 far received show evidence of being carefully compiled, and the teachers seem to have gone to a lot of trouble to ensure accuracy. The papers contain much out-of-the-way information, and not infrequently there is a touch of humour. For instance a girl in the Tweed River district, touching on the subject of the women pioneer’s dress, remarks:—“The pioneer women and their black sisters were not rivals in dress.”