The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, JANUARY 7th, 1921. THE GOLDFIELDS’ BIRTHDAY.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, JANUARY 7th, 1921. THE GOLDFIELDS’ BIRTHDAY.

'lnis week brings tit to tho diamond jubilee celebrations of the Westland goldfields. The occasion recalls tho real romance of Westland—its evolution from a mining camp to a settled territory from the passing glamour of tho rash days to the staid period of steady prosperity. The jubilee celebration was (me of the chief features to call forth the Exhibition effort. It was thought, wisely, that so important a milestone tit the history of Westland should not he passed without some local recognition, something to give point and effect to a birthday which has carried national consequences in it’s train. 'The discovery of gold in. Westland was of magic effect on the fortunes of the colony sixty years ago. It led to an enormous iolltix of population to New Zealand, just what the country needed to forge its fortunes ahead. The people ot C.intctlmry were primarily interested in tho finding of gold on the “West Const, for Westland was at that time part and parcel of the East Coast province ; hut when the gold was found and tho rush days were it busy reality, all parts of the colony benefited trom the reflected glory resultant- from the yield of gold in ‘Westland. It was

in 1804 that the first find of gold was made in this neighbourhood—just sixty years ago. So. 1924. is tho sixtieth anniversary of tiio event, and tlie diamond jubilee of the Westland goldfields, and the birthday of the district is being eelohrated and commemorated in no mean way by the large Exhibition now in progi ess in the town. Visitors praise the celebration event as in every way creditable, but however good it could he. made, it. could not he too good io mark an event of such national import-ance-looking hack over the range of years, and realising what the discovery of gold on the West Coast has meant to the whole of New Zealand. The value of the gold won in 18<>1 has been sot down at £5.51)0. and the next year over a million, then for the two Pillowing years, over two millions, and for lour subsequent vents each again over a million sterling, fn the first twelve years the yield r.f gold wits about £13,500,000. Thus did the Coast

become known ns the Goldon Const. Gold mining was tho essential industry of those days. Tattle attention to other development was given, for tradesmen often deserted their handicrafts to seel- for the precious metal. It was a feverish desire to get rich quick, and the “rush” days were well named in that respect, But with the passing; of time tho easily won gold quickly disapjieared. and stress of oirciimstaniees caused folk to turn in other directions for a livelihood. It was in this way that the first evidences of farming came about. Land settlement followed the gold-mining rush, and tlve settlers were drawn from the ranks of the miners themselves. It was those who remained, who held on to the Coast, who became the real pioneers of the district. It is the remnant of that hand it is proposed to honor this week. It is -very fitting to do so. It will be a great pleasure to meet the folk sixty years ago, and those who came here, and helped to carve out settlement built homes, reared families under most

difficult conditions. aiul who hy patient perseverance and pluck laid the foundations for the provincial opulence the distiiet now enjoys. To mark the occasion ol the jubilee there could he no more fitting thing to do than to remember the old folk, all of whom did lheii share and Imre their harden in the colonisation of Westland.