WESTLAND GOLDFIELDS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1924, Page 2

WESTLAND GOLDFIELDS

DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATION. TO- DAY’S CEKEMONY. The day broke beautifully fine this morning for the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Westland Goldfields. The town observed a full holiday for the occasion and there was a large crowd in the streets. The train from Grcyinouth brought down about 400, including the Greynioutli Town Band. At 11 o’clock the first ceremony took place, there being a parade of Pioneers headed by the Hokitika Band and Greynioutli -Municipal Band. The Pioneers’ Reunion owing lo ‘lie unsettled weather conditions of lie past few days was altered to take place in the Exhibition Buildings and Town Hall. The Hon ,T. G. Anderson (.Minister of Alines) representing the Government, arrived last evening foi the purpose, and visited the Exhibition later in the evening. After the two Bands had paraded the town the assemblage gathered ; n the Exhibition iu the vicinity of the Band Stand, where the official Reunion took place. Here were gathered a large band of Pioneen* ol both sexes, most of them showing the effects ot King Time. There were many pleasant reunions of old friendships and the buzz of conversation was quite a lively one, the line day putting all present in the best of humor. There were old Pioneers from all over the district, and they showed their pleasure at being able to be present once more, to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. .Many interesting recollections of the good old days were recounted, and much feeling was put into the recital of these old happenings. THE SPEECHES. Air W. J. Butler (President of the Exhibition Executive) extended a hearty welcome to the Pioitivrs ot the West Coast. It was a fitting occasion f r them to be present and one of the principal reasons for this exhibition was tl'ie cePbrntion of the Jubilee. It was fitting to have the lion Minister of Mines present to speak on such an occasion. It was usual that iho Member for tile District should introduce a A 1 inistor of the Crown and lie would therefore ask Air James 0 llrien tit do So.

Afr James O’Brien. .Member for AYestlaud, said it was his pleasing duty to introduce the lion Air Anderson and Airs Anderson to them, and to extend a hearty welcome to ill" West Coast. He had not been on the Coast iu the early days himsolt. They did not have its inanv Pioneers pro sent now. as thov had a 1 the lime ol Jubilee, but he honored them lor their groat work of the past, in opening cri the district. On behalf of the poopin' AYestlaud lie desired to welcome the Tlon and Airs Anderson to the AYest Const and he felt sure they would enjoy their stay in the district. Hon. J. G. Anderson said this was a very imi>ortant occasion that they had met to celebrate, the 60th. anniversary ot tljo discovery of gold in A\ estlaiul. Being the son of a pioneer ot the goldfields of Otago, lie knew the difficulties that the pioneers had to go through in those days, lie had a sorrowful feeling lot* so many who had ] assed away. Primarily he would refer to Richard Joint Seddon, whom they all loved and to whom the people ol New Zil.ilaiul stilt had ;a great debt to pay. He was one of the- foremost men who had lived in New Zealand and was known all over the woild. Then there was the late Mr Bonar.

known so well for his work. There was also Sir A. Guinness and many others. Jl was for them to remember those vho had passed way. He asked them to uncover their heads for a moment in honor of those who had gone over the border. Thank God they had present to-day the helpmate of the late Air .S-ddun. She was known all over New Zealand for the help she had given her husband. Honor was duo to all- who* had done so much for the AYest Coast, lie could remember the Otago goldfields and knew what the pioneers had -one through in those days, and lie could appreciate the dillicultios experienced on the AA'est. Coast. A\ hen tney think of what the men and women of tho onily days had done, they must do honor to their grit and yitmlimxK. Thov came for gold, lor adventure, and to help on the work of colonisation ami they did it. Now they had good roads, hut the worst of them would he highways in the early days. His friend the Hon. Grimmond was here with them to-day. He had been to the other jubilees and he trusted he would he long with them. New Zealand owes a debt to its pioneers that it can never repay. This- province has now got over the prosperity of the gold finds. There will he more gold found but it requires capital and energy. They are now passing through a second stage. T heir forests are now being turned into use and F, the last 20 years over 310 million foot have been turned into use. To-day they wore producing a large amount of butter and cheese but they were only commencing. In the southern portion ol the province Hiey lm l a great asset in their lam! and also in the Grey A al!c'-. Over one third of the gold of N. had been found on the West Coast. Ovei (i 1-3 million ounces ol gold had Icon found on the AYe>t Coast. They had done a great deal lor mining on the West Coast. They had many water races hut they were not being used as they could be. AYest Coast had produced 28 million tons of coal. In every town of New Zealand they met de-

seendants of the j ioneers of the West Coast, anil till were doing well. Now they were connected with the other parts of New Zealand and they would 1 e able to push the rest- of the Dominion along. He thanked them for being able to do honor to those present and lo those who had gone, who had done tlieii part manfully. May those old people present live long to enjoy the

I autumn of tlieii age. He enjoined all tin- young people to do honor to them also. Had it not been for their energy and per.severanee. the West Coast would not have been. He thanked them for their hearing and Mr O'Brien for his kindly references to himself and Airs Andeison. At the mil of the Minister hearty cheers were given For the old Pioneers. Mr G. A. Ferry (Mayor of Hokitika) ! exptes-ed hi.s pleasure at being present to do honor that day to the pioneers

of the district. Mr Perry referred to the past happenings at the time of the rush and the following happenings. Mi Perry again expressed his gratification at the number of people who had come from afar and the kindly interest shown by all in the success of their celebration. Mr T. AY. Duff (County Chairman) expressed his pleasure :»t uhe larfie assemblage. Titov were delighted to see so many of the old pioneers present that day. As a son of. an old pioneer h • was glad to find so many present. Ten years ago they had a large gathering of pioneers. They were glad to know that to-day they had again a large number present, I hey were pleased to know that the isolation they had been suffering from had been removed by the piercing of the Alps. He felt that there was a good future before the district now. He extended, on behalf of the people of Westland, to them a very hearty welcome, and trusted they would have a pleasant stay in the district. Hon IT. L. Michel A1.1..C.. said when he came to Hokitika with his

parents in ie6S, birt bo was too young to do nny pioneering. So claimed to bo the pioneer bonder of tho town, having played bowls with cocoanuts on the brig Rona, on which a noted pirate was in charge. It must be gratifying to them all to fine! that now nearly sixtv years afterward the superstructure laid down by tho pioneers had proved so successful. He was glad to find su many present irom all parts of New Zealand. TTiey had done their part iu the early days and he tribute'.* / what they had done. He also referred to the worthy helpmates and there many trials. He again wished them all prosperity and good health ill the future. Afr R. A. Wright (Mayor of AYellington) said he was extremely obliged for the opportunity of being present on such a unique occasion, lie was one of those who had been n resulenof Hokitika. His people arrived in 1860 and he stayed here till he was eighteen years of age. He had attended Scott’s academy. He had not forgotten the people of the AA'est Coast and their great hospitality. He knew that there were present to-day a great many of- those early pioneers. Air AA’right amused the assemblage by his clever definitions of the mixtures of * English. Scottish and Irishmen. He also told some amusing stories. Continuing Air AA’right complimented them on the success of their exhibition. Ho hoped it would do a great deal of good for tho town. Alost of the old land marks are gone. He agreed with the other spankers that there was a future for Westland, mainly in the dairying possibilities. He tbank-d them again for the kind hearing given. Hun J. Grinnnond AI.L.C. on behalf of the pioneers of the AYest Coast extended their hearty thanks for the re- v cognition of their services. They recognised when they iqjme here that the AA'est Coast was a part of New Zealand. and their desire was to make if a portion of the Britain of the south. They had done their part in the past, and it was gratifying to know their work had been recognised. Their motto was too help and light every wrong am! lo help every one who needed it. lie thanked them, one and all, for the kindly welcome and reference made. Air W. J. Butler said he would like to extend to the Rionccrs an invitation to luncheon in the Town Hall. The National Anthem by the Band concluded the proceedings.