The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1926. JUBILEE ANNVERSAREES.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 1926. JUBILEE ANNVERSAREES.

It was mentioned at the meeting ot the County Council this week that this year was the jubilee of the establish-

ment- of County Government as at present in vogue in Westland. The history of the Province in regard to local government would supply very interesting reading acre research to he made and the story developed in all its early stages. Originally AYestland was part of Canterbury, and was under the regime of the Canterbury Provincial Council. It was during that period iiie road connection east and west was built, and it must be said was built with remarkable celerity. Tbc officials of Canterbury who became intimately associated with Westland in those days were men of notable character who left their mark on Now Zealand history. Many of the names are embalmed in the street names of Hokitika, such names as Sale, Hail, Rovell, Weld, Cass, Tancred, and so on, all being the names also of Canterbury officials who were idenf' fied very directly with the early history of town and district. Ten years before County Government ns we have

it now. Westland County was represented on the Provincial Council of Canterbury by Messrs E. Barff and O. Tioos. They were notable names in tho very early days who figured very prominently in local politics. There v.ai however, a. very strong agitation against the alliance with Canterbury, and a separation movement was carried on very actively. One ol the main reasons for demanding the change was becauri? part of the West Coast goldtield was in Nelson province, and part (the Westland section) in Canterbury province. Creator community of interest in regard to local government was dcinamV'd and eventually won. In 1868 the first Westland County Council was created. This was a hod.v distinct from the local body created some eight years later. The first County Council had legislative powers, and .sat in rossion passing ordinances which had all the force and effect of law throughout the district; The Westland County repreentastives on that body were Messrs W. L. Rees (Tvanicri): C. Hons (Totnra) ; J. Clarke (Ariihurn) and E. Hard' (Oknrilo). Hokitika and Gre.vimiulh were iibu included in the County Council, Messrs J. A. Bonar and O. S. Sale representing the former and Messrs W. H. Harrison and H. N. Lehmann, the latter, while Don Dela.s Carreras represented Paroa district The chairmanship of that august hotly was worth .€6OO a year, and Mr C. Tioos, after much wrangling gained the position. The next phase was tho creation of Westland as a provino.'. the County system as practised, breaking down financially. The Provincial Council came into being in 187.'!, and Mr J. A. Bonar was .fleeted first and only superintendent, defeating three other candidates in a poll of about I, votes. The Westland County representatives elected to the Provincial Council were Messrs E. T. Robinson and S. Mitchell (Kanieri), R. J. Seddon and Af. Houlalian (Arahilra), l{. Canavan (Ross). Other districts represented wen.': Hokitika, Messrs J. White, E. Tnbnrt and W. Todd; Greymoutli, Mesrs H. H. Rahman, C. Woolcoek and E. Wiekes; Ross, Messrs H. Cuiiiming and J. MoGaffin; Paroa, Messrs A. R. tininess and I*. Dungaii. But towards the end of 1876, the provincial councils throughout New Zealand were abolished as sell-governing bodies, and County Government as we have it to-day.

came into existence. For fifty years since, the County form of administration has gone on, varying in details from time to time, hut the general principles on which it was founded havo continued, and to stand such a test of time in the differing conditions of New Zealand, indicate that, tinmeasure was well thought out. and the system v.?ry carefully devised. The AA estland County Council came into being when the Provincial Council was abolished. Grey County was separated from Westland, becoming a separate area, while the town of Hokitika had become a borough in October, 1866. so that this year is the diamond jubilee of tli? .Municipal Council, as well as the Golden Jubilee of the Count'Council. The two anniversaries fall within about three 'weeks of cadi other so that a joint celebration of the occasion would not be out of place. The two local bodies have such excellent records that so interesting a milestone in their record should not be passed unnoticed.