The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4. 1927. THE COUNTIES’ JUBILEE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 4. 1927. THE COUNTIES’ JUBILEE.

Dtritixc this week many of the Counties throughout New Zealand are celebrating their golden jubilee. The Counties Act, was passed in 187<J, and in the month of January of the following year several of the Counties sprang into lieing. To-day is actually the anniversary of the establishment of the Westland County Council, as it is also of the Bailor County Council. Celebrations are .proceeding at Westport to-day, hut the. Westland commemoration has been deferred for a fortnight so as to clear the holiday festivities. However, as referring to the birth of the Westland County, we reprint to-day an. article from the West Coast Times of JO years ago. giving an outline of the hopes and aspirations in regard to the establishment of County Government in New Zealand. The article is interesting as a resume of public opinion five decades ago when local government in the colony was in its infancy. Much water has gone down the river since then, and there have been many changes. Yet the main features and the spirit oT County Government. still remain. There have been additions rather than subtractions to the duties and obligations of the local bodies. The system of election in regard to Hidings still remains, but there lias been some widening of the franchise. In 1876 when the Counties Act was passed first, there were (53 Counties, to-day there are 123 Counties. Westland actually had an earlier County system in 187 C. when separated from the Province of Canterbury but Westland was not satisfied with that status, and agitated till a provincial system of government was established here on the" Const. That was followed, after a brief period by the county system which became universal throughout New Zealand. It will he noticed from the article reprinted from the West Coast Times today, that the first meeting of the Westland County Council was held in the Supreme Courthouse. It is interesting to recall that the edifice is still in existence- and still doing duty for the community. The building has very many historical .associations. It is now known as the Soldiers’ Hall, where last week Iving Jazz held high court. As the Supreme Courthouse, it has done duty for many public functions, from Governor’s levees down. Many notable trials have lieen held in the building, and there are other associations with the structure which made it practically the oldest > and best preserved of our old time structures. It was built to the design of “King” Sale, practically on the lines of a Canterbury wool shed Mr Sale is said to have seen when making his way to the Coast. Be that as it may. it has been a most useful building for Hokitika all through the years, and its service now is of special value. With this digression we may conclude our reference to the Counties’ Jubilee by expressing thanks and gratification for the good work performed by the long line of public men who as members of the County Council all vied with each other in the effort to do their best for the general advancement. Local government has given good results and will continue to do . sq so long as the same worthy citizen j

spirit is displayed by tliosc who are called to servo on the local bodies.