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

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1927, Page 2

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

Firi’Y years in the life of an individual or an institution, is a memorable span, ’this week the Westland County Council is marking its existence as a local body for fifty years of usefulness, with a celebration. The occasion is worthy of recognition. It is an interesting milestone which is now being passed. And there is time to pause and look hack over the live decades since local government was taken up ill a very practical wav by the community. The wheels have run well and truly over the period. Men have come and gone, each and all serving the people faithfully, and the general record has been altogether creditable to those, who shouldering the responsibility, have served the people unselfishly throughout the life of the County Council. Some notable men in local government have served on the local body and assisted to lay the foundations of a system which has given the people a very useful form of local control of their own affairs. Of those who served in the first Council, all have passed away, hut their memories with their works remain. The names of the first Council which held its first meeting on the 4th. January, 1877, were:-—Bichard John Seddon, John MeWhirter. Joseph Beale, Henry T.eo Bobinson. Francis Dale. John MeGaffin. Rudolph Hirtcr, James Coles, Joseph Collver. The name of Mr Seddon is the most outstanding of the nine for he rose to the first position in the land, and as Premier of New Zealand was outstanding as a national leader whose patriotism and works will keep his memory fresh in the minds of the Empire, while British history is recorded. Air Bobinson, Mr MeWhirter, Mr Dale, Air Hirtcr served for long periods in local government, shouldering the responsibilities of office with enthusiasm, and helping to build up the County structure as we know it to-day, and the people of these times enjoy the fruits of the labors of the public men who worked so zealously in the past decades. While the members of the first Council have all passed away, it is very interesting to recall that their sons are still with us. Locally there are representatives of Messrs Seddon, Robinson, Dale and Coles, while in other parts of New Zealand are representatives of Alessrs ArcW,hirtcr. Beale, and Hirtcr. The link with the past is still very intimate and helps to sustain local interest in a very pleasing commemoration. The Westland County Council may lie regarded as the most important local body in the district. It is certainly the the largest in area in the Dominion. It is something to the credit of the Council and the district, that from its ranks came the foremost Premier 'of New Zealand. Air Seddon was a member of the Westland County Council when he became a Cabinet Minister, re-

signing from the Council only when appointed Minister of Public Works. Ho did great service for the people, both in local and general government, and the striking statue of this really big man in government affairs which was erected to Ids memory, is well placed in this town. 11 1 0 Council has had its difficulties during its existence—what local body lias not? But weathering all storms, it exists to-day active in the discharge of its manifold duties. Within the fifty years many changes have been made in local government, for the duties arc increasing always, but time brings its care or allovintion. and the system keeps on running despite the difficulties. That happy condition is a tribute to the men who have come after, the men who like their predecessors are doing their duty faithfully and well that local government fnay be the useful factor it is in local progress.