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Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1928, Page 2

A subscriber enquires as to the diamond'jubilee date for tbe Hokitika Borough. Turning up the records we find that the Borough of Hokitika was constituted on 24tli. August. 1868, some five weeks and a half later than Gre.vmouth, constituted on 16th. July of the same year. For purposes of convenience, Greymouth has moved the anniversary .period forward, and at the latter end of next month will begin a week’s festival in honor of the diamond jubilee year. Hokitika has not considered its celebration, or the form of it, But it would not be out of place I for the authorities to give the matter j

sonic attention Sixty years ill the life of tlie town marks ail important epoch, and is worthy recognition. A suggestion made by the subscriber referred to above, was that an effort should be made to collect copies of publications bearing on the early history of tho town and district, and retain them as a reference for future students ol Const history. The suggestion is a good one and should be acted upon either by the Borough authorities or through the Public Library Committee. At the same time it might be possible to secure photographs or pictures of early Hokitika with a view to obtaining a very interesting record of tin early days. A jubilee period supplies opportunities for research of this nature, and any record which can be made with regard to the birth of Hokitika would be most interesting lor historical purposes. The present generation wim a knowledge of the fading past could well perforin the duly suggested and would provide a work of great value in time to come. History is entertaining always, and the record of the rapid rise and early conditions of Hokitika and district, should provide a story of surpassing interest. Too approaching occasion should, therefore, be made the most of, and the result should be a very interesting record of the early days when events moved so quickly. Mr A. .1. Harm]), in his interesting work “The Romance of Westland’’ did Hokitika no mean service by the record he compiled of the early history. Indeed his , special chapter with regard to the town mid impressions lie reproduces of early visitors to the town, are not the least interesting of the publications. Hokitika certainly stood out as something of a wonder town, so remarkable was its growth in the early stages of the gold rush. It is a storv worth retelling, and recalled it will not lose its familiar interest. The compilation of special nuttier as a permanent record of the early history might therefore bo included in any special arrangements organised to mark the jubilee of the town and district.