The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY. JUNE 39, 1928. THE MUNICIPALITY.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY. JUNE 39, 1928. THE MUNICIPALITY.

At the very pleasant, personal tribute to the Mayor (Mr G. A. Perry) and lii.s good lady on Wednesday evening, Mr W. J. Jeffrie-, Deputy-Mayor, who presided gave some- mtere.sfiu.g facts about tlie birth of the municipality. The information supplied the history of the town in connection with the inception ot local government in Hokitika, and opened lip a very interesting page of achievements. Hokitika ranks among the earliesit of municipal organisations in New Zealand, having been created a Municipal District on June sth. 18li5. under Lhe provisions ot the M 1111icip1.il .Ordinance. Hokitika was first, settled in 1804. when there was a recorded population of 150 souls. Bv IBGG the population is said to have jumped to 10,000, with another 50.01)0 within reach, and ol whom Hokitika was then centre. It was in 1800 that the highest yield of gold was obtained here, the official figures being gold to the value ol £2,140.910. 4 ho following year a’so the value of the yield was over two millions, and thereafter became a declining quantity till 187 G. when tho export was £531,276. From 1804 to 1870. however, the total gold yield for tlie twelve years was £13.409.(00. It is interesting to note that from 1801 to 1870 the gold field ot Otago was £14,075,757. When the first municipal election was held here on October 3rd. 1800, the franchise must have been a very restricted one. Mr Ilungerl’ord, who headed the pell had a score of only OS votes. Two candidates tied with 47 votes each for seventh place, and on another election, Air E. L. Clarke won by a margin of four votes. The town was fortunate with its line of .Mayors from tho early days. Several gentlemen who presided here, went later to other parts of the colony and made their mark. Mr Evan Prosser became one of the principals of the well-known (inn of Kcniplhorne, Prosser and Coy. Mr V. E. Button was an acting Judge of the Supremo Court. Air William. Todd became a prominent citizen of Invercargill and Air E. C. Tabari a wellknown figure in the civic history of Christchurch. Writing of .Municipal life in Hokitika, a chronicler says that ‘‘on the whole it was quiet and sedate. Good work was’ done in many channels, and there was little dissatisfaction with the representatives of the people, although at times no doubt a little more enterprise would have hoem a benefit to the town.” Sir Geo. Grey, who visited Hokitika in ISfu said: “I find around me a thriving a.nd populous town, which has suddenly sprung into existence, ail energetic population already cultivating the soil, and signs of progress and prosperity on everv side.” Sir Charles Rilke. a great Englishman, was here on tour, and he, too. has an opinion to express: “The Hokftikians flatter themselves that their city is the most rising place 011 earth, and it must lie confessed that if population alone is to bo regarded, the rapidity of its growth lias been amazing. San Fra-ncieseo did not rise so fast, and 'Melbourne not much faster.” By ISG7 Hokitika was in all its glory. The roughness of the “rush” period had passed, and the inhabitants. says another chronicler, “had settled down into n God-fearing and generous community.” Bir Julius Aon Haast has written most interestingly of early Hokitika, as of his venturesome trips up and down ihe Coast, and his impressions would be well worth reproducing in ivook form as giving a very intimate history of those early days in “picturesque Westland.” as lie described the territory. Hokitika he regarded as “a lovely place, for he had an eye for its scenic seating with the Southern Alps in the background. Hereabouts he found “tho sublime in nature.” Also he has recorded: “I am amongst a grand people now—open-hearted, hospitable and

spontaneous.” .Much more could be reproduced of this interesting topic, but our space is gone. 'The type of the people of the early days remains the same, and as .Mayor Ferry has said, Hokitika is a good place to live in. That was spontaneous confirmation oT Haasl’s opinion of sixty years ago, and tliat the opinion is still true is alike creditable to the town and to the |>eople of the present day municipality.