The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1928. EARLIEST HOKITIKA.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1928. EARLIEST HOKITIKA.

Hokitika came into being in the latter mouths of 1861. On Ist. October of that year it is recorded the late John It. Hudson, of Revell Street, who had crossed the Te rein ale an Saddle with tlio late James Price (afterwards Signalman here), arrived here—then called “Okntikn” —and erected the first store or'building. In “Banking Under Difficulties, ’’ Mr G. 0. Prosha w, the pioneer banker of the Coast, records his arrival here on lltli. November, 1861, and refers to Hudson and Price being established, Hudson in charge of the store, and Price the packer. They drew their supplies from Greymouth. Adjacent to the store, was another calico building occupied by the late Walter Ramsay and party. Air Ramsay afterwards 'became established here ms a saddler. On 20th. December 1864, Captain Leech with the s.s. Nelson, arrived with the first passengers, and there was a rush for allotments. By that time Air Revell, of Canterbury Province, had arrived, and sections with lOfect frontage were readily taken up. From this circumstance we get the name of the main street of the town. Sir Julius Von liaast has written most interestingly of earliest Hokitika. His impressions are recorded at considerable length, not only of the town, but of his wonderful travels up and down the Coast, to say nothing of his canoe explorations up the rivers. Sir Julius, then plain Von Hnast, arrived here on 21st. April, 1860, and he was surprised so large a place could have sprung up in so short a time. He found the town itself built practically on the sea beach, and a main street, half a mile long, with brinks, hotels, shops and dwellings. He records it was “a scene of almost indescribable bustle and activity.” He also noted the magnificent and extensive mountain view visible from the sea beach at Hokitika. Another early visitor said : “A lovely place this H kitika. ... I have an idea that, after all, this- West Coast is the place to come tor scenery.” Sir Charles Dilke, a well-known Englishman, who was here in 1866, writing an account of a world tour, devoted a whole chapter of twelve pages to Hokitika-—the rest of New Zealand occupied but thirty- j eight. Sir Charles gives some record of the population. At the end of 1864 it was 830, in April 1860 it was 7000. by September 16,000 and by the end of 1866 the estimated population was 50,000. Early in 1867 “the city” was in all its glory. Westland, including Hokitika, was part of Canterbury Province, and so administered. Commissioner Sale arrived here in April, 1860, to manage the appendage of Canterbury. In the following year, the Coast had five representatives on the Provincial Council of Canterbury, two of whom were representative of Hokitika. In 18CS the County of West-land) was established aj a provisional and temporary measure due to the strong agitation for “separation” from Canterbury On this new body, Hokitika again had two representatives. The first public body on the Coast was the Hokitika Improvement Committee on which many leading citizens acted. The Hokitika Borough Council was formed originally under an ordinance in 1866. On October 3rd of that year the first election took place, and the following were elected, Mssrs R. E. Hungerford, J. A. Bonar. C. Williams, J. 11. Anderson R. E'celesfield, C. Shaw, J. Fitzsimmons, A. Camming and F. L. Clarke. Hon J. A. Bonar became the first M«yor. occupying the position till 1868, when the Municipal Corporations Act came into force, and the Hokitika Borough Council was gazetted as a Borough on the 24th. August 1868, today being the diamond jubilee of thatevent in looal history.

Such, in brief, is the outline of the earlist history of Hokitika. In the span of sixty years between, we are able to measure the results. Sixty years ago this was a veritable El Dorado, mid a centre where all the roving world made for. Tho gold discovery on the Coast, and its rich yield in tin's quarter, played a great part in ar->-sisting to people Now Zealand, and lay tho foundation for its future greatness. It was a time when there was feverish haste to win wealth. Many hundreds must have done so, for this was the laud of tho golden west. The value of gold produced on the Coast frocu. 1864 to 1870 was £10,292,783, so it can be- understood how quickly “piles” were made. But though there was all this wealth rolling round, the citizens of Hokitika in those days were not unmindful of their citizenship. Wo have seen how an Improvement Committee took up local government here, and out of it grow ordered civic government There were men of vision r.t the head of affairs in those days. Tt would bo an omission on such an anniversary as this not to pay a tribute to those responsible for the laying out of tire town of Hokitika. It was well endowed with reserves for every public purpose or utility. And the men who had to administer the municipality were no less keen. They were responsible for much good work in providing amenities for traffic. Roads appeared quickly as required, and civil necessities sprang up. There were divisions in public- opinion, and often heated argument. Tho Council which took office .sixty years ago, had its difficulties. Recalcitrant ratepayers questioned the right of the new Council to recover arrears un recovered by the former Council. There was debate and confusion aliout the election of the second Mayor and adjournments and consultations with the legal adviser. But time helped to heal all these difficulties and the new Council set about its legislation duties. Tho men of those days were imbued with the pioneering spirit, and came of good stock who created a right if keen spirit in the conduct of municipal affairs. Now after many years, the names of the founders of Hokitika are being held in esteem. More should really be known of those earliest days when our town had to bo hewn out of the forest, streets made, and settlement established. It must have been a wonderful spirit—tlicj. pioneering spirit—to bring folk far across the seas in tho small ships of those days. There was a difficult if not dangerous landing for those who came by the sea. Others found their way overland—often more treacherous still because there wan no defined road. Some adventurous spirits came hero by open boat round from Bluff—the most hazardous route of all. 'file spirit and energy shown tn their migration became part of their life here. New homes had to be built, a fresh life begun, and in novel ami altogether unusual surroundings these pioneers created Hokitika for what it was worth, and laid the foundations m which the people of to-day are standing. Down through the rears the Municipal life of the town lias gone on. Of the long line of Mayors only two survive—the existing Mayor and Hon Mr Michel. There are many names of early pioneers in the list of past Mayors. Each filled the post with zeal and energy. In times past there were keen contests for the Mayoralty, the annual contest being a special feature of municipal life. Nowadays Hokitika has made n choice it i's jealous to retain, and oar Mayor holds tlie seat unassailed and unassailable. Much honour and credit is due to tlie Mayors of the past. ’ In Mr Michel there is a notable example of one who did not spare himself in the civic service, and lie is still interested greatly in municipal progress. Very few exOotmcillors are with us. Many have crossed the Divide, othes have gone elsewhere. Of the pioneer band, Mr IV. A. Thompson alone remains. He was an active and energetic Councillor when municipal matters took on a livelier a.ir than they do to-day. When public works were in hand, on a considerable scale there was great interest in the work of the Council, and Mr Thompson was a very active member in those sterling times when the chairmanship of the Works Committee was a coveted post. All honour to. those who served so well and faithfully in tbt past. ’

There is. however, another link with the past, and that is the steady scheme of development going on in the Borough. Year by year we see the amenities of tiie place improved. The evolution is i>erhaps not as fast as many nfight wish, but there are always financial limitations. So far as general necessities are concerned, the town is not unduly served in the main civic necessities. Roads and footpaths are being improved. A valuable water supply has been provided. The drainage is being improved. A valuable water supply lias been provided. The drainage is being improved. Street lighting is satisfactory, and considering the size and population of the town it is not lacking in essentials. The earliest Councils had a crop of troubles to contend with. A rapidly growing town required much to he done for it. as dan the limitations of time, looking back, one can only marvel at what was done. The task is far from finished. Hokitika has passed through busy and bright times, has weathered slumps and changes iii fortune. Untoward visits by the sea and devastating fires have played their part in checking progress, hut not in damping the optimism of the citizens. There is a feeling that the town is oil an upward grade again. The surrounding districts are more solid than ever they were. The pastoral tracts are yielding their wealth in season. The forest wealth is there to crop year by year, for many a year to come. We are on the eve of what promises to lie a flax development epoch. It is on the cards, too, that wood-pulping will lie established somewhere in this neighbourhood. Wining is far from a memory of the past. Important developments are ahead. The

glorious scenery, first chronicled by Haast in the sixties, is still there in all its pristine beauty, and for all time will be a world attraction for the touring traveller and the mountaineer. Tbe dlistriot’s share ns a tourist resort must become an increasing quantity, for here is a natural wonderland which stands unrivalled for all its wonderful variey and glory. So there is no occasion to he in doubt about the future of Hokitika as a centre of importance —and a growing centre as its destiny works out. Future Municipal Councils will have their Share to do in steadily advancing the civic standard of the town, and keeping it abreast of the over improving times.