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Hokitika Guardian, 2 March 1929, Page 4

Turkic appears to be a general chorus of approbation from the visiting fire-

men in regard to their treatment during their stay in Hokitika. The spirit rtf hospitality seems to conic natural lyally t> Coasters. Id is a rel.e of llij. old mining days when pioneer had to lean on pioneer, and the habit has never loomed off. Sharing a meal or a bed was not an uncommon act in the early, days when the new chum happened along, and sought advice and a shake down for the next day’s tramp.

. i. it would appear, our hospitality is an inherited trait, and the credit for it all is due to the men who have gone before, the pioneers who made the Coast habitable. Our town is nit large; our pretentious are not great, but the people live in an atmosphere created by the past and unspoiled by any overwhelming arrival of fresh people who are without knowledge of the past we are really all so proud of. F-r it was a great achievement to come to the densely wooded West Coast, a trackless land with m aintain torrents at every few miles, and rescue it from nature for man’s habitation. Teose early pioneers had their regard, and the country profited from their picturesque spirit. The gold rush peopled New Zealand at ■ the outset, and the influx of people gave a value to the land and its produce. The lucky miners in many instances drifted to other parts of the country, and founded and commercial undertakings which are flourishing today. The Cmst lies played a great part in that respect, for it laid the fortunes of many capable men of the early days who have left their mark on New Zealand in so many avenues, ino present generation is very pry id of that record and is zealous to maintain the good name of the district in all things honourable. So, when visitors come amongst us, singly, by tens or hundreds, it is felt a privilego to to do in a modest, way all that can he done to make the stay a pleasant one, and perhaps impress the visitors with a desire to come again. The United Fire Brigades Association was with us as far hack as 1895, and has been with us at intervals since then. Those visits are rememberd pleasantly, and when the 1929 visit was mooted the invitation was accepted. For over three decades the little town has thus been connected with the work of firemen, and there is not a. little pleasure in the feeling that our relations have been so ultimately sociable. Lacking any great pretentions, we are conscious of our shortcomings. In asking consideration in that respect we 'can only plead that the best lias been done, while nil lias been done in a spirit of goodwill. The honor done the town in coming here has been appreciated greatly, and there lias been the effort to live no to what was expected of ns, always desiring at the same time to do the very host that could he done within cur limitations to make the visit the useful success it should ho.