ON THE WEST COAST

Hokitika Guardian, 18 November 1930, Page 2

ON THE WEST COAST

THE GOOD OLD MINING DAYS. (Napier Telegraph). An address of great interest was delivered by Air C. E. Pfeifer at last week’s luncheon of the Napier Rotary Club, presided over by Chief Rotariai, T. M. Geddris. Mr Pfeifer’s address dealt with tin early days of gold mining on the A\ est Coast and his descriptions of the conditions pertaining in those times wer most realistically presented. In commencing his address Mr Piei for referred to the coach journeys ii the olden days prior to the advent o< motors. These coaches were -driven by very experienced drivers r.nd fine teams of horses, especially strong teams being necessary for the crossing o 1 streams and gorges. The teams travelled very last and the work o, driving them was very trying, with sometimes 1099 feet drops a few feet away from the wlmels. It was a wonderful sight to see the drivers handling the teams oF horses, going down steep gorges at a gallop. MANY GOLD FINDS.

Referring to Hokitika the speaker said that it was hard to realise th" grand sights witnessed in the 69’s wbe there were many teatas of horses and coaches in the main streets at the sam® time. Hokitika was connected with the earliest days of pioneering in New Zealand. There were many gold finds there and with the rush the town soon became a place of 45,000 inhabitants. Boats came from distant places and many miners and prospectors from Australia, where the mines were not goingquite so well. As time proceeded bui.-L ing was commenced anyhow, the buildings being placed wherever the people thought fit. A good many of these were betels and others dance houses. The -dances were well conducted and there was no such thing as immorality in the dance houses. Hokitika in these days was the first port of call for English mail steamers and also last port of call, indicating that its importance was very considerable. The same cpnditions .pf excitement also broke ; out at Kmmara, where, however,, the gold supply soon petered out. , , LATE MR SEDDON. Mr Phifer referred to'the great work of the late Mr Richad ’John Seddon among, the miners on the AVest Coast. He was well loved bye ( all,,and never forgot (he miners who were responsible for putting him in Parliament and once a. year, he would gather the old miner?- together and impres.s upon the children ’ .the ■ great.work of ‘ their fath-

ers. Another important spot was that of Goldsborough, which was iSow more or less deserted, despite the presence of one or two old miners who gaze upon tiro scene of their former triumphs and failures. • There were many desArtoa places which had*all passed tjpm'gh prosperity to poverty, though m many places there weije ’still a few working. METHOD OF WORKING. In those, days, continued the speaker, the principal method of mining was by. sluicing, rain, water being almost universally used. There was plenty of water as it rained a lot m those day's. Another method was by the cradle, the payable strata being gradually moved in the cradle unti the gold-was separated from the valueless rock. . Referring to the scenery, Mr Pfeirer said that from Hokitika the most beautiful sights could be obtained oi snow-capped mountains and virgin bush There were many beautiful rivers anc creeks near Hokitika, one of which consisted of black water which ga\ e a mirror effect. The effect of the setting sun on the Southern Alps, wheii the rata tree is in bloom,’ was a sight that would nevei be forgotten, continued the speakei, the effect being to send a purple glow over the whole of the ranges. Most beautiful sights were also to be found in the glaceir regions of the Alps. At the conclusion of his address, on the motion of Rotarian J. H. -Edmondson, the speaker was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks. An address on tlie same subject, but containing far more details, is to be given bv Mr Pfeifer to-morrow evening to the Philosophical Society’s meeting.