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Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1930, Page 4

Ox T such an annivepsarv as to-dnv thoughts of the early daws crowds in. In the “fat’’ years of the gold mining days, the district produced over twenty-five million pounds worth of cold. When under Canterbury, the road from. Christchurch to Hokitika was put in hand. History records that to open up Canterbury the road had reached Ca.ss already. There remained sixty miles to Hokitika to complete the connection. Tit iB6O, £20.009 was voted by 'Canterbury Province for tile work and within ei--rb-t-en months the road was through! Cold was the made metal to create this interest and enthusiasm, the first recorded discovery boiim in the, Peremeknu Valiev in 1863. Folk began to arrive in Hokitika in WAt, and by the following vpnr the “rush”, was in full end the gold returns fully justified all +lmt was rronosed to open u.p the conntrv. On «ueh an occasion as an anniversary it is fitting to acknowledge the spirit and sacrifice of the phmeers. Manv won great wealth, but not a few foiled and went away empty-handed. The toll of life was heavy. Risks were e* r °r present and accident numerous. Medical aid was remote. But the “rush” went on 1111ftaggiugly. and the toll of life was large. Many on unknown perished unrecorded on the perilous journey overland from Otago and Canterbury, but the p : oneerin,g spirit was rampant, and so the peopling of the district went ahead. Even r good report brought fresh arrivals, till thonsards were established where a year before there was but a handful of men. In those stirring days the district was peopled mainly by very young men. Only +he active and robrjst could venture into the wild and difficult bush country, but they were' a remarkable band of men, and they left their mark and a. high degree of citizenship to pattern by. Of the names mentioned in the foregoing article, names such as those of Messrs Bouar, fsetidon and Guinness will be fami’mr to the older generations of tfi-dav. L« the '.early times of sixty years Ago. they were very young men imbued with tlm highest ideals of citizenship The towns and district were peopled by many such ns they, so that when the early pioneers are referred to, they may he remembered and recalled as a sterling band of pioneers well fitted for their self-imposed task o 1 * helping to establish a new centre in this distant part of the Empire. And they were a loyal and devoted band to the Queen of thoise days and their country. There was much to imitate in the spirit of the pioneers. Tlmir loyalty, put, courage and energy were b-yowl question. They had faith m the future of this new land. Wnat of our faith to-day, and are we supporting tl at faith with worthy words. Ji times are difficult, they have not the hard shirs of the early times above which the pioneers rose superior. The best tribute we can pa-v to the memories of the pa.st is to rival them with deeds no less inspiring and strive r.s they did to make Westland great and greater still.