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Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1931, Page 4

The four gentlemen who spoke at the dredge launching ceremony on Wednesday afternoon—Messrs Perry, Ward, Murdoch and Butler—were all very familiar with the early mining history of the district. Mr Murdoch referred to the fact that we- were now in the fiftieth year since tlie Rimu “rush” Both he and Mr Butler were oil the goldfield, and at the workmen's gathering later, the latter had a tale or two to tell of early Rimu. The early band of pioneers .associated with the “rush” days of Rimu. is fast disappearing, but Mr Murdoch lias keen recollections of many incidents. and Mr Butler was probably tlie first sawmiller on the field. The Rimu “rush” was the last of tlie major “rushes” on the Coast, though the Seddon’s Terrace “rush,” in the neighbourhood came some eight years later. Scddon’s Terrace was practically an eastern extension of the Binin field, as the dredging operations to-dav are a western extension also. The christening of Seddon’s Terrace was the outcome of a

general election incident when 51 r Sod do n an,] Mr Grimmoud were op-

ponents for the Westland seat. The “rush” broke out during tlie political contest, and it was given out that Mr Grimmoud was to christen tli;> field at a certain time, and it was to be called G: immond's Deed. .Mr Scdd.ni was at .Aralmra when, he learned of this programme, and lie made a detour to tlm field by way of Blue Spur, and reaching Woodstock, learned Mr Grimmond wisat Rimu making prep nations for the christening. 51 r Seddun and his friends, therefore, went up by way of Back Creek, and reached the prospector’s claim abend of the other party Mr Seddon had brought Die necessary liquid refreshments to mark the occasion, and gathering as many diggers about him as he could in tlie time, duly performed the cloistering, naming the field Seddon’s Terrace. The party then moved Himiiwards only to meet Mr Grimmoud and party on tin- bush track, ami goal mitured chaffing passed between tlie candid,ate-,. Mi Grimmum!, however, bad the wherewithal for a christen fug ceremony also, and be duly named the field Griinmond’s Lead. A few days later the election was decided in Mr .Seddon’s favour, and as the reigning member, the field retained bis name, although be is said, lie was not too popular at the outset with tlie Rimu miners. He knew it and standing on a stump alongside the main road, lie opened his political address thusly: “Its a good cock who fights gamely off liis own dutigliill. 1 ’ That allusion ciiiight trite imagination of the miners, and imist have won hifii many votesj for he whs always welcomed in Rimu thereafter.