RECOLLECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 July 1933, Page 7

RECOLLECTIONS

THE MAYORAL CHAIR. Tell mo the talcs that to me are so dear, Of long ago, long ago, long ago. Bayly. 11l Charles Edward Button was the third Mayor of Hokitika, a foremost barrister of his time. Mr Button was in business for many years here, before removing to Auckland, where he attained considerable prominence, and for a time was an acting judge of 'the Supreme Court-. Mr Button had but one arm, he was born so, but in his forensic addresses lie- made good use of the remaining limb. He was also a pillar of the Presbyterian Church, and a preacher of some note. Mr Button resided where “Garston’ now stands, and was the type of citizen who are the salt of the earth. A capable man of large experience he must have been a useful mayor when the town was in the making, for he enjoyed a reputation for solid and sterling work. It will he seen that in the first years of its municipal life, the borough was well led by the occupants of the civic chair. Mr Button occupied the post in 1869, by which time the flush of the gold rush was passing, though the town was still in the making, and amenities were called for.

The fourth mayor, covering the two years 1869 -1870, was Mr Samuel Boyle, a merchant, and again the town had a capable man at the head of affairs. Mr Boyle was an ardent advocate for the development of the district. He believed in its future auriferous prospects, he Wanted to encourage settlement, he favoured track and road making, and generally put forward a progressive policy for the town and district, indicating his alertness and recognition of the needs of the town to ensure progress.

In 1871, Hokitika had two mayors, Mr James B. Clark, merchant, in the first half, and Mr J. M. Higgin, chemist, in the second half. Both were active citizens, as will be gathered from the fact they they were elevated to so important a post in the town.' For 1872-73, William Todd was mayor. Mr Todd was another of the Presbyterian chain so prominent in the public- affairs of the town. /He was a very capable and popular auctioneer and much before the ; public, as sales by auction in those days were numerous, almost daily. Mr Todd’s locale was Wharf Street, where Paterson, Mitchel and Coy., have a store on the west side of the street. Mr Todd ultimately removed to Invercargill where he carried, on his business very successfully for many year. Some of h’s family still reside in the southern city, and <3o good service for th. e benefit of the community. Mr Todd was a man of considerable energy and of a happy disposition, and must have filled liis municipal task with every credit, for lie had all the equipment essential to that end. Mr Todd was a member also of the Provincial Council.

In 1874-75, another auctioneer oc-

cupied the post of mayor, in the person for Mr Francis C. Tabart, who was connected with the firm of Mark Bprot and Coy. Mr Tabart was a well known stock auctioneer, and conducted the weekly sales at Araliura over many years. He was quick and sharp in bis manner, but generally popular. Afterwards he moved; to Christchurch where he joined one of the leading firms of auctioneers and and stock agents. Some of his family take a leading part in philantrophic work in Christchurch, so that this well known name of the early days is still before the public. Mr Tabart was another member of the Westland Provincial Council, of which there is a photo in the Town Hall. Air McLean Watt Jack, still a. well remembered name here, was mayor of Hokitika over the years 1876-77. i Mr Jack was also connected prominently with the Westland County Council, apd was treasurer for a number of years. I-Ie was another of the prominent member of the Presbyterian community who played such a notable part in the history of the town. Mr Jack was of the firm of Sinclair and Jack, Builders and Undeitakers, and Mr Jack surviving his partner, carried on the business for many years in Bealey Street. The firm were the builders of the present Post Office, which in its day was a notable addition to the public buildings. The previous post office was a hurriedly built structure of the early days, small and altogether inadequate , for file volume of business. It stood nearby, where there is now a garden plot Ixosidc the Government Building. The new two storey building was used for telegraph work up stairs. As mentioned in the first article, there was a great volume of telegraphic work, due to this port being the point- of despatch for all oversea news brought by th© mail packets from Australia. There was a large staff of operators, and at one time a party of Italians, ! led by Air Cenci, a most expert foilsman, gave an assault-at-arms in the Luke .of Edinburgh theatre'a» a benefit for a local charity. ■ Writing of the tlireatre and. its connection with the Post Office, it .. is worthy of recall, that Mr Eva Vwho wa-s a leading postal official, , ,‘was ! called on at short notice hv a travelling company to take the captain’s; part in H.M.S- Pinafore, Gilbert and .Sullivan’s then new opera. Mr 1 Eva had an outsatiding voice and did' the part every justice. His action helped j the company out of a very serious difficulty.-. •••;.;

Recurring to Mr Jack, it said of him that, he was an enterprising citizen, and assisted where he could the many mining centres. Ho was associated with Air Bonar. oiitthe directorates of some of the . mining companies referred to previously. .As a. members of the Westland County Council, he represented the Jackson Bay Riding for several terms, and held the nositioii of County Chairman. Mr Jack was a happy family man, both sons and daughters growing to . manhood and womanhood and taking worthy places in the battles of life. (To he continued next Saturday;)