OLD WESTLAND

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 203, 20 April 1932, Page 6

OLD WESTLAND

LAUGHTER AND DANCING IN BALOONS OF EARLY DAYS'

The recent revival of gold mining in Westland has aroused widespread interest. Activities in various West Coast districts have awakened many vivid memories qn the rninds of those who took part in the early "rushes." These old-timers are full of the deeds of the "good old days." Now, in the evening of life, they spend much time in refiection upon the period when the West Coast was perhaps the busiest hive of industry in the young colony. Yast changes have taken place. One old gold miner in reminiscent mood had spoken frequently of the large number of hotels, or saloons, which were dotted about the countrys'de. To-day the saloon as it was then known, has almost disappeared. Hither the miner repaired when he came in from his claim. "The Wild West" of the cheap novel or the brightly-lit bar, the laughter of men well pleased with the cheaply decorated surroundings after days or weeks at their claims, the .curses of men "in their cups," the chatter of the dancing girls, crude music inevitable card games, and the not unconimon sight of small arms are recalled by tales of old West Coast publichouses. How different from the ordinary hotel bar-room of to-day! Statistics show that in the late 'sixties there were nearly 200 hotels or saloons in Westland. Hokitika alone had 93! The population of the town was then about 60,000, of whom 35,000 were miners. Yet with the great number of licenses the records state that "there was very little drunkenness among the people." Westland to-day has only 42 hotels, compared with 129 in the earlier days. Greymouth still has 21 licensed houses and Hokitika 14. Other townships which boasted several saloons are now but settlements, some w:th a solitary license. Others are "dry." Stafford, which at one time had 28 licensed houses, is to-day the centre of a no-license district.