HOKITIKA JUBILEE

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1934, Page 5

HOKITIKA JUBILEE

NWXT WEEK’S CELEBRATIONS Matters are now well in train for the opening of the Hokitika Jubilee, starting on Boxing Day (Wednesday next). Hokitika is to be en fete, and no doubt crowds will be drawn to the old mining town, which had such a stirring beginning, and which has now reached its seventieth birthday. The early history of the district has the romantic touch. Gold had its magic effect, as it has still, and the district is now entering after all these years on a further period of important mining development. During Carnival Week there will be a round of gaieties, particulars of which appear in this issue. There , will be special train arrangements | over all parts of the Westland section, including for special night fixtures, late trains to Greymouth and Ross. Following the opening of the race meeting on Boxing Day, Thursday of next week is set aside specially ns Pioneers’ Day, and a large gathering of old identities is expected. The town will be made gay with a monster procession, followed by an official luncheon. At night, Hokitika will be gaily lit, Revell Street being a particularly bright spot. Some of the buildings and memorial statues will be floodlit, and altogether the townspeople are making a special effort to mark a notable occasion. Durwig the week, athletic, cycling and : wood-chopping, sports will be .in progress, iii addition to the races; also a< swimming- carnival ; and an ; aerial display. The inauguration of the South Westland air mail service—the first in New Zealand and the cheapest in the , world —on the 31st instant, will be marked by a special ceremony. The old year will be seen out with a blaze of fireworks, for which the Fire Brigade is making special preparations. With socials and a fashionable Anniversary Ball, and much gaiety in the streets, the turning of the 70th year in the life of the early mining town of New Zealand which has figured so prominently in the business and political life of the colony, should I be well marked indeed. I