HIGH COST OF LIVING MILK 4/- PER QUART!

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 December 1934, Page 17

HIGH COST OF LIVING MILK 4/- PER QUART!

The population grew apace. Tn December, 1864, the figures given are 830. The following year it was 7,000 by April, and 16,000 in September. By the end of 1866, the population was estimated at 50,000, which no doubt included the surrounding mining centres. In 1867 the town was at its height, and was then well established in every way. Some splendid buildings existed in the principal streets. An official visitor in 1865 was Mr. W. Seed, the Collector of Customs. He reported enthusiastically on the gold discoveries. In the fortnight he spent at Hokitika, 5,600 ounces of gold were purchased by the banks, which would be only a fraction of the gold won in the period. He advocated the construction of the road Irom Christchurch, and the creation of a separate province for Westland for better government. Both suggestions came to pass in due season.

Another visitor who fell into raptures about Hokitika and its people was E. W. Pay ton, who published a story in later years of his impressions. Here is an extract: “Was it the ties of friendship that I found there? Or was it the grandeur and peculiarity of of the natural features of a country appearing in its isolation like a world of its own, that attracted me strongly? I cannot say; hut»l will look hack with i enthusiasm Io my stay in Westland!” The Rev. Mr. Buller, the pioneer of! the Wesleyan Church at Hokitika, took six days by horse to cross from Canterbury by the Teremakau route, fording the river twenty-six times. Speaking of Hokitika in early 1865, Mr. Bui- j ler says: “Nothing populates a waste, howling wilderness, like gold.” When j he proceeded to traverse the sea beach >to Hokitika he met a stampede of miners, the beach being alive with men and pack horse teams. At Hokitika River he found a mushroom sort of town. The forest reached to the water’s edge. Revell Street was a mile long—a succession of stores and hotels—the. latter so-called. The minister could not obtain a bed, so slept under a shop counter, and held his first service on Sunday, the bellman announcing the time. Shops were open for business on the day he preached, to serve the miners. On his second visit to Hokitika, Mr. Buller found a transformation to a permanent and prosperous town, enjoying all the advantages of an organised community-*-church, schools and other’ institutions, and Sunday was observed in due form. Archdeacon Harper, of the Anglican Church, arrived first by sea in October, 1866. The weather was perfect, and in his record of impressions he has left an interesting account of the view which presented itself. Bishop Harper’s records tell of the mountain journeys he made. He preached in the Corinthian Hall, the only building of any size at the time. He predicted that Hokitika would become a prominent town.

LIVING was dear in the eqrly days naturally, for supplies were costly to bring in. One report says that board was 50/- per week; and rents for small shacks £1 per week. Servants were scarce, and their keep was a consideration, due to high prices for supplies. In Hokitika, at the end of 1864, flour was 1/4 per lb; meat from 1/- to 2/6; milk 4/- per quart; washing 12/- per dozen. Vegetables were not on the menu, being unobtainable. There were discomforts also from mosquitos and sandflies, always marshalled fit great forces near swamp land and along the sea front. It is related, that at the time mentioned, fat bullocks sold at £75 a head, and sheep at £5 each. The stock was brought by the steamers, usually on deck, cargo being below, and risk was run by such transport, but the profit on safe deliveries ? * was highh.

Hokitika had the first Governors visit in 1867, when Sir George Grey toured the West Coast, and was accorded a wonderful reception and en-, tertained at a lavish banquet at the Theatre Royal. His far-seeing addresses made a great impression, and probably laid the foundation of the district attachment to Liberal principles, to which it adhered so loyally for many years. A record of the times says that as “the first Mayor Mr. J. A. Bonar, efficiently and gracefully filled the position in entertaining Sir George Grey.” ' „ Sir Charles Dilke, of English fame, was a visitor to Hokitika in 1867, travelling by the newly-opened road from Christchurch, and the scenery of the route entranced him. “The Hokitikians,” he said “flatter themselves that their city is the most rising place on earth, and it must be confessed that the rapidity of its growth was amazing. San Francisco did not rise so fast, and Melbourne not much faster.” A visitor from Otago at this time was enraptured by the climate, and the mildness of the air after the rigors of Otago. Hokitika was described as “a lovely place.” The bush and mountain scenery viewed from the harbour, was regarded as grand and inspiring. From the surveyors he gleaned parti- | culars of Mount Cook and the southern glaciers, and regretted his time did not | permit a lengthy stay. He said he was amongst a grand people—open-hearted, hospitable, spontaneous.

The Harbour Department of Hokitika at the outset was controlled by Harbourmaster Thomas Turnbull, the pilot being J. P. Allardyce. The harbourmaster at Grey was Thomas Coulson, and at Okarito, James Heron. The port health officer was _G. Lemming