70 YEARS AGO

Grey River Argus, 6 August 1937, Page 6

70 YEARS AGO

Greymouth in 1867 _1 PUBLIC AFFAIRS. (From the “Argus” riles.) “As usual Greymouth fully sustained its reputation for interest in public affairs by allowing the meeting a separation, convened for Saturday evening, to lapse for want of a sufficient attendance to warrant the promoters of the meeting in initiating any business,” stated the leader in the “Argus” of August 6. “There is an old proverb and a very true one— Heaven helps those who help themselves, and it is quite clear that Jupiter will not assist us to drag the wagon of state which has stuck so lamentably in the mire of disorder’ except we will put our shoulders to the wheel.... Candidly we rather object to blow the pipes to folks that will not dance, but we will simply remind them that there is just this remote possibility—tnere may at some time be an enforced unanimity between them or us. They may weep bitter tears of regret whilst we mourn over golden opportunities wasted through indifference. August 3: We understand that his Honor the Superintendent of Nelson accompanied probably by some members of the Council will shortly visit the West Coast with a view to making himself acquainted with their conditions and prospects. Hokitika Erosion:

Our Hokitika Contemporary says: It is really melancholy to see the havoc which has been made by the late high tides. Cobb and Co’s stables have been so much damaged, that it has been determined to remove them and this has probably now been affected. Several small tenements along the beach, at the back of Beach Street have either been washed away or have been pulled down and carrid away in order to save them. At the lower end of Beach Street the gravel road which was formed some time since by the corporation, has been washed away oy the action of the waves, the wharf protection has been laid bare, and the wharf Hotel is now inaccessible, the sand having been scoured out from beneath the piles on which the hotel is erected. The beach too is strewed with drift wood and quantities of rubbish.

Rise in Population: The improvement that has oeen steadily going on in the various upriver districts is becoming more conspicious every week. From almost every mining centre we learn tnat the population has sensibly increased and that a spirit of hopeful cheerfulness prevails. There being no escort service in the Grey District, we have no means of ascertaining the exact quantity of gold brought down trom the various diggings, but we have it on the authority of the banks that it is increasing every week. We have very good accounts of the Arnold District, the digging in that locality being unusually active ana prosperous. We have conversed with several persons from Maori Gull and the neighbouring workings, all of whom speak in the same satisfactory terms. The rush recently reported as having taken place to the Big River is said to be turning out well. A very good rush has occurred up the- New River a few miles from Card Bros. Store. The late rush on the North Beach, is turning out quite as well as was expected. Not much washing up has yet been done but the prospects in the various claims are very reassuring. We may remark that greater activity prevails generally throughout the Grey District and we trust the ensuing season will be a prosperous one.

Separation Meeting: August 6: The attempt to form a preliminary committee to promote the separation of the Grey District from the Province of Canterbury was unsuccessful on Saturday evening, there not being a suflicient number of persons present to constitute a meeting. The proceedings were consequently adjourned until this evening. We have only to repeat our request that all those who take any interest in the political welfare of the district will attend as we believe communications from the Hokitika League have been received which require some consideration and reply. The meeting will take place at the Albion Hotel at eight o’clock. The second meeting drew a moderate attendance, Mr. Masters being called to the chair. Mr. Harrison moved “That the separation of the Grey District from the Province of Canterbury is necessary and desirable.” The motion was adopted and a second motion “That steps be taken by the inhabitants to obtain the annexation of the Grey district north of the Teremakau to the Province of Nelson.” was also adopted. Further motions favouring co-operation with Hokitika and also asking that the district be placed under the control of the Central Government were carried. The .following were elected to the preliminary committee: Messrs Masters, Harrison, Dale, Wnall, Thomas, Heron, Simmons, Keogh, Comiskey, Procter, Leecy, Smyth, J. Kilgour, D. Maclean, William Kilgour, George Taylor, Hildebrand Hosie, Wickes, Nichol, Fisher, D. Macfarlane, G. W. Moss and J. Southern. It was decided that all resolutions be submitted to the public meeting later in the week. No Cases:

- We suppose we must regard it as a favourable sign that there is not a single case set down for hearing in the District Court to-day. His Honor, will however, sit to transact any formal business that may be brought before him.

Good Nugget: Some short time ago our up-river correspondent mentioned that some new ground had been opened up at the head of Moonlight Gully. One proof of the quality of the ground is afforded by z the fact that a few days ago Smyth and Party found a nugget of the, respectable weight of 38 ounces. This nice little sample is not yet in town, but is expected uuring the week. Successful Rushes:

August 6: Mr. Warden Lightband who was in town yesterday fully confirms the accounts we had previously received regarding the improvement in the diggings up-river. He informs us that the old mining districts of Nobles, Duffer’s and Nelson’s Creek are recovering their population in a remarkable manner.

Spare the Axe! Some person or person’s unknown have committed the vandalism of cutting down the tree which stood opposite the Royal Hotel in Richmond Quay. This solitary remnant of the forest, which once clothed the banks of the river, was rather an ornament

than an obstruction and might for many years have remained as an interesting mornento of the early days of the township.