70 YEARS AGO

Grey River Argus, 14 August 1937, Page 6

70 YEARS AGO

Greymouth in 1867 HOKITIKA v. GREYMOUTH. [From the “Argus” Files]. “We are not at all surprised that our Hokitika contemporary the “West Coast Times,” should object to the people of this district daring to think for themselves on the question of Separation. It is naturally annoying for our Hokitika friends to find that we of Greymouth do not at once take up the cue they have given us and meekly follow the dictates of that high-sounding body “The Westland Separation League.” The “West Coast Times,” however, has taken a very mistaken ground of argument in supposing that the people of the Grey are actuated simply by local jealousy in pursuing a course different from that adopted by the Hokitika League. It may suit our contemporary to thus misrepresent the motives of this disrtict but it must know that accusation is not true. It is simply false to assert that petty local feeling is the prime mover of the agitation here for annexation to Nelson. The desire to become part of that Province is not a new whim or “crotchet ’ as our contemporary wishes it to be believed.. . .Our contemporary is incorrect in stating that pains were taken by the League to secure the cooperation of Greymouth. No effort of the kind was made, although we do not suppose it would have made any difference if there had been... They knew well enough that the idea of annexation to Nelson was universally popular throughout the district —and indeed had supporters in Hokitika itself... .Were the latter place swept into the sea to-morrow, no inconvenience would be pccasioned except to its own immediate district. Still less are we willihg to consider Hokitika the centre of political thought. It may be and probably is, the centre of political intrigue and ambition, and we are content to let it remain so.—The “Argus” in its leader of August 13, 1867.

Hokitika Doings: August 10th: There is a great scarcity of coal in Hokitika just now, and the price is exceedingly high. Our Hokitika contemporary states that the sea is making terrjble encroachments at the back of Beac i Street, and the Empire right-of-way. Where the extensive stables of Messrs Cobb and Coy. once stood is now part of the beach, which at high tide, is covered with water, which now washes up to the back of Mr Dixon s residence on the other side of right-of-way.

Bad Weather: . Rude Boreas has certainly visited this district severely during the past week. A deluge of rain, followed by the hardest frost experienced for some time have united to constitute about as thoroughly inclement weather up to yesterday as any one could expect in worse latitudes than ours. The rain, which fitfully assumed the form of half frozen snow, ceased on Thursday afternoon, and was followed by a change of wind from S.W., to N.E. which blew cold and biting through the gorge from the snow-clad ranges beyond. Yesterday morning the ground and house-tops were white with frost, the pools of water being covered with a thick coating of ice, while the low range immediately contiguous to the town had a mantle cf snow, which quickly disappeared before the rays of the morning sun. The coal-mine range was ccveiw '* si cw all day. Snow fell heavi.y on all the high grounds on Thursday, anu at Maori Gully the inhabitants Avere able to have a regular set-m a . snowballing. Yesterday was a co I ibrilliant winter’s day, the heavei were almost cloudless, whilst the ai!l* was sharp and bracing. La , g there was another strong frost. Sea Erosion: The sea during the last week has continued to make rapid encroachments on the South Beach, especially near the head of the Lagoon, the intervening bank being now reduced to very small proportions. A gap has been made through which the surf at high tide runs in to the Lagoon, and should the process of demolition continue, it is possible that the sea may make an entrance into the Lagoon. Wreck: The old wreck of the Sisters which has lain so long on the Okarito South Beach, has at length been broken up by the heavy sea on the beach during the last few days. This old craft, the first vessel from Melbourne direct to this port, took some six weeks to come round from Melbourne, was knocking about off the port for another fortnight, then had to wait two or three months for a wind to take her out; when she got ashore in the attempt; and with the continued determination to take time over everything, has taken about ten months to break up.

Haast Population: Mr Frederick Green, agent for the steamer Bruce, writes to the “West Coast Times,” stating that in his opinion there is no ground for apprehension that there is any destitution at the Haast as when the Bruce left on the 16th ultimo, the diggers had stores to last them more than a month. The population has since dwindled down to about thirty souls. Correct Behaviour: Greymouth must be getting wonderfully correct in its behaviour, as there has not been a single case of “drunk and disorderly” brought before the Magistrate all this week, while there has been an equal immunity from other offences. Taking this into consideration with the absence of cases in the District Court, Greymouth occupies rather a unique position as a gold fields town. August 13th: There was only one police case at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday —a solitary drunkard, who was let off with a fine of 10s. Verily Greymtfuth is fast becoming a model of proprietry. Valuable Cargo: August 13th: In addition to the 20,000 ozs. of gold from this port, the Claud Hamilton shipped 8,400 ozs. at Hokitika, thus making her total freight of treasure one of the most valuable that left this coast. Rich Returns:

The “abandoned ground” on the South Beach still affords rich returns to those who are able to bring the necessary appliances to bear upon it. I We learn that Borker and Coy., the proprietors of the "Golden Empire j Claim,” have recently washed up 27!) ozs. of amalgum. They have lots of

ground and having brought in a race from Jackson’s Creek, four miles long, they have an abundant supply jf water for ground sluicing. Their average earnings are stated to be from £l2 to £l5 per week. The Canoe Creek diggings appear to richly reward the men at work there. Some short time ago a parcel of 750 ozs. was sold by a single party from that locality, and now the same claim holders have just sold 288 ozs. to the Bank of New South Wales. Several other parties are busy wash-ing-up large parcels.