1868-1928.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 August 1928, Page 2

1868-1928.

DIAMOND JUBILEE OF HOKITIKA BOROUGH COUNCIL SPECIAL COMMEMORATION MEETING. A special meeting was held in the Town Hall last evening at 8 o’clock to commemorate the Diamond .Jubilee of the Borough of Hokitika. There were present:—Alessrs G. A. Perry (.Mayor), J AV. Jeffries (Deputy-Alayor), J. King, A. C. Armstrong, I). J. Evans. A. R. Elcock, G. Heinz, T. AV. Duff, E. AV. Heenan, and Dr Teichelinaim (members of the Council), Air T. E. A r . ■Seddon ALP., Alessrs A\'. A. Thompson, H. AI. Coulson, A. Parkhill, AV. D. A lack ay, F. AlcGregor, F. Orr, S. J. Preston (ex-Councillors). A. A. Andrewes (ex-Town Clerk), T. AY; Bruce and others. apologies. The Mayor apologised for the absence of AH J. A. Murdoch Hon. L. Alichel, Air AY. 11. Pa Witt Mayor of Greymouth), and Air John Lloyd iex-Councillor). Mr Perry referred to the occasiotrA

of their meeting that evening to eelcliato the Diamond Jubilee of the Borough. He took the opportunity of expressing the utmost pleasure to see with them that evening their oldest cx-Councillor present ill the person of Mi- W. A. Thompson. At the time of its inauguration continued Mr Perry Hokitika, held a very large population - but the numbers had. dropped down • very considerably in the next iei\ years, and for a while they had not progressed as they would have wished. During the past later years however he could safely say the town had progressed considerably and ft was getting more stable every day. As the land of the district was being opened up the values of the land throughout the district were improving hut still they were not valued as high as he thought they should Im. Ho was gratifed to think that they were able to he present that night to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the town, and he would not say moreat present, hut would aslc some of Athose present to say a few words, first calling on Mr Seddon, Member of the District, whom he was glad to see present. Air T. E. Y. Seddon expressed his pleasure at being present. 'He said it was not easy to get away from AAellimrton at this time of the session, but lie had felt that he should come down for this special occasion. The proper spelling of a number of names of places in New Zealand was being enquired into by the Government. He understood that the spelling of Hokitika was correct. He lmd tlie authority of a suitable Maori linguist on the inatj, " ter. It was right and proper on tins the Diamond Jubilee, to remember those who had come iu the early days. He referred to a number of the early public men of those days. An important report was coming before the House from Air Entrican of the Forestry Department. He referred to the appreciation expressed by visitors of the wonders of our scenic resorts. He felt that in the future the Coast would have its full share of tourists. He was glad to know that all bridges on

the South road were io be pushed on to completion as fast as was possible.--, References were made to the pros- ' poets of the district in reference to the timber industry which was now on tlie up-grade. He wished to bear the remarks of his old friend, Air \V. A. Thompson, who would be able to represent the older generation, the pioneers whom they seek to honor by their presence that evening. Air E. A. AYcll.s (County congratulated the Borough on behalf of the County, on their Diamond Jubilee. He referred to many recollections of tlie early days, the gold-mining and the shipping iu the river. He congratulated the AI ay or on hi.s lengthy -• service to the town, together with Ho V. H. L. Alichrl, who were tlie only two A favors living at the present time. (A later correction was made by a speaker, Air C. E. Holmes Iseing iuel udeil). Air AY. A. Thompson, who was re-

oeived with applause, said he felt very grateful for their generous thought in asking'nlj, old councillors to be present that night to sit round the old table where they had had very hard debates at times. They were troublous times in his day owing to the want of finance. He had spent many hours around the Council table, making many friends and sometimes many enemies. A]any urgent works liad to be held i up owing to the shortage of money. He referred to. tho making of the Livingstone Street drain, as one of the most valuable works carried out. The first Mayor was Mr J. A. Bonar. John Lazar was Town Clerk and a fine one too. Many, good moil have come and gone since who had sat at the Council table. He was very proud to lie present that night to join in the jubilee of the Council. He wished tho Council and Councillors every possiblo prosperity in the future. Mr Perry said they had all listened with great pleasure to the reminiscences of Mr Thompson, and at liis suggestion that appreciation was marked by a round of applause. Air T. AY. Bruce thanked them for the privilege of attending the celebration. He had some 40 years of residence. He had seen, a marked improvement in Hokitika in the last ten years. There were many improvements many due to the work of the Improvement Society. The Borough Council wore also deserving of recognition for :heir work in connection with the water supply. A tribute was paid to the work of past Councillors. He was glad :o he present and congratulated the Tounei.l on the very practical way they vere celebrating it.

Air H. AI. Coulson expressed his appreciation of being present that evening. He had lieon in Hokitika for nearly forty years and liad sat round the Council table for twenty years. He

had always found the Council a particularly clean and practical body of men. He was pleased to have lieen associated with a local body that liad contained such a very line body of men. He looked to a groat future of the district, a steady and sure progress. tie bad been deeply gratified at the opportunity of saving a few words and wished the Council and Councillors every success in the future. The Alavor then moved that tho meeting resolve to place on record the fact that at a meeting to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of the Borough as held, and that the names of those present he recorded on the minutes as a memento of the notable occasion. This was agreed to and the meeting then adjourned to' Arclntosh’s Club Rooms, where a pleasant hour was spent in toast and story, and many interesting references to old times lx?ing made by the various speakers before the gathering dispersed.