REMINISCENCES OF THE WEST COAST.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11051, 1 September 1896, Page 7

REMINISCENCES OF THE WEST COAST.

THE CHURCHES, 1865-6. [By Rongotea in “ Canterbury Times,”] Tho first clergyman of any denomination to visit the West Coast was a Catholic prV?t, who conducted a religious service in Hokitika in one of the rooms of an hotel in Re veil Street, adjoining one of the hanks. Preshaw, in his “ Banking Under Difficulties,” says this was early in 1866. Th.is is incorrect; it must have been late in the autumn or early in the winter of ISGS.

Subsequent to this, Wesleyan laymen held several services in unfinished buildings or in the open air on the Sabbath. Mr D. W. Virtue, now of Wellington, also conducted' Divine worship in the open air or in the Corinthian Hall. Mr Virtue was- then unconnected with any church; but was popular and-; highly esteemed' by the whole community. One of the Wesleyan laymen, who addressed largo crowds in the open air, was a French Canadian, named Powell. During the autumn and early winter several members of the Wesleyan Church, three of whom were local preachers, wrote from Hokitika to the authorities in Christchurch, urging the need of a resident minister. In the early pai't of July it was arranged that the Revs J. Duller and G. S. Harper should proceed to the Coast to organise Methodism in connection with the Christchurch circuit. As Mr Harper had been only a few months from England, Mr Duller was requested to accompany or precede him, in order to prepare his way among the people. It was finally arranged that Mr Duller should go overland on horseback, and Mr Harper by sea. The former left Christchurch on Monday, July 17, and in a little less than six days reached Hokitika. The latter left Lyttelton on July 27 in the steamer New Zealand, but through stress of weather did not arrive at Hokitika till A.ugust 7, when the vessel stuck on the bar and was wrecked on the beach at the entrance of the river. Mr Duller spent two sabbaths in Hokitika, preaching both days in • the Corinthian Hall. During his stay Mr Duller secured a valuable church site and organised a Church Building Committee. He had left the coast when his colleague arrived as the first resident minister. Mr Harper stayed ten months, and preached the gospel in all kinds of buildings, in the , streets,, and wherever listeners could be gathered together. This was the case from the Grey to Okarito, The churches in Hokitika, Kanieri and Ross were erected during his sojourn, also the parsonage in Hokitika.

Mr Harper’s first services in Hokitika were held on August 13, in the Corinthian Hall, which was a large room behind an hotel bar kept by host Harding, and let for religious services at a pound per Sabbath. The building was a mere shell, without floor or seats, save a form or two and empty beer barrels. At one end was , a stage with tawdry scenery, and at the other a counter, behind which were ranged rows of bottles of alcoholic liquors. On week nights Thatcher amused the citizens with his humourous songs and satires, while thirsty listeners were served with drinks at one shilling per glass. Stirring times were those, and much more could be said, but we must forbear.

The next clergyman to arrive in Hokitika was the Rev B. Drake, Congregational minister, from Invercargill. This was early in September. Mr Drake was a good preacher, but well advanced in years. His services were held in the billiard-room of the Empire Hotel; but finding very few members of his own denomination, after a stay of a few months, he returned to his former home.

The Anglican Church was the next to send a representative in the person of Bishop Harper, of Christchurch, who arrived in Hokitika in the second week in September. He conducted services for two Sabbaths in the Corinthian Hall. On his return, to Christchurch the Bishop in an address to his clergy and others said, "It is with heartfelt gratitude that I record the great kindness of the Wesleyan minister there, who showed me every courtesy, and gave up the hall to me, and went to no little trouble in getting seats, &c.” At intervals different clergymen of his church visited Hokitika and held religious services there and at Kanieri; but it was not till late in 1866 that a resident clergyman was located on the Coast. In the first week of October, 1865, two Catholic priests arrived, one of whom was stationed at Hokitika and the other at the Grey. The next minister to arrive was the Rev W. Cannell, who was to succeed the Rev G. S. Harper. This was late in January, 1866. Mr Cannell landed at the Grey, visited Hokitika, and returned to the Grey till the following April. Sabbath services were conducted in the Victoria Concert room.

In the middle of April, 1866, the Eev Mr White, of the Free Methodist Church, came to the Coast, and took up the work of the Rev W. Cannell, at Greymouth. The above records are culled from a diary of the early days, and it is hoped that they will prove interesting to many of the readers of the Canterbury Times.