THE DAYS OF GOLD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 218, 14 September 1934, Page 3

THE DAYS OF GOLD

OLD WESTLAND CHURCH. LINK WITH WEST COAST KUSH. The little old Anglican Church at Stafford, Westland, believed to be one of the first six churches built on the West Coast, was recently removed to a new site to allow the operations of a gold dredge to proceed. The Church News states that the church dates from the hectic days of the gold rush to bhe West Coast. “The Australian company working the auriferous deposits near the church has gradually been approaching the section, and recently made an attractive offer to the vestry for it,’’says the Church News. “The company undertook to provide a good section in a better situation, to deliver the church in good condition, or to rebuild it if it came to pieces, to repaint and repair it, to provide electric light free, and so on. The offer was accepted and the transfer of the church has been safely made. “In the early days Stafford was al tached to Hokitika. The first resident clergyman at Stafford was the Rev. H. J. Congdon Gilbert as curate-iu-charge. A house was rented for some months; but in. 1875 a parsonage was built, the tender being for £169 10s. The Rev. A. E. Scott (afterwards archdeacon) lollowedj then came the Rev, John Holland. Since those early days of the gold rush Stafford has dwindled from a population of many hundreds to a tiny handful.” anl in the Manawatu County as far souili as Oroua Dvwns. The applicant was also granted the light to make trips to and from Rangitikei Street as required. A. Powell applied for a renewal of ris existing licence and also for authority to carry fat lambs from farms in the district to Wanganui Freezing Works. The application was granted for general carrying iu the five southern ridings in the County of Rangitikei and to operate iu the Otairi Riding in additon ior the carrage of fat iambs to either Feilding or Wanganui. W. Dickson applied for an area licence for the five southern ridings and also for a route licence within 25 miles radius. —Marton-Wanganui and Marton Feilding. Ho said ne carried between 600 ar.d 80<- tons of manure last season.—The application was granicd. W. R. Stevens sought a general caring licence for the five southern ridings and also Tne right to carry stock to Wanganui ana Feilding.—The application was granted. W. H. Davies (Marton) was granted a icnewal of licence to operate over the fire southern ridings of the Rangitikei County Council and in the Oroua and Manawatu Counties wetst of a line running through Sanson and Halcoinbe, with the right to journey to Hunterville for furniture. Ellery Bros. (Bulls) applied for a renewal of their licence to operate in the Rangitoto and Porewa Ridings and the southern portion of the Rangitira Riding and the eastern portion of the Otakapau Riding; also the Sanson and Ohakea districts of the Manawatu County, with the right to run to Feilding by the main road. —The application was granted. Mrs. A. Sims and Sons were granted a renewal of their licence to operate in the Ctakapsu and Wangaehu Rid iugs with the light to run to Wanganui, and to Marton and Manawatu Aand P. Shows stocks. J. W. Cooper (Hunterville) was granted a {.oods service licence to operate between Hunterville and Pukerua on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and between Hunterville and Pikihikura on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. He was also authorised to carry two passengers, the fares being defined. J. Stewart’s application, which was heard yesterday and held over on account of hi* request for permission to carry passengers, was finalised, the app’icai un being granted. T 1 ompson and Bowater W. H Borton f.nu Nicholl’s Transport, Ltd., were gran.td renewals of licences in necoxu ar.ee with their applieat'ons. The Railway Department did not oppose the requests, as these cirriers were feeders of the railway. In reference to the application, of Mr. A. B- F. Parkes, which was heard yesterday, Mr. G. R. L. Stanford briefly addressed the Authority this afternoon. The chairman intimated that a decision would not be arrived at until tomorrow. Franxs and Smith (Hunterville) were granted a licence to operate three vehicles in the Rangitikei County south of Mangaweka, Te Kuma and Siberia, excluding the Rangitoto Riding, with the right *o carry wool and livestock to Wanganui and for stock to Rongotca during the January, Februaxy and March. R Puilingc x’s application wad granted, the territory being similar to the above except for the carriage of goods to fiongotea and Wanganui.