increase in the population the food shortage became even more acute, so acute indeed that it was found necessary to dispatch four vessels from Hokitika with supplies, which eased the position somewhat.
While these wonderful returns were being obtained in the Grey district the southern fields were also yielding up the precious metal in amazing quantities. Hokitika was also going ahead by leaps and bounds, with an ever-increasing population. A hospital had been built, the post office completed, and a contract had been let for piling 12 chains of the wharf. The export duty on gold shipped from there for July was £3,000, and the import duties nearly £4,000.
It is of importance to note that on the 30th of this month the Reverend J. Buller of the Wesleyan Church conducted the first religious service held in Westland in the Corinthian Hall, Hokitika.
In the same year the first Roman Catholic missionaries reached Hokitika, arrangements soon being made for the building of St. Mary’s, which was opened for divine service on Christmas Eve, 1865. This was the first church to be completed in Westland. The Wesleyan Church was the next, being built facing Tancred Street and opened for service early in 1866. The Anglican Church followed the visit of Bishop Harper in 1865, who made the necessary arrangements for the building of
