soon drove them out of Westland, and into the hands of the Nelson authorities who, none the less alert, soon captured, convicted and hanged them.
During the opening months of this year (1867) the population of Greymouth, like that of Hokitika, had increased in an amazing manner, and the town was now known as the Crescent City for the reason that its places of business followed the waterfront and the natural curve of the river, making, especially at night when ablaze with light, a brave show indeed. Here W. H. Revell, in his official capacity as Resident Magistrate and Warden, was in charge of the district, while T. A. S. Kynnersley occupied the position of Commissioner, Resident Magistrate, and Warden of the Nelson goldfields with headquarters across the river at Cobden.
Both Provincial Governments had now instituted a roading system, and good progress was being made with the necessary construction works. The next progressive move was made by the Canterbury Provincial Council, who spent £1,000 in “protection” works: a series of piles nine feet long was driven along the bank of the river, the undertaking being known as the “Ninepins Contract,” it being generally held by those who had seen the Grey in flood that the first “fresh” would carry the structure away; and sure enough, a little later the “protective works” went out to sea.
