Histories of life in the Styx
Two books are to be written involving the history of a
Shirley-Papanui Community Board area and will be published to mark the millennium.
Last year the board allocated part of its "Year 2000
Projects" money towards the cost of a book to be written on the history of the Styx
River. At the time the group involved was being formed and had not been named. The Styx
History Group was set up as part of the process that saw the incorporation earlier this
year of the Guardians of the Styx. Chaired by Dennis Hills (also the deputy chairperson of
the board), the group has been in operation since late last year. It has plans for two
books: a general history- information book and a collection of reminiscences by long-time
residents in the Styx catchment area. Interviews for the second book are being conducted
and research for the first is well underway.
Research so far has been in relation to the location of
the original rural sections and their ownership in the 1860s, electoral rolls from 1853,
early church records before 1900 and a search of books that mention the Styx area.
Dennis says many interesting facts about pioneer families
have emerged and he believes a third book is likely. Some families have been associated
with the area for almost 150 years. The history-information book will reveal, among other
information, that the original name was Sticks and there were hop gardens at Chaneys.
"And how about the proposed transport system that included a canal linking the Avon
and Styx rivers along what is now Marshland Road?" Research will cover the whole of
the Styx catchment and areas such as Otukaikino, Bottle Lake and all other drains that
convey water to the Styx.
Dennis Hills would like to hear from people with historical photographs and information about life in the Styx area. His contact numbers are 358 6199 (day) and 352 5545 (evening).
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