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).