THE PREMIER’S DIPLOMACY.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 83, 16 April 1901, Page 4

THE PREMIER’S DIPLOMACY.

A Gkevmoutii correspondent states: — The Premier arrived hers the other morning on a surprise visit; no one knowing he was due, consequently there was an absence of his faithful followers to accord him a welcome. He had no sooner put in an appearance, however, than he found he had a difficult task before him. He had been invited to attend the Hokitika races, and likewise the Kumara races, both held on the same day. The two towns are eleven miles apart, and the former jumped the latter’s dates, and by means of a more attractive programme hoped to crowd the ancient seat of the irrepressible Richard John out of existence as a racing'centre, As a, consequenco the bitterest enmity existed between the two towns. Kumara vowed that if their former champion went to Hokitika it would make matters warm for him, while Hokitika would dare the Premier to go toj the Kumara races. With either charmer Richard could have been happy, but with both he was a trifle mixed up. However, he got over the difficulty very diplomatically. Unknown to the general public he slipped down per special train to Kumara, and astonished and delighted the Kumaraites by walking over to them course and mingling with the multitude. When the last race was over he as quietly slipped back to Greymouth, getting out at a flag station and driving to his son-in-law’s residence, where he lay low. This morning he was supposed to remain at Greymouth, but he took the train, and, before the Hokitikians were aware of it was amongst them, and at their race meeting, shaking hands, and now both towns, as of yore, vote him a “Jolly good fellow.”