HIS EXCELLENCY ARRIVES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3446, 10 February 1912, Page 7

HIS EXCELLENCY ARRIVES.

SOME IMPRESSIVE SCENERY WITNESSED. OVERLAND FROM ROTORUA. HIS EXCELLENCY GREATLY INTERESTED. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. After a long and tiring motor ride from Wairoa His Excellency Lord Islington arrived in town at 6.45 last evening. He was accompanied by Captain 'Shannon, A.D.C., and Mr JHunter Brown, of Wairoa, in whose car the party accomplished the journey.

Interviewed during the evening, one of the members of the party tola a “Times” reporter that His Excellency had been much impressed by tlie country through which he had passed. Taking leave of Rotorua at 11.15 a.m. on Tuesday, the party made the first stages of the journey by motor car, halting for lunch at a place called Waiatapu. Resuming, the journey after having partaken of refreshment they then proceeded l as far as Mura pau, where a few settlers had assembled to welcome His Excellency to their part of _ the district. The roads up to this point were very uncomfortable, and at times the car ran over long stretches of broken metal. About 4 p.m. To Whaiti was reached, where His Excellency was welcomed by a large body of Natives. Once more taking the road the party reached Ruatakauni, some twenty miles distant, a short while afterwards, and remained there for the night. This twenty-mile. stretch was exceedingly hard, and it is believed that the car in which His Excellency travelled was the first to travel over it. Rising at an early hour on the morning of the 7 tli, the members of the party left Ruatalumni at 6 a.m., riding Native ponies, their baggage being carried on pack-horses.

Not long afterwards they reached the “Prophet” Rna’s pah, where the leader and his followers welcomed His Excellency. Rua delivered a speech, and the party resumed their journey shortly afterwards.

The scenery throughout greatly impressed Lord Islington, who remarked that the land had l great possibilities if developed, and it would in time be possible to make it an important dairy district. Pushing on they reached a stream known as the Hoporuahini, and it was along the bed of this that they made their way to the shores of Lake Waikaremoana. In all the party crossed this stream one hundred and forty times during their descent to the lake. Arriving on the shores of the lake about 4.30 p.m. they were met by Mr Dale, lessee of the Government Accommodation house, who conveyed them across the lake to the house by motor launch. The treatment and appointments at the Lake House greatly pleased the members of the party, who cannot speak to highly of the attention given them by Mr Dale. Here again the scenery evoked admiration, and His Excellency indulged in some trout fishing, landing one eight-pounder. The Lake House was left at 11.15 a.m. on Thursday, and they drove along the Wairoa Road to a point known as Big Hill, where they were met by Mr Hunter Brown, who conveyed the party in to Wairoa in his motor car.

On his arrival at Wairoa, His Excellency was accorded a- civic welcome at which addresses were presented l by Mr Corkill, the Mayor, and l Mr Hunter Brown, chairman of the Wairoa County Council. A smoke concert was given in His Excellency’s honor in the evening. In continuation of his journey ,to Gisborne, His Excellency and party left Wairoa in Mr Hunter Brown’s car at 10.15 a.m. yesterday. No effort was made to accomplish this stage of the journey in smart time, and several stops were made along the route. When the vice-regal party reached Tukara schoolhouse the children were assembled to bid His Excellency -welcome, and a similar incident took place at the Nuhaka school.

Lunch was partaken of at Morere, where Lord Islington viewed the baths and manifested interest in the springs. The party reached Wharerata in time for tea, and afterwards came on to Gisborne, arriving here at the hour stated. During the day Captain Shannon telegraphed to Major C. Hellier Evans stating that His Excelelncy would not require the escort arranged to attend him, and the parade was accordingly cancelled. Owing to the arrival of the party later than was expected, the welcome which was to have been tendered by members of the Cook County Council at Waipaoa Bridge was postponed until to-day, and the same measure was taken in regard to the Borough welcome. ~ The Mayor was, early in the day. advised' that His Excellency would be unable to avail himself of the Poverty Bay Turf Club’s invitation to attend their meeting.' After dinner His Excellency was for some tinle occupied with the Mayor and other prominent citizens, including Mr C. E. Armstrong, district engineer, and Mr J. W. Nolan.

A busy day awaits His Excellency to-day. The first of the functions is to take place at 10 am at the Trafalgar Rotunda, where Lord Islington will be made the recipient of an address of welcome from the citizens. The next item will be the turning of the first sod at the_ junction of the Gisborne-Napiev railway at King’s Road. A special' train leaves town at 11.15 a.m., .and among those who are expected to" be present at the ceremony are the following:—Messrs Cranley "(president of the Napier Chamber of Commerce), J. Hunter .Brown (chairman of the Wairoa County Council). Dr. Somerville (president of the Wairoa Chamber of Commerce), Mr W. Whyte (president of the East Coast Inlandl Railway League), and W. D. S'. MacDonald', M.P.

The first of the afternoon’s functions will be the laying of the foundation stone of the new Holy Trinity Churcli at 2.15 p.m., and at 4 p.m; His Excellency will be received by the members of the Hospital Board on the site of the new hospital, and invited to lay the foundation stone for that building. A small portion of the foundation of +he administration block lias been specially prepared to receive the stone. A dinner in honor of His Excellency’s visit will he tendered to Lord Islington at 8 p.m. this evening by the local bodies and the vice-regal party leaves for Wellington by the Monowai to-morrow evening. BRILLIANT LIGHTING DISPLAY. ELECTRICITY USED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN GISBORNE. Simultaneously with the arrival of His Excellency the Governor at 7 o’clock last night, the Masonic Hotel burst into a blaze of light from 32 lamps of 100 candle power each. The brilliance of the illuminations took many people by surprise. There was something unusual about the color and steadiness of the light, which seemed strange to people accustomed' for years to gaslight. The illuminations had been put in by the electrical staff of the Borough' Council, and the light was the first to come from the power-house. The illuminations had a most striking effect, and was greatly admired by a large crowd which congregated in the street. The expeditious manner in which the installation was effected reflects great credit on the borough electrical staff. Air W. H. Buswell, the newly-ap-pointed electrical engineer, only arrived from Wellington on Wednesday morning, and consequently lost no time in getting to work. The suite of rooms occupied by His Excellency the Governor was lighted by 15U0 candle power. The work of installation here was carried out by Alessrs F. Hall and Sons, under the supervision of Mr J. S. Allan. Tire outside lighting of the hotel was carried; cut by the borough electrical staff, and consisted of 3200 candle power. The newest pattern of Osram lamps, with metallic filament, were used, and the clear and steady light diffused was generally admired. In addition to the lighting at the Hotel, the station was lighted during the run bv 1500 candle power. Mr Thomas Hill, representative of the firm of Messrs Mirlees, Bickerton and Day, the makers, was in charge of the Diesel engines, which worked most satisfactorily on the light load, two units of 150 h!p. each being used. Speaking to a “Times” reporter last night, the Mayor stated that he as highly pleased at the expeditious and highly satisfactory manner in which the installation had been carried out by the electrical staff.

* Although the light was in evidence last night, it will not be until the end of the month that some portion of the present system will be working, as a portion of the material is still on the water.

NAPIER WELLWISHES. [SPECIAL TO TIMES.] NAPIER, Feb. 9. The Chairman of the Napier Chamber of Commerce (Mr C. H. Cranby), has forwarded the following message to the Mayor of Gisborne (Mr W. Pettie); “Owing to indisposition accept my apology for being unable to attend your function in connection with the East Coast railway. Please accept icy Chamber’s congratulations. We trust that the turning of the first sod from your end is the forerunner of the speedy completion of the line to Napier, to our mutual advantage. Wishing you success.”