TOWN EDITION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10725, 23 June 1906, Page 3

TOWN EDITION

Scrgt.-Major Williams arrives in Gisborne on Wednesday morning and in the evening will hold a class for non-com-missioned officers of both local corps. The Gisborne Rifles parade on Thursday and the Cadets on Friday evening. General Babington and staff arrive on Saturday morning and in the afternoon inspect all local corps.

There is no question that artistic signwriting adds greatly to the appearance of a town, and with the object of making Gisborne up-to-date in tin's respect, Messrs F. Hall and Sons have engaged the services Of Mr C. E. Anketell, a writer with extensive Melbourne and Sydney experience, whoso good work has already been manifested on a number of recent additions to tlio architecture of the town.

The "Whakatane correspondent of the Auckland Herald writes : — Quite a large number of natives, estimated at between 600 and 700, assembled at the Ruatoki Pa on Sunday, 17th inst, this being the Inst day of "the prophet's tour in this district prior to taking his departure for Gisborne. In company with the local officer of the district (Mv Wilcox) I. proceeded to Ruatoki on the ,l7th inst. Mr Wilcox wished to hold some converse with tho prophet. Wc advanced to within a distance of about 25yds, when we Were met by a cordon of the disciples or bodyguard, and from this point messages were sent to, and answers received from, Rua. Tho prophet was seated on a chair outside his tent, and all messengers approaching had to kneel while delivering their message. The limited number of followers, it appears, was arranged to bo 44 Only. Rua now states ho is taking 82 to Gisborne. Ho is a man of medium height, spare build, and about 35 years of age, and conveys to an observer the -impression of a man . of nervous temperament. A report was current here that he had discovered and had in his possession the promised diamonds, but so far they had not been on view.' .