MR J. A. HARDING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 455, 13 April 1899, Page 18

MR J. A. HARDING.

A portrait of especial interest, perhaps, is that of Mr J. A. Harding, proprietor of the Masonic Hotel, Gisborne, and owner of that sterling mare, Tauhei. Mr Harding is a native of County Tipperary, and came out to New Zealand about 1867, when quite a boy. He was educated at

old St Matthew’s School, Hobson Street, Auckland, and subsequently at the Grammar School. On leaving school Mr Harding joined the Government Survey. He did much work in the Auckland province, and was a member of the party that surveyed the Waikato Railway—from Drury to Hamilton —and the Helensville line. Mr Harding then became overseer of works at Rangiriri and Taupiri. In 1875 he went to Gisborne, where he was surveying until 1878, when he was compelled to give up outdoor life by reason of illhealth. Mr Harding then turned his attention to store-keeping, and at Waipiro, on the Last Coast, he successfully conducted a growing business for some eight years. Relinquishing the store, in or about 1886, he returned to Gisborne, and commenced operations as a timber merchant Mr Harding remained in that business until about ten years ago, when he took over a three years’ lease of the Masonic Hotel from Mr Jimmy Scott. At the expiration of the lease Mr Harding purchased the property, and since then has by particular care gained for the Masonic a wide reputation for comfort and attention. Always taking a great interest in local affairs, the proprietor of the Masonic has been a member of the Gisborne Borough Council for the last twelye years, he is a member of the Haiti Road Board, and is treasurer of the Gisborne Hospital. In addition to thoroughly interesting himself in the welfare and progress of Gisborne, Mr Harding is a prominent supporter of sports and pastimes. He is vice-president of the Gisborne Racing Club, chairman of the Gisborne Steeplechase Club, and for the last three years has been Master of the Poverty Bay Hounds. He takes great interest in Gisborne rowing and football clubs, and gives

hearty support to athletics generally.^As {the owner of Tauhei, that first-class mare by'Castor out of Vivandiere, Mr Harding is a justly proud man, for her deeds, this season have been remarkable. • Sam, the well-known East Coast steeplechaser, is also Mr Harding’s property, and he has a promising two-year-old in Matiroa, by Torpedo out of Rivulet. Mr Harding married a Miss Ryland, of Gisborne, and has a family of six children. To say that Mr Harding is a popular man is almost like painting the lily or adorningthe rose. To see him is to know him, and knowing him one understands the reason of his success and of his popularity. The portrait of Mr Harding appears on page 7.