Jack McKinley.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 459, 1 July 1902, Page 3

Jack McKinley.

WITH EYE SO TRUE AND HAND SO STEADY.

In a description of his trip to this district, the Rev. Mr Beccroft writes : The following day found me en route for Morore, tho future sanatorium of Hawke’s Bay. Here, where I had expected to find myself an entire stranger, I was welcomed as an old acquaintance by Mrs Mclntyre, as I stepped down from the coach. A bath in tho famous hot springs removed all the fatigue of travel and left a delightful sense of invigoration. Wet weather on the previous Sunday had prevented any church announcement of my mooting. Still, considering the thinly populated district, there was a very good attendance. Mr Shaw, Chairman of the School Committee, presided. TheaudieDce wassympathetic, and in proportion to its numbers, gave the most liberal collection of the campaign. I found that my host, Mr Mclntyre, had to make up the time given to the meeting by working in his office far on into tho night, Yet he was astir early next morning, and I felt, when leaving his hospitable homo, that the Temperance Cause had reason to be proud of those who are working and giving so freely to promote its furtherance in these remote communities.

There were 43 milos to be traversed before Gisborne was roached. Sometimes laboriously climbing what seemed to be interminable hills, then spinning cheerily down to water-level again. Now feasting tho oyes on vast reaches of virgin forest, then passing through] clearings where the bush-whacker and the fire had made “ an expatiation of desolation,” Our horses wore Charlie and Dolly, and Dandy, and Tommy, and Nan. Our Driver, Jack McKinley, had an eye so true and a hand so steady that though there were sometimes barely throe inches to the good, we never once grazed the bank of tho cuttings. The faithful steeds were urged and encouraged by sundry obtestations and objurgations which I supposed were in foreign tongue. On my asking Jack, howver, bo said it was “ Scotch ” 1 . . . . Next time I have to coach it through the hills may 1 have Jack McKinley for a driver, and if I am over asked to go again on deputation may the Alliance Secretary choose the weather.