THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3441, 5 February 1912, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT.

MAY J»Vi iN first sod of local end cisborne-napier railway.

JUNCTION TO BEAT KING’S BO AD

The Executive appointed to make ar--1 angements in connection with the visit or His Excellency the Governor met on oaturciay evening. The Mayor presided, and there were present: Major Evans, Messrs C. A. deLautour, H. Kenway, L. T. Symes, W. Miller, F. J. Rowley, G. Smith, J. W. Bright, and H. M. Porter. ~ The Mayor said that the position was tnat there was the possibility of the first »od being turned during His Excellency- 'is visit to Gisborne. He had. nothing definite and lie had hoped that Mr Holmes, the Engineer-in-Chief, \'"°r • ttble to give him something definite during an interview he had with lum that evening. He (Air JTolmes) said that his reports had gone ■ forward regarding where the junction was to be and where the first sod was to be, and it seemed that there was no doubt that the .ceremony would take place. They had made arrangements for a wheelbarrow, etc., for the ceremony. Mr Holmes recommended him to wire die Minister of Public Works on tlie matter as it was for him" to authorise the turning of the first god and arrange with His Excellency to perform the ceremony. He (the Mayor) would communicate with the Minister on the subject asking him to authorise the turning of the first sod, and then ihey would, know what to do. Everything pointed to the ceremony being carried out. bv the Governor, but they had not any certain news from the Minister. He had received a telegram from the Governor’s private secretary stating that when in Gisborne the Governor would lay the foundation stones of the Holy Trinity Church and the new Hospital buildings. If the committee thought fit they could have the reception at the band rotunda at 10 a.m. on Saturday, turning of the first sod at 11 a.m., church ceremony at 2.J0 p.m., and laying the foundation stone of the new hospital at 4 p.m. They could then get back in town in time for the official dinner. It had been decided that King’s Road was where the junction would be, and this was where the ceremony would take place. It was eventually decided that the official reception should be held on Saturday at 10 a.m., turning of the first sod X 1.30 a.m., laying the foundation stone of Holy Trinity Church 2.30 p.m., laying the foundation stone of the new hospital buildings at 4 p.m., and official dinner at 8 p.m. The matter of drawing up an address was left in the hands of Mr C. A. deLautour.

HANGAROA ROUTE TO BE ADOPTED.

The Mayor received the following telegram from Sir Jas. Carroll on Saturday :

••Re turning of first sod of Gisborne-Wairoa-Napicr railway, I think matters can he arranged for such a function to take place any day after Wednesday of next week. The Hangaroa route will be the one adopted. The exact position of the junction, near Gisborne, can no doubt be determined while Mr Holmes, Engineer-in-Chief, is there. Construction can be proceeded with when central line proclamation is issued. This should take about four weeks. As to being there myself, it is difficult to say, as it is still doubtful whether I can get away from here, but that need not matter as long as a start is made. —J. Carroll.”

A telegram in similar terms was received by Mr J. IV. Bright, president of the Chamber of Commerce. In this message it is stated that it is hoped to take advantage of his Excellency the Governor’s presence in ‘ Gisborne this week to have performed the ceremony of turning the first sod of the railway. The Cook County Councilf decided on Saturday to present the Governor with an address of welcome.

The Governor’s private secretary wired to Mr J. F. Pettie, of the Masonic Hotel, on Saturday, asking him if he could accommodate His Excellency during his .stay in Gisborne. Suitable arrangements have been made, and the Governor, in consequence, will stop at the Masonic.