VISITORS TO GISBORNE.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 499, 28 August 1890, Page 2

VISITORS TO GISBORNE.

THEIR OPINIONS. The last number of tbe N.Z. Methodist contains a well written account of the “ Impressions of a Visitor ”to Gisborne. The writer signs himself “ Roving Bee,” but if it is not a breach of etiquette we would add the syllable “ croft ” to the latter portion of the appellation. Space is not available to permit of our doing more than giving extracts from the article. The writer begins :—

“ As the s.s. Southern Cross rounded the Mahia Peninsula on Friday July 25'h, and for eight weary hours went plunging and lurching through a stormy sea—one pallid passenger, disquieted in vain, was disposed to wish he had never heard of Gisborne, nr, having heard of it, had never set out to see it; but after four days ashore, and coming into fellowship with one of the cheeriest spirits in the Methodist brotherhood, I—the aforesaid passenger—have changed ray mind. Though the trees bordering its fine streets are leafless, and the gardens of its pleasant homesteads are in their winter’s dishabille ; though the skies at present are not. of the brightest, and the roads of the district are a veritable slough; from the long continued rains, this little capital of Poverty B xy wears, even now, a pleasing aspect, and must be especially attractive in its summer dress. It is true those omnious words, ‘ financial, depression ’ so common on the lips of business mnn in New Zealand, are heard at Gisborne as elsewhere, but here, also, a hopeful accent is taking the place of the despondent tone that has so long prevailed. If the impressions of a stranger visiting the outlying townships may be re’ied upon, and the new frozen meat works established near the town prove as successful as kindred industries in Hawke’s there are brighter days in store for Gisborne, and they will not be long in coming. Many things have interested me during the past few days, but that which has mnst impressed me is the marvellous energy of the circuit minister. Methodism knows something of the remarkable man who has been so successfully conserving and extending her interests in this so’itary station, and she ought to know more. If he knew what I am writing he would restrain my pen—for he is as modest as he is enterprising. HappVy he d n ea no*’, so with the Editor s permission I can-have my sav. In the colony one often hears of vim. That is just the word for summing up Mr Ward’s abounding vitality. He seems as restless and as tireless ns a steam engine at high pressure. It is enough to take one’s breath aww to sec a man who, after taking the morning prayer meeting, and preaching in the forenoon, in conducting a service four miles away at 2, ten miles away at 3.30, home at 6, open air service at 6 30. church at 7, prayer meet f ng at 8.30. and after all this treading the verandah of his house with a fresher step than most of us have when we set out in a morning. Then the versatility of the man ! I sat beside him in a b’lizgv, and I sa : d to myaelf, * this brother s forte, is driving.’ I saw him wielding a baton, and I soliloquised, *<he orchestra is his place.’ He was superintending the commissariat department—looking after teamakers and sandwich cutters, and I concluded he was a professional caterer. He mounted the platform and put a hungry

crowd info good humor until the arrival of the hissing nrns, and behold a natural commander, When de’icate details of precedence and apportionment of place required a skilful director, he shone forth a diplomatist. The testimony of his people and his evident touch with the population declared him the effective preacher. One heard his irresistible appeals atcol’ection times, and the thought instinctively suggested itself, ‘ heis a born beggar!’ ” After giving a description of the parsonage and the refined and housewifely skill of its mistress, and highly approving of the way in which Mr Ward had attended, to the details of his scheme, the writer continues ! — “ And now for the * field day.’ In honor of the occasion of the stone-laying, and as a tribute to the enterprise of tha Gisborne Wesleyane, the tradesmen, school tesohers, and people of every degree kept a halfholiday, on Tuesday, the 20th. A representative of the Anglican and Presbyterian Churches, and of the Salvation Army, e n h placed a memorial, whilst nur own church was fittingly represented by its most venerable member. Mrs Rohjohns, now in her 83rd year, and a true mother in Israel. It was a touching sight to see this * old disciple,’ as. with trembling hand and tears of grateful joy, she fulfilled thi”, probably, her last pub’ic actin connection with the earthly zion she has loved and served so long. A very pleasing episode in the ceremony was the presentation to each of these friends of a Bib’e and Wesley’s hymns, on behalf nf the trustees, This was gracefully performed by that staunch friend of Methodism, Mrs Hutchinson, of VVaihuka (formerly of Wapier), who had driven nearly thirty miles, and across dangerously swollen rivers, to ba present at these services. . . . * Never was anything like it seen in Gisborne’—was the remark of the mayor to me, as we sat on the p’atform of the Theatre Royal, and looked down on the crowded tables at the evening soiree. It was unquestionably a stirring sight, The fern-draped walls—the exquisite floral trophies—the array of tempting viands—the smiling guests—the flitting waiters—and the eager throng pressing for admission at the doors—formed a picture that will not soon fade from the memory of those who witnessed it.” After referring in high terms to the entertainment, not omitting to mention the Rev. Mr Munro’s popular address, the writer concludes:—“lf, under God, the West End Mission ig the outcome of Price Hughes’ ‘ sanctified audacity,’ the retrieval of Methodism from its forlorn estate is the fruit of the Rev. J. Ward’s pertinacity.”