Days of Rejoicing
Notable Visitors to Poverty Bay

Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester, visited Gisborne by motor car in December, 1934. He was accorded a civic reception on Childers Road Reserve, then visited Poho-o-Rawiri meeting-house, and, later, enjoyed a dip at Wainui Beach.

H.R.H. Prince George of Battenberg (a nephew of King George V) was on board H.M.S. New Zealand when she made her first call at Poverty Bay on 27 April, 1913.

H.M.S. Renown (which brought out to New Zealand the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII, and now the Duke of Windsor) in April, 1920, nosed round Young Nick's Head, but, as the weather was unfavourable, she headed out to sea again. Her Royal passenger was not then on board. In March, 1927, the Renown made a brief call at Poverty Bay.

Viscount Jellicoe (commander of the British forces at the historic Battle of Jutland) twice visited Poverty Bay. On the occasion of his first visit (September, 1919) he was a guest on board H.M.S. New Zealand. His second visit was in April, 1921.

The battle cruiser Repulse spent the morning of 9 May, 1924, in Poverty Bay.

H.M.S. Indefatigable came into Poverty Bay on 10 December, 1946. She is the only aircraft carrier that has visited the port Her companions were the destroyers Wizard and Urchin.

Widespread interest was created by Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery's visit to Gisborne in July, 1947.

Vice-Regal investitures at Gisborne and Ruatoria—the first to be held in the district—were a feature of the visit which Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C. (Governor-General) paid in September, 1947.