Gisborne's 20,000th Citizen

Nobody could ever know who, in reality, was Gisborne's 20,000th citizen. It could have been someone coming here to live, or a baby just arrived, or even a visitor on a holiday—one of the so-called "floating" population who are counted in wherever they may be on census night. But, figuratively, the honour goes to little Jill Fisher.

For Jill was born in Cook Hospital maternity annexe, within the borough boundaries, at 2.30 p.m. on August 9, and she was the last baby to be born before city status was announced.

And here, looking very important, as well she might, is Jill herself, just five days of age, in her mother's arms.

Speaking figuratively again, it was perhaps appropriate that Jill really belongs to the country — for isn't the new status of Gisborne bound inseparably to the primary industries which support it ? Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. R. Fisher, of Ngatapa. Appropriately again Mrs. Fisher, formerly Marie Middleton, belongs to an old Gisborne family. Her grandfather was indeed born here, and her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Middleton, live in Bloomfield Road.

Good luck to you, Jill. We hope you come back some day and live in the town you made a city.