Had His First Plane Ride At Age Of 92

Chronicle (Levin), 26 July 1949, Page 2

Had His First Plane Ride At Age Of 92

"I've never had' anything better in my life." In t'hese words Mr. George Harris, father of Mr. H. G. Harris, Rangatira Street, enthusiastically described his first ride in an aeroplane. Mr. Harris, who is in his 92nd year, flew from Christchurch 011 Saturday to spend a holiday. with his son. He mentioned that he had nad lunch with one son in Colgate, out of Cristchurch, and afternoon tea with his other son on arrival in Paraparaumu. "Just like gliding along in a motor car, only much better. The view from the air has to be seen to be believed. It's a beautlful sight looking down on the houses, green fields and gardens." . ACtually Mr. Harris is not1 a complete stranger to Otaki, having driven a stage coach along the beach when there were few houses here. He remembers very vividly many incidents connected with the wreck of the City ol Auckland, and conveyed the men pa'ssengers by coach along the beach to Paekakariki, and then over the hill to Pahautanui, through Porirua, Johnsonville and Ngahauranga to Wellington. Mr. Harris well remembers the names of several families resident in Otaki at Ihe time, and looks forward to discussions with members of them. Arrival Of Pioneers. A very interesting account of his arrival by the Stonehouse on July 1, 1874, with his parents, is told by the visitor. The cost of the trip, which lasted about 80 days, was £1. With 300 passengers, the Stonehouse left Liverpool on April 10, 1874, and an oiitbreak of German measles resulted in 24 deaths, the doctor's wife being among the victims. Mr. Harris' destination on arrival was Kaiapoi, where he states "he tendered half a sovereign for a glass of beer, and got nine shillings and tenpence change. ' They were bigger glasses than you get today and far far b'etter beer," he added. Recovering from the first shock of getting a glass of beer for 2d; Mr. Harris said that after doing the rounds and having a 'meal, he Counted up and had 7s 6d of his half sovereign left. The first job he took in New Zealand was ploughing with a bullock team at Cherrys Ford, near Kaiapoi, and after a period of employment in a livery stable he moved to the North Island, where he stayed for three years. "If anyone had told me there was so much fla't country from Paekakariki to Otaki I would never have believed them," Mr. Harris added. "It was all bush when I was here." He also had vivid recollections of horse racing along the beach, having ridden for a Mr. Ike Smith, of Paekakariki. The Maori Pa at Waikanae was also a landmark of note, as was the hotel at Rangiuru. Reverting to the rescue of the immigrants on the City of Auckland, Mr. Harris said that he and others conveyed the women and children into Otaki, and the men were supposed to follow on foot. However, they did not get past the Rangiuru Hotel. Next day he re-

turned for them and with 3.5 passengers conveyed them along the beach to Paekakariki, en route to Wellington. "They jibbed at walking over the hill, but my horses were not going to take a load like that over," he added. Arguments ensued, but Mr. Harris states "they walked alright, and I waited easily an hour on top for them." ' Varied Career. After a turn at bush-fe'ling, Mr. Harris took up milking, and later worked on a sheep run at Masterton. His next? move took him to Ashburton, where he claims he "fence'd half of Ashburton." General contracting work, farming and shearing filled in his time until the first land settlement at Hinds, where he remained 12 years. Later he served as a platelayer and ganger. with the railways, and his last position was as a signalman at Fendalton Road 'crossing. Mr. Harris has taken a keen interest in the activities of the Masonic Lodge, having been a member of Methven No. 51 for about 38 years. '"I've done almost everything a man can do outside of trades." Thus Mr. Harris summed up an eventful career. He had a family of six; two sons and 'two daughters are stiU living and thei^e are 24 grandchildren and 34 great-grand-children. One grandson was killed overseas in the recent war.