A LINK WITH THE PAST

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1939, Page 19

A LINK WITH THE PAST

MRS. ROCKEL, OF WANGANUI

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

WANGANUI, July 25,

I Mrs. Eliza Rockel. of Wanganui. one , of the oldest living New Zealand-born women, if not the oldest, celebrated her ninety-sixth birthday on Monday. Mrs. Rockel's memory is excellent, *nd she has given much interesting and useful information to local historians. Mrs. Rockel's parents were Mr. and Mrs. T. V. McKenzie, who were married in Wellington when Mrs. McKenzie was 16. Mrs. Rockel was one ox the five children born in Wellington before 1846. In 1850 the family sei out for their land at Turakina. " A horse and cart were hired, but the driver refused to ford the Manawatu River, so the family walked the rest {of the way, escorted by• Napier Tara I toa. Mrs. McKenzie rode on a horse 'lent by Dr. Best. To cross the Rangijtikei River, fishermen's panniers were ! put on each side of the horse, and in I these the children were placed.

■- Living in clay and slab whares, breaking in the land, sledging supplies, butter, eggs, and honey, down the coast to the little schooners, all this is part of Mrs. Rockel's memories. The old "Poyntyfield" garden (the McKenzie place) was unrivalled on the coast; today it is part of Flock House station From there Mrs. Rockel was married. She had a family of eight boys and four girls, and today her descendants number nearly 300. • ■ -'