Death of a Centenarian.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 June 1922, Page 3

Death of a Centenarian.

EARLY HISTORY RECALLED

At the advanced age of 100 years Mrs N. Bates recently passed peacefully way* at the residence of her daughter, Airs A. Dandy, at Colne Bay near R"* erton. Airs Bates who was born »t Coil- ' fi*h island in 1822, states the 'A\es - ei-H Star,” was one of the Ngatihm Huirapa. tribe, and was one ot the => of that race. Her mother died when she was quite a child, and then she went to sea with her father, who was a whaler, and had many trying experiences in those days. AVhen her father s boat left for England she was given hi charge of the flight-house keeper at Otago Heads, While there she witnessed the landing of the then famous trader “Johnny” Jonc’s from Australia. She was then 14 years of age, and is supposed to be the last survivor «>. those who saw him arrive. All Jones was a merchant trading between here and Australia in the way-back days and was looked upon as the king ot Nev. Zealand at that time, owing to the vast interests lie had in this country. At the age of 18 she was married to Mr Nathaniel Bates. The ceremony ‘took place at Riiapuke Island and ivas conducted hy the Rev. Air AMioleis. Whilst living at Runpuke she was instrumental in queuing a disturbance between the Natives of C.odhslii Island and those of Runpuke. A Codfish Islander, who was living at Rr.ni>' committed suicide owing to Ins attentions to a Afaori maiden liemg.rejeeted. ■ The Codfish tribe believed him to have been murdered, and sailed forth in their canoes to square accounts with the Runpuke braves. On approachin * the island and giving indications of their intentions to fight, Mrs Bates, . who was quite a girl anil a member of

the advancing tribe, went to the beachand held counsel with her chief whereupon they marched to the enemy s pa and were made welcome. A feast in lieu of a fight followed, and this tang., over the remains of the ‘love-sirx wairior lasted several days. Shortly after her marriage she and her husband went to live at Riverton, and took up a small place near where the old "Marine Hotel was. Tt was here that “Happy Moko,” a well-known identity in the locality in those days, joined them, and together they went in for rearing pigs of the Captain Cook breed, which they sold to the sailing vessels that anchored off the Aparimn. and in return got supplies of flour, coffee, beans, etc. Air and Airs Bates then went farming up the Jacob’s river at what is now known as Bates’s Point. It was here that she proved herself a ' veritable "Grace Darling.” A waggoner named Homage. from Queenstown

wns crossing the river nt high tine in the vicinity of her place when he got into difficulties, and Mrs Bates, seeing the accident immediately put off in a boat to his assistance. After a strenev'rr,lons l ons pull she reached the unfortunate victim and extricated him from his perilous position, hut not before hi* four horses were drowned, and the man almost exhausted. Shortly alter this one of Mrs Bates’s children became seriously ill. which necessitated a journey to Dunedin to see n doctor. Bumage was now able to repay Mrs Bates for her timely assistance, and put to sea in no open boat with Mr and Mrs Bates and child, in order to proceed to Dunedin. Tlie perilous journey there and hack occupied six clays, and was satelv accomplished. Mrs Bates was the first woman to cross the old Biverton bridge, going over by means of planks while the bridge was in course of construction. Since her husband's death, some 3.5 years ago. she had resided with her daughters. She had a family of twrjlve, seven sons and five daughters. She had 54 grandchildren and 53 "rentgrand children. Mr J. B. Bates of Kan, je.r.j 13 ft grandson of deceased,