FEUDING GRAND OLD LADY.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1927, Page 4

FEUDING GRAND OLD LADY.

UNDER FIVE MOX ARCUS. Throne of England during the life of Five momirchs have occupied the Airs W. H. Webb, of Feilding, who celebrated her 102nd birthday recently. Airs AA'ehb wfll he remembered by many here, the old lady having been a former resident of Revell Street. She was born at Silverwell, near Truro, in tlie County of Cornwall. England, in the year 1825, during the reign ol George I\". who was succeeded by William IV. King AYilliain’s monarchy. however, was oU short duration—seven years to he exact—and Mrs AA'ebb remembers his death, and then the coronation of Queen A ietoria, which eventuated when Airs AA'ebb was twelve years of age. And so on through the reign of Edward AH, and into that of our present King. George V. she has continued on life’s journey, enjoying health and experiencing through her somewhat adventurous career, both hardships and joys. Her maiden name was Francis Harris, and she married the late AA illiam AA ebb at Dailey Chapel, Linkinliorne, Liskard. Cornwall, in 1851.

“Now, please Ahs AA'ehb, can you inform me what was the. year you sailed from your Homeland?” asked a correspondent of the pleasant old lady. Then her face beamed, and with an eagerness to relate her story she said without' hesitation:—“lßs7, and just before Christinas!” It was 011 the American sailing vessel. Tornado, that the young couple sailed from Liverpool, bound for Australia to take part in the Bendigo gold rush, which was then world famous and acted as a magnet 011 the adventurous ones. The voyage occupied six months. After some years’ residence at Bendigo, the AA’aipiro diggings, in Otago, became tlie centre of attraction, and among others who crossed the Tasman to New Zealand in those stirring days were Xir and Airs AA'ebb. From there they joined the gold rush to the AA est Coast, arriving at Hokitika in the “sixties," when the bush was being felled on the town site. Alany years wore spoilt- in that district, but after the death of her husband. Airs AA'ebb and her family removed to New Plymouth. This was in the year 18SG. There they remained lor quite a long period, in 1997 All's AA’ehb came to Feilding where she has since resided with her daughter, Mrs H. 0. Foote. She had two other children, viz., Alt'S Frank Newell (New Plymouth) and the late XIV AY. H. AA'ebb. who prior to bis death lived in. Stratford. There are six grandchildren and two great-grand-children. It was a happy gathering at her birthday celebrations when she entertained lier relatives and friends at an afternoon tea, relating interesting episodes of her life, and referring back with remarkable clarity of memory to happenings at the ago of five years. Sho still retains a pleasing personality and can see, hear and converse quite freely. She rises at a reasonable hour (jnch morning, and delights in doing her daily round of household duties.

During the day there were many “callers.” including the Mayor and Mayoress of Feilding (All* and Airs AA . F. Cnrthew). to congratulate this centenarian, while telegrams, letters and bouquets actually showered in from all parts of the Dominion. On the occasion of her last birthday Airs AA'ebb was honoured with a visit from His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral. Sir Charles Fergussou, and Lady .Alice Fergussou, while they were on their official visit to the town.