107 YEARS OLD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5496, 4 November 1929, Page 2

107 YEARS OLD.

ARMY OFFICER’S DAUGHTER. DEATH AT TIROHIA PAH. The death occurred recently at Tirohia of Mere Timihi, reputed to be 107 years of age. She was the daughter of Captain Cooper, a British Army Officer (who was stationed in New Zealand in l 1820), and Te Mihi, a daughter of a prominent Northern chieftain. Soon after the marriage Captain Cooper was recalled to England, and little Mere Timihi was christened at Korororeka. Later the child was adopted by the Ngatitamatera tribe. In due course Captain Cooper sent out from England an emissary to find her, but although she was traced as far as Paeroa, he was assured by the natives that the child was dead. Her first husband was Keremereta, who deserted her some time after. In due course she was mari'ied to Wiremu Pohipoti, and several years later he was drowned from a trading canoe on the way to Auckland. Mere’s last husband was Paora Tuinga, by whom the present family at Tirohia claim descent. Paora, who died sixteen years ago at the age of 69, was one of the loyal Maoris who fought for the Queen in the later Maori wars and took part in the engagement at Rangiohia. A son-in-law was also a prominent Maori scout for the militia that ran the. notorious Te Kooti to earth. Among the centenarian’s descendants who took part in the Great War were Lance-Corporal J. Taupaki, Privates George and Remeka Taupaki, and George Huitoroa. Mere Temihi, who had always enjoyed the best of health, was a heavy smoker, and even as a girl smoked her own clay and only enjoyed the strongest of Irish twist. Later she grew her own tobacco, and smoked till within a day or two of her demise. A good patch of healthy potatoes near her late residence stands witness to her industry, and she was working on this bed when she was seized with illness two weeks ago. Her hearing and sight remained good up till the last, and she appeared to be able to think clearly. Raiha Teiri, eldest daughter of the deceased, from whom the bulk of this information was learned, claims that her mother owed her longevity to the fact that she alway ate the plainest of food and never entertained imported products. She lived a life of the simplest kind. From her mother Mere Temihi claimed direct descent from Tahu, one of the heroes who stepped ashore on Aotearoa from the Tainui canoe. The following is the line ancestry : Tahu, Tamakonohi, Teotaha, Hinetonga, Te Kenoterangi, Hinekaraka, Tane kaikore, Tuterangianiwhaniwa, Kautata, Hakianga, Tenohoaua, Temihi (who married Captain Cooper), and Mere Temihi (who married Paora Tuinga) i Paeroa, it is worthy of note, can also lay claim to the oldest lady in New Zealand, if not in the known world. Te Reita Paraone, who is reputed to be 120 years old, lives quietly with her daughter a short distance from the town. This grand old woman, who has unfortunately become enfeebled in her great old age, grew a second set of permanent teeth, which grew so long that they had to be removed recently. Though her sight is impaired, she can still get about with the aid of a stick, and hears and speaks fairly well.