Centenarians.

Manawatu Herald, 9 February 1899, Page 3

Centenarians.

The Mail says that Otaki probably can claim the oldest pensioner. " Old Henewia" could supply no definite information as to her age, but from the guiding cues she gave of historical events that occurred in her childhood, she exhibited much more intelligence than other claimants a quarter of a century her junior. She said she clearly remembered journeying along with the famous Rauparaha and his followers when that mighty chief made his first crusade down this coast from the Waikato. This was in 1819. Hecevrift explained that at that time she was a full grown, marriageable woman. From this and similar evidence and from the testimony of her brother Hakarea, who must be considerably, over 80, and who was the youngest of a very large family, of which Henewia was the eldest, the assessed age of 102 must be very close to the mark. Henewia is bent quite double, and has subsisted for years on little else than potatoes and water. We hope the luxuries that the pension will bring will have no ill effect on.this hardy centenarian. In respect to age Henewia has a rival in the South, for it will be remembered that a pension : was granted by the Court at Rangiora to a man who is also 102 years of age.