101 YEARS OLD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3991, 31 August 1929, Page 1

101 YEARS OLD.

MRiS. \V|MJAM OBWSTON’S BIMHDAT. Mrs. William Ormiston, of Onehunga, was 101 years old yesterday. In 1828, when George IV was King and the Duke of Wellington was England’s Prime Minister, Mrs. Ormiston was born at Launceston, Cornwall. To-day she bids fair to establish l a New Zealand record for longevity, a nd enjoys good health into the bargain. “I never miss a meal, and I am absolutely free of all aches and pains,” said Mrs. Ormiston to-day. Born before! the advent oj; the railway, the steamship, or the telegraph, she tells of visits paid by John Wesley to the home of her grandfather when she was a child. She arrived in New Zealand 68 years ago, to join her late husband, William Ormiston, who had taken up land at Mangapai, near Whangarei. On the outbreak of the Maori War the family was compelled t o abandon the property and (lee to Auckland, but on the cessation of hostilities Mr. Ormiston returned to his farm, where he died in 1874. For many years he represented Hobson in the old Provincial Council. Mrs. Ormiston, left with three sons and four daughters, carried on until she sold out jn 1885. For the past -20 years she has lived with her daughter, Mrs. West, at Onehunga. 'She ascribes her great age and good health to a simple diet based on wholemeal bread. , “I have eaten brown bread all my life.” she said. “In our young days we gfrew our own wheat and ground it in our own hand mill.” She has been connected with the Methodist Church all her life, and is a firm believer in the cultivation of a 'Contented mind, and giving thanks to God for all his blessings. Mil’s. Ormiston holds also a decided 'opinion on the question of women’s dress. ‘‘Short skirts!” she said; “they should be condemned from the pulpit. They aire perfectly horrid; it’s rubbish to say the wearing of them is healthy.” .