Jenkins family reunite in Raetihi
Harold Jenkins and two of his six sisters, Effie Harford and Eunice Mills, were the only ones of their family who were able to attend the Raetihi School Centennial, so decided to organise a reunion. Of the large extended family about 63 made the journey to Raetihi for the weekend, Friday 14 to Sunday 16 March. Family photos, books and pictures from their grandparents' and great-grandparents' era (prior to the 1 9 1 8 Great Fire of Raetihi) were on display, and each family had prepared their own immediate family tree. Allan Jenkins, a grandson of Harold' s, used a computer to collate details of each family. A bus trip was organised around town and photos and a video were taken. The trip included a visit to the Waimarino Museum in Raetihi, the school, the homes and sites where they once lived and worked. Some travelled to Pipiriki, where the family once had a home. One of the seven children, Masoria, was bom there and it is thought that she was the first Pakeha child
born in the village. Others in the family are Hazel Weston, the late Rita Loretz and the late Jess Deare. Ethel Allen's parents arrived from England in 1 840, settling in New Plymouth, the Jenkins family arrived and settled in Wellington. One of the sons Harold (snr) met and married Ethel on 8 February 1906, in a small country church in New Plymouth, then they came to Raetihi. Mr Jenkins was a Maori interpreter in Wanganui and Waimarino areas. They milked cows and were involved in missionary work in the district. The weekend's festivities were held at the Police Ski Club building — once the Druid's Hall where Rita's wedding reception had been held. Members attending the reunion came from as far afield as Australia, Papua New Guinea and from all round New Zealand. A great-grandson narrated his aunt' s (Jess Deare' s) account of the Great Raetihi Fire (1918) which is recorded in a book entitled 'Moments of Life' by George Lovetz.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/RUBUL19970401.2.23
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Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 680, 1 April 1997, Page 7
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342Jenkins family reunite in Raetihi Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 680, 1 April 1997, Page 7
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