Claims To Be Oldest Living Aucklander

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 288, 25 February 1928, Page 1

Claims To Be Oldest Living Aucklander

55 YEARS UN ONE HOUSE ATTENDED ST. THOMAS’S AT TAMAKI Mrs. Martha Carter, in her 85tU year, is still another claimant for the honour of being the oldest living Aucklander born. Even if Mrs. Carter cannot substantiate his assertion —and she is not very seriously concerned with it —she has another perhaps more difficult to emulate. For 55 years Mrs. Carter has resided »t her neat little home, No. 34 Ireland Street, Ponsonby. Can any other Aucklander say they have lived in one house for a longer period? Originally the stout little kauri cottage comprised two rooms. As time went on. however, and the Carter family increased, another storey and several rooms at the back were added. As a matter of fact, Mrs. Carter has resided in Ponsonby longer than this. For a year or so, prior to going to Ireland Street, she lived in the immediate neighbourhood-. Mrs. Carter was born within sight of the Church of St. Thomas at Tamaki, on August 27, 1843, the year after ner parents, who came of English yeoman jitock, had landed in the "Waitemata. In the years that folloAved she attended service and Sunday school at the quaint little stone church, which has fallen into ruin. RUIN OF ST. THOMAS’S

The roof of the church, with its memories of Bishops fclelwyri and Patteson, is the clear, blue canopy of heaven. It knows no other. The ruined chapel stands in a field, surrounded by weeds, neglected, forlorn, a reproach to the passer by. “A pity. Yes. a great pity/* agreed the oid lady, who knew it when it housed the faithful at service. With much pride, Mrs. Carter produced a photograph of the first Bishop Selwyn. “A good man,” she observed. “A splendid man.” The visits of Mrs. Selwyn to the schoolroom at Tamaki were likewise recalled. The Bishop’s lady would talk to the children. The passing of 80 years has not dimmed the impression in the mind of Martha Carter of Mrs. Selwyn and her solicitude for the children at the Tamaki School. Came the troublesome days of the Waikato War. Well does Mrs. Carter recall the threat of the Kingite Maoris to “sweep the pakeha into the sea!” At that time her parents were living on their farm near Brookby. A young mother then, with her first-born in her arms, she remembers vividly how every available space In the little cottage in Hobson Street was occupied with impromptu beds. Alarmed by the attitude of the natives, Mrs. Carter's relatives lost no time in seeking her hospitality. Similar conditions reigned throughout Auckland Town. The Hobson Street cottage, one of a trio that for many years withstood the Juggernaut of commerce, was pulled down only a few days ago. Who can imagine John Court’s corner a swamp? When watercress, luscious and green, could be had for the picking? Mrs. Carter can. For 25 years she has been a widow. Frederick Carter, her husband, died in 1902. “And such a one he was, too, for horses,” she related with modest pride. Th€ i re are 27 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, she would tell you Not content with her 12 babies, eight whom are living, she has taken a Keen interest in others less fortunate. Mrs. Carter is a foundation member of the Baptist Home Committee. Mrs. Carter’s parents, both sturdy pioneers, lived to a considerable age. John Embling, her father, was 92 when he died, and her mother was 77. Mrs. Carter is remarkably active. . The suggestion that she might require assistance in her household duties ■**as indignantly repudiated. “I do it all myself, and why shouldn’t I?” she demanded. the secret of it

£he can still conduct her corresppndence without the help of glasses, though s*he likes their comfort for reading and, time permits, for fancy-work. The years have not pressed heavily upon her. And the secret of it all? There was only one answer. "Hard work." replied Mrs. Carter, without the slightest hesitation. “It has never killed anybody yet, as far as I know!”