Claims Family To Be Oldest In The World

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1022, 12 July 1930, Page 6

Claims Family To Be Oldest In The World

Father and Children Aggregate 950 Years EARLY PIONEERING DAYS (By R. J. E., Whangarei.) It is possible that the claim by Mr. Charles Hawken, of Maunu, near Whangarei, that his family, on an aggregate of ages, is the oldest in the world, will not be contested, by any other New Zealander, at least. Inquiries by relatives of Mr. Hawken appear to substantiate his claim. The ages of Mr. Hawken and his 16 living children reach a total of 950 years. A visit to Mr. Hawken’s farm at Maunu revives a host of memories. It recalls the spirit of the early pioneers who came to New Zealand bent on establishing homes in wildernesses and the shaping of a secure destiny. There was no element of speculation then, just purpose. In that is a contrast with the restless, modern craving for change. At Maunu are spleifdid stone walls, constructed half a century ago, typifying the earnestness of pioneering life.

Seventy-three years have passed since Charles Hawken, a youth of 17 years old, left his home in St. Austell parish, Cornwall, on his venture into the new colonies of the Southern Hemisphere. He first went

to Australia, and, after adventurous Journeyings there for two years, he came to New Zealand. On disembarking from the Lord Wolseley at Auckland, he found the Kate Grant was sailing for Whangarei the same evening, and he took ship again. After two years on his father’s farm at Whangarei, Charles Hawken went to Pukekolie, which, even then, was famed for productiveness. The Maori War broke out and the house in which he was living was the first of several to be burned down. He declined at first to accompany the escort which had I—jen sent, from Auckland to protect the settlers, but subsequently decided -to leave the district. In the church at Drury he spent a night with 70 other refugees. After tramping to Auckland along bush tracks, he returned to Whangarei. In 1862, Mr. Hawken took up land at Maungatapere. He married Miss Elizabeth Udy, who died 36 years ago and whose parents lived at Mount Eden. There were 19 children, three dying in infancy. Mr. Hawken extended his farm from 125 acres to 500, and, after 24 years, moved to Maunu. From a useless waste of fern and stone, the land has developed into rich pastures. On the property are seven miles of stone walls, monuments to the industry of Mr. Hawken. 4 There are nine daughters and seven sons living. The eldest is 66; the youngest 44. Of the daughters, Kate, Jane and Gloria live in Whangarei; Maria in Auckland; Amy (Mrs. IL Turner), Tangihua; Bertha (Mrs. Brown), Tuakau; Olive (Mrs. G. Udy), Pakuranga; Vera, Maunu; and Nina (Mrs. E. Alderton), Papakura. The sons are Charles, living at Auroa; Ralph, Maunu; Darcy, Maungatapere; Archibald, Whakatane; Gordon, Bert and Frederick, Maunu. When he was 73, Mr. Hawken journeyed to England, only to find few remembrances of his life there.

He was 90 in May last and enjoys excellent health. He is a familiar figure in the Whangarei district. Brothers of Mr. Hawken who are still living at Mr. Gilbert Hawken, aged 82, of Auckland; Mr. William Hawken, 80, of Maungatapere; and Mr. Henry Hawken, aged 78, of Onehunga. Mr. Hawken is uncertain of the number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.