"QUEEN OF THE NORTH."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 96, 1 August 1910, Page 5

"QUEEN OF THE NORTH."

DEMISE OF AN INTERESTING PERSONALITY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A well-known resident of the north, Mrs. Annie Yates (widow oi the late Saimuel Yates) died at her residence, Parengarenga, yesterday. The deceased was the largest land-holder in the North Islaaid, Parengarenga being virtually a little kingdom of itself, and the late iMrs. Yates was long-known as "The Queen of the north." It was Mr. and Mrs. Yates who presented the 70 acre island to the Government on which Oape Maria van Diemen lighthouse is erected. The Yates' family own no less itihaa 67,501 acres freehold, and tuso lease aniother • 20,000 acres., This area includes all the moat northern portion of New Zealand from Te Reinga Point (wiliere the spirits of the old Maoris were supposed' to plunge off into the unknown) dtowin to Matapai, on the east coast. On the west coast for a succession of 00 to 70 miles the boundary i is the ocean beach faced with a succession of hills a:t the back of what is a well-watered, fairly level district.

Mrs. Yates was one of the most respected women of the north, and a most interesting body to talk to, as. she had her jnind stored with old Maori lore, being herself a descendant of the iVgapuihis. Deceased was of a kindly nature, although at the same time a good business woman, and managed her 'vast in» terests with the assistance of her sons since the decease of her husband; Deceased left three sons and three daughters. The eldest son, Mr. G. Yates, has attended to and; managed the estaite. and Mr. L. Yates is more intimately connected with the gum business. One daughter is married in England, and aniother is the wife of Mr. R. A. Crane, managing director of the Earners' Union at i Whangarei.