ONE HUNDRED TODAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 June 1938, Page 8

ONE HUNDRED TODAY

MRS REYNOLDS CELEBRATES

BIRTHDAY

NOTABLE FAMILY REUNION.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE KING.

One hundred years old today, Mrs M. Reynolds, of Renall Street, Masterton, still active and taking an interest in present day affairs, was able to thoroughly enjoy this milestone in her life. The occasion brought together every surviving member of her family. Mrs Reynolds, who carries her age remarkably well, has lived in Masterton for the past thirty years. She was the recipient of many messages of congratulations, including one from King George VI. BRIGHT AND HAPPY. Although she has reached the century, Mrs Reynolds looks considerably younger. She possesses a charming personality and is a bright and happy soul. Except for some difficulty in hearing, she enjoys the full use of her faculties, the most remarkable of which is her exceptionally keen eyesight. Referring to her sewing, when interviewed by a “Times’Age” representative, she said: “I use my glasses to thread the needle and then throw them away.” For many years past she had made Peggy squares for the Plunket Society and in this way she has done her part, even at her advanced age, in extending a helping hand to those in need. The spirit in which this work is undertaken is well indicated in her own words.

AN INDOMITABLE SPIRIT.

‘The Plunket Society know -1 can sew,” observed ’ Mrs Reynolds, “but they have given me no work lately. Perhaps they think I don’t want it, but I do, I don’t like being idle.” Those last words of Mrs Reynolds “I don’t like being idle,” uttered in all sincerity, by a lady of one hundred years shows the indomitable spirit she possesses —one that is an example to many younger folk. Besides knitting, Mrs Reynolds is able to do hemstitching of a high class —fine, delicate work that would be a credit to a woman in the prime of life. Mrs Reynolds owes much of her vigour and long life to the golden rule of having plenty of fresh air and sunshine. She makes full use of her sun porch and enjoys a daily car ride. She converses fluently and enjoys nothing better than to recall the days of her youth—the real pioneering days in the Wairarapa when the district was covered in a dense growth of forest and scrub. AN EARLY ARRIVAL. Born in Middlesex. England, Mrs Reynolds was married in England and came out to New Zealand immediately afterwards, arriving here, at the age of 26 years, in 1864. With her husband, she settled at “Mayfield,” East Taratahi, a property that in later years became well known throughout the Wairarapa. When Mr and Mrs Reynolds took up their residence there the whole area was nothing but a thick mass of manuka. Their first shelter was a small whare and all cooking was done in a camp oven. Under these primitive conditions Mrs Reynolds reared a family of nine sons and two daughters. All travelling was done on horseback- About every fortnight a visit was paid to Greytown, fourteen miles away, in those days the principal town of the Wairarapa. Goods were

delivered to the farm by a bullock dray. Following on the death of her husband, 32 years ago, Mrs Reynolds took up her residence in Masterton, where she has lived ever since. INCIDENTS WITH MAORIS. In the early days Mrs Reynolds came in constant contact with parties of Maoris, who frequently visited the house to borrow articles. “I didn’t like them very well at first,” said Mrs Reynolds, recalling these events, “but Mr Reynolds always told me that I didn’t want to show them that I was timid and I didn’t. I used to put the fire out so they would not know that I was home. They used to come inside sometimes. They came into borrow, admire the things in the house and to sit down and have a smoke. They were very friendly and used to take an ember from the fire to light their pipes. On one occasion they borrowed a big boiler to make lillipe (flour and water) and brought it back clean and bright. They knew Mr Reynolds very well and called him Renata. I think they were very honest people. I never heard of their doing any stealing, oh no, never.” TODAY'S CELEBRATION. Mrs Reynolds, who is enjoying particularly good health, was up this morning at 7 o’clock and was soon busy sewing. She is celebrating the occasion in the best of spirits. A centre of interest is a beautiful birthday cake, graced with a hundred candles. Among the many congratulatory messages received was the following from the King and Queen: —- “The King and Queen are much interested to hear that you are celebrating your hundredth birthday and send you hearty congratulations and., good wishes on this memorable occasion.”