WAIKATO CENTENARIAN

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20259, 30 July 1937, Page 8

WAIKATO CENTENARIAN

MR ENOS HOLLOW’AY. LAST OF 40TH REGIMENT. MEMORIES OF MAORI WARS. Queen Victoria had only a few months before ascended the Throne of England and had not been crowned when Mr Enos Holloway, of Morrinsville, the Waikato's oldest resident, was born in the village of Halburton, Devonshire, in 1837. He will celebrate his one hundredth birthday to-morrow. Although he has not been beyond his front gate for over a year, lie still enjoys good health and when interviewed by a Waikato Times reporter yesterday he conversed freely and was looking forward to the great day. His hearing, is perfectly normal. An old soldier himself, the last of the 40th. Foot Regiment, which landed in New Zealand in 1860 and the proud survivor of four reigns, Mr Holloway witnessed the Coronation parade of the Morrinsville ex-servicemen a few weeks ago and was made the recipient of a special presentation by the returned soldiers.

A miller and baker by trade, Mr Holloway’s father was engaged in contract work on the Great Western Railway line, which was then under construction from Bristol to Devonshire, but his son, at the age of 18, joined Hie 40th Foot Regiment. In 1855 lie left England to go to Australia. The sailing ship Windsor, which carried the 400 members of Mr Holloway's regiment and another to their new home, was wrecked when coming into the Melbourne Harbour. The pilot, who was on board, drove her on to the sand banks thus saving tiie ship from being destroyed before the crew and passengers were taken off in smaller boats. War In New Zealand. For four years Mr Holloway remainin Australia, where his regiment was engaged in keeping order on the goldfields. He then crossed over to Tasmania and in 1860 came to New Zealand, following the outbreak of hostilities between the Maoris and Europeans in Taranaki. Mr Holloway was actively engaged in the first battle at Puketekauri near Waitara. "Through misfortune and bad management we lost the battle," said Mr Holloway. “We surrounded the pa and expecting the 65th Regiment to come up we lay under cover until early next morning when the reinforcements were due to arrive. They did not come. The excuse made was that they could not cross the river. The attack was launched, and the 40th left GO men out of 200 odd dead and wounded on the field. The only help forthcoming was 50 sailors from the ship Pelorous, which happened to be close by." In (he same battle Mr Holloway was a fortunate survivor of a reconnoitering party of 17, who were approaching the pa. when they were met by a volley from in front. Rewi Maniapoto, the chief who issued Hie challenge to Hie white forces at Orakau. had arrived with a war party of 400 men. Mr Holloway and two others escaped alive. The Waikato Affair. conclusion of the Taranaki affair, Mr Holloway went to Onehunga, but news came through that there was a fresh outbreak in the Waikato and he wenf with his old regiment into this district. Here he was engagen with the party who erected tlie first telegraph wire from Auckland to Drury. He then Joined the commissariat and went to Rangiriri, Ngaruawahia, Te Rore and Te Awamutu. After ihe battle of Orakau he married and settled down, later going to Cambridge, where he was engaged in the bakery business and then to Te Awamutu, where he carried on the trade for six or seven years. He had been in the 40th Foot Regiment for over 11 years. In 1900 he went to Morrinsville. There he has lived ever since and in the same house.

“I am not particularly interested in the affairs of the world, but I am in the affairs of the country," Mr Holloway replied in answer to a question as to what he thought of the international situation. "I can read large print without glasses and subscribe to three newspapers. I also enjoy listening to the wireless,” he continued. His opinions of the present Government were to the effect that Mr Savage was doing his best for the country. By trying to improve the conditions of the working classes he could not, go far wrong, for at one time they tiad tho hardest jobs and got, the least reward. The people must not waste their money. said Mr Holloway. Too much is spent on picture shows and other luxuries. The fast means- of travel are the cause of the trouble. “In my day you had to saddle a horse and ride if you wanted to go out for an evening. Now you Just get info a car and you are there In no time.” Too Much Drinking. ‘‘Some people think the world is improving in piety but It is not. There are too many dances and parties for that," said Mr Holloway. “There is too much drinking and too much thieving these days. I have never drunk lo excess, only to quench my thirst but people don’t do that now. i don’t approve of women drinking either,” ho said. Recently Mr Holloway had a button. belonging lo the 40th Light Foot Regiment, sent to him from the “Bluff’ near Mercer, where it had been dug up. He said it must have been lost at the Queen’s Redoubt engagement in 1863. Mr Holloway expects a large gathering al his home to-morrow, consisting of his many friends and relations. He said several people were coming as they had never seen a man aged one hundred. “Most people expect to see i bent and decrepit figure with a .wrinkled fare." said Mr Holloway, “but thev will gel a surprise.” A son. Mr S. Holloway, has lived with 11 is fa I her since Hie death of his mother some years ago. There are two other sons. Mr G. E. Holloway, of I’ap.-I toe I or. and Mr \Y. H. Holloway of SI. Hellers Bay. Auckland, and three daughters, Mrs \Y. Beil and Mrs A. Tozer, of Papatoetoe. and Mrs E. Clarke, of Te Awamutu. There are 21 grandchildren and six great-grand-children.