BIRTHDAY PARTY

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13269, 20 February 1941, Page 4

BIRTHDAY PARTY

MRS ISABELLA MUNRO

»» YEARS OLD YESTERDAY

j Mrs Munro who attained her 99th j birthday yesterday, was the recipient | of many congratulations from her [relatives and friends during the day. i Despite her great age, Mrs Munro, who has for many years been living with her son and daughter-in-law Mr and Mrs J. B. Munro of 9th Avenue, is in quite good health, with the exception of a slight failing in eyesight. She was pleased to receive many letters, birthday gifts, and telegrams conveying birthday greetings from all parts of the Dominion. These she accepted with a lively satisfaction. Among the gifts were some lovely bouquets and there was a birthday cake decorated with safety matches to form "99." During the day many friends called to chat and congratulate Mrs Munro, who entered into the spirit of the occasion with zest. She enjoyed the day with her three succeeding . generations—Mr J b Munro (son), Mr J. Munro (grandson), and Keitha (great-grand-daughter. ■ Mrs Munro has strong religious convictions, and does not hesitate to express her opinion on anything that impinges on the strong Scottish belief that has been her comfort in a long life. She also possesses a fund of humour which has a strong appeal so it is no wonder that she has so many friends, who pay the greatest respect to her words of wisdom and frank criticism. Mrs Munro was born in Lossiemouth, Scotland, and recounts reminisences in her early life. She remembers the first railway opened between Elgin and Lossiemouth Scotland. As the engine stood on the line, interested people speculated as to whether they were to travel m the boiler—the passenger trucks had been detached. Having started all were enjoying the novel trip though holding on for dear life when a horse appeared on the line and the train pulled up. Mrs Munro's father, who was also in the newfangled contraption said, "Well thank God we'll get along better with the horse pulling us." Mrs Munro's father and family were friends of the McDonald family, which in later years produced a Prime Minister of Britain, Mr Ramsay McDonald, with whom Mr J B Munro and Mr W. Munro, sons of Mrs I. Munro, went to school. Mrs Munro has many stories to tell. She is loved by her many friends who fondly call her "Granny."