NEWS FOR WOMEN RICCARTON WOMAN 103 YEARS OLD ON MAY 24

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27663, 20 May 1955, Page 2

NEWS FOR WOMEN RICCARTON WOMAN 103 YEARS OLD ON MAY 24

Among the thousands interested in the result of the British elections next Thursday, there are probably few centenarians, and fewer still as keenly alert as is Mrs Agnes Nixon, of Riccarton road. Christchurch, who will celebrate her one hundredth and third birthday next Tuesday—Empire Day and the birthday of Queen Victoria. Mrs Nixon is mentally alert and enjoys good health. She rises every day about noon, and sitting fully dressed, she enjoys watching the traffic on Riccarton road and noting its remarkable increase in volume in recent years. Mrs Nixon takes an interest in current affairs, and in the news in “The Press” each day. Members of her large family have a fine record of service in the 1914-1918 war—a record of which their mother may well be proud. One daughter, Miss Elizabeth Nixon (now Mrs Plowman, of Lyttelton) went overseas in 1914 with the first 50 nurses sent to the war from New Zealand, and became matron of Codford Hospital, England. Another daughter, Miss Margaret Nixon, served overseas as a nurse and a masseuse, and now lives with her mother in Christchurch. Messrs William and Douglas Nixon saw service throughout the 1914-1918

war, and Mr Robert Nixon was in military camp for some time. Mrs Nixon, whose maiden name was Currie, was born in Scotland, and came to New Zealand with her parents when she was 10. She still remembers the Scottish songs of her childhood, and sings them softly tq herself. She was married in 1874 to Mr John Nixon, from County Down, Ireland. Mr Nixon came to New Zealand in 1864 in the William Miles. He was brought up on his father’s farm. Mr Nixon bought a farm at Waitohi Flat, near Temuka, and in 1883 moved with his family to Fairlie, and bought the first part of his farm, Springvale. There he gradually extended the area of his property to 1600 acres. He was the first man to grow wheat at Fairlie. He died 36 years ago. Mr and Mrs Nixon had 11 children, five sons and six daughters. One son, Mr Stuart Nixon, and one daughter, Miss Jan Nixon, have died. Another daughter, Mrs Douglas Mullen, the wife of an engineer, lives in Melbourne. Several members of the family live in Christchurch. Friends of her own and of her family in town and country will join in offering good wishes to Mrs Nixon on her birthday.