90 YEARS OLD

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 2

90 YEARS OLD

Mrs E. Turner, Of Waimate

A Waimate pioneer, Mrs E. Turner, celebrated her ninetieth birthday recently. Born in Christchurch, Mrs Turner went to Waimate as a small child when much of the flats were covered in bush that was later razed by fire. She remembers her father, a traction-engine, driver, helping to fight the big fire; she remembers bul-lock-waggon transport and a mere scattering of houses over' the plains.

For about 21 years Mrs Turner conducted a private maternity home in Parsonage road, Waimate. Her proud record is that she never lost a mother or a baby at the home.

Mrs Turner still spends much of her spare time crocheting. Samples of her work have sold readily each year at community sings held by Toe H. From a family of nine children, Mrs Turner has 55 grandchildren, 80 great-grandchild-ren and nine great-great-grandchildren 153 direct descendants. Mrs Turner now lives with her eldest son, Mr John Turner, of Mill road, Waimate.