A LINK WITH THE DIM PAST

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 33, 2 November 1928, Page 10

A LINK WITH THE DIM PAST

DEATH OF MRS. H. H. REYNOLDS . Dominion Special Service. Auckland, October 31. A link with the days long before the first. Maori wars, a relative of the Maori ‘•King” Tawhaio, and for long a highly respected resident of Waipa Valley, Mrs. H. 11. Reynolds, died at her home, Kaipiha, I’irongia. at the age of 104. lie' l ' father was Mr. Payne, and her native name was Mihi Nepene (Maori tor Payne). Her mother was a native. Airs. Reynolds's age was reckoned from the date of a famous tribal battle, believed to be Pukerangiora. She was a very intelligent and interesting personality, anil could relate the causes of the Maori wars, and describe the peaceful settlements in Waipa Valley years before the coming or the war. In those days, wheat was cultivated by the Maoris, and there were little mills by the riversides where wheat was ground between two flat stones into flour. Goats were milked, and the Maoris were busy farmers. Then the war cninc ami spoiled their simple civilisation. J.lie goats became wild, and roamed on tlie sides of the bush-ehul Pirongia mountain. Mrs. Reynolds was a friend of the laic Captain Gilbert Mair. When the war broke out her brothers joined m. Hie elder half-brothers fighting with the 1 atelias. ami the younger with the Maoris, while the youngest, Peter, then a boy oi nine or ton years, was too young to enlist. He ran remember the eating.ot white captives by the Maoris.