EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 48, 19 November 1932, Page 6

EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY

Mrs. C. 11. Mills, Senr. Mrs C. H. Mills, senior, widow of the late Hon. C. H. Mills, celebrated her 80th birthday recently amid the congratulations of a large number of friends and well-wishers. Born in Perth, Scotland, in 1802, Mrs. Mills arrived at Nelson with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. John Morrison, in 1856 by the ship Inchemann. She was married to. Mr. Mills by the Rev. Mr. Johnston at Nelson Cathedral on January 24, 1870, at the age of 17 years, and left Nelson for her new home at Havelock, riding on horseback over the Maungatapu bridle track. At that time there was no road to Blenheim or to Nelson and the young bride had to ford rivers 16 times before reaching her destination. She well remembers the first vehicle—a dray owned by Mr. AV. Douslin, of Blenheim —going through from Blenheim to Havelock. Surviving members of the family are Miss Cora E. Mills (Blenheim), Mr. Irvine Mills (Whakaronga, Palmerston North), Mr. C. H. Mills (Blenheim), Mrs. Vivian Donald (Masterton), Mrs. C Harbottle (Wellington), and Miss Grace E. Mills (Blenheim). There are 19 grandchildren apt! one great grandchild.