MRS. T. HEWITT

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 45, 17 November 1936, Page 4

MRS. T. HEWITT

Born in New Zealand Ninety Years Ago

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

To have travelled with her people in two Maori war canoes in 1855 from Hie place where she was born. Orongorongo, to Woburn, Lower Hutt, where her parents took up their residence, aud to return on a visit to her former home GO years later in a luxurious limousine, is one of the unique experiences of Mrs. T. Hewitt, of Church Street, Palmerston North, who celebrated her ninetieth birthday on Friday last. Mrs. Hewitt recalls that she arrived in Lower Hutt at the time of the big earthquake (1855). She was only a child then, but she remembers having been carried out of the house and seen chimneys falling all around her. The shakes appeared to last over six weeks, she said. Mrs. Hewitt is a daughter of one of the early pioneers of the New Zealand Company, which was formed to found

the Wellington province. aud her father, Mr. Daniel Riddiford, was secretary and immigration agent for the company. She is the sole surviving member of the original Riddiford family. Mrs, Hewitt carries her age remarkably well, and is of a very bright and alert disposition. She still enjoys the best of health and continues her active interest in many good causes.

On November 13 Mrs. Hewitt attained the great age of 90 years, and the event was the occasion of a happy reunion and “gathering of the clan,” when there were over 50 guests present. The guest of honour was surrounded with lovely floral tributes and other tokens of affectionate esteem which had arrived from far and near. Members of the family who visited her during tile day, iu addition to Miss T. Hewitt, a daughter, who resides at home, were her daughter, Mrs. Willis, of Greatford: her sons, Messrs. Jack, Horace, and Francis Hewitt, of the Wairarapa: aud five great-grandchil-dren wore also in attendance, to mark tins important l anniversary. A son, Arthur, made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. Mrs. Hewitt received numerous telegrams, which included one from the mayor (Mr. A. E. Mansford) and councillors of Palmerston North, which she greatly appreciated, and several cablegrams. one of which was from her son, Colonel D. R. Hewitt, of England.

The monthly meeting of the Puketoi branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, was held recently. Mrs. Dickins presiding. The prize for the daintiest collection of articles for the fancy stall was won by Miss A. I’.ambry. It was decided to make handkerchiefs from salt bags for next month’s competition. The meeting concluded with afternoon tea. IRON IN YOUR BLOOD. ’ Without iron in your blood, nothing you eat does you any good; the health values of your food are lost. Thyrodone, the concentrated oyster extract produced under a protected process, supplies you with this iron and other health-giving minerals, making it, in consequence, a source of new vitality for young and old. 4/6 from E. T. Saunders Ltd., U.F.S. Dispensary, C. H. Perrett and other chemists.—Advt.