NINETY-TWO—NOT OUT!

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 87, 9 October 1935, Page 17

NINETY-TWO—NOT OUT!

A WONDERFUL PIONEER

To have spent a lifetime of nearly a century at historic Kohimarama, on the shores of Auckland harbour, where her father.was one of the first settlers on the land, is the record of Miss Mary Atkin, who celebrated her 92nd birthday on' Monday. Miss Atkin, who retains memories of the first mission settlement, continues to enjoy excellent health and is still able to .work in the garden of her home, which stands on the site of the raupo house in which she was' born*, on .the slopes overlooking the' township, states the "New Zealand Herald."

Miss Atkins chief interest has always been in the Melanesian Mission, in the service of which her brother gave his life with Bishop Patteson, on the fateful visit to the island of Nukapu in 1871. She recalls the old St. Andrew's Mission College, at Kohimarama, in which boys from- the IS-: lands were trained for mission work in Melanesia -70; years ago. As many as 60 boys at" a time were trained in this college, commencing with the first six brought from the Solomons.by Bishop Selwyn. •

Owing to the.'fact that, when the training was carried put at St. John's College, some of the boys suffered from colds, the St. Andrew's College was established in the warmer area near the sea, and when the mission headquarters were moved to Norfolk Island in 1867 the use of St; Andrew's College was discontinued and two of the buildings were removed.

Miss Atkins brother was educated at the Church of England Grammar School, Parnell, and won a scholarship entitling him to study at St. John's College. He was ordained, in 1863. When in Melanesia he had charge of the mission's boats, and \yas'among those who put off in a boajt-from the Southern Cross at Nukapu in search of Bishop Patteson. With; a companion, Mr. Pearce, and a native boy, he was wounded by the natives,...but, although the others recovered Mr.Atkin died later from tetanus. .In the.jmeanr time he had conducted.-.the burial, service for Bishop/Pattesbh^v ' j'r^nC,;"v

In contrasting- life , today'" \yith\the difficulties which beset' the pioneers, Miss Atkin is able to' quote occasions on which, owing ,to the shortage of money, requirements were obtained by barter. When visiting Auckland, she said, her parents usually took with them butter • and exchanged it for groceries.

Many congratulations: were received by Miss Atkiii. on the occasion, of her birthday, and a.- deputation of scholars .from, the Kohimarama Anglican Sunday School presented her with a bouquet, thus marking their appreciation of the interest she. has I always taken in the school.