A NONAGENARIAN.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 February 1927, Page 4

A NONAGENARIAN.

HONOURING A BIRTHDAY MR HENRY BETTS, OKAIAWA. To reach the age of ninety is an event rare enough in these days: to celebrate one's ninetieth birthday with physical and mental faculties been and bright is given to comparatively few. So it was fitting that family and friends, old and new, .should gather round to honour the attainment of that age by Mr Henry !Betts, of Okaiawa, which happy event took place yesterday. The day was fine and warm, perfectly suited to" an afternoon party in the lovely garden and grounds, the planning, building and planting of which have been one of the life works of a hardy, vigorous pioneer settler. Surrounded by his family down to the fourth generation —there were four son, present, Messrs E. J., C. E., H. L., and E. G., and one daughter, Miss Betts, nine grand-children, and one great-grandchild-—Mr Betts was the centre of a gathering of friends from all over the province and from as far away as Dunedin, all of whom had come to wish him the heartiest good wishes and many happy returns of the day. It is worth special remark that amongst the many guests were no less than nine who were over seventy years of age, and of these two were well over eighty and one only a few months off ninety —Messrs George Syme, 89; A. D. Cunnabell, 86; G. Washer, 83; D. Ginger, 79; T. Lloyd, 77; J.. Thomas and J. Dakers, 76; J. Finlay and J. Meuli, 72. COMPLIMENTARY.

Mr Andrew Lees, who acted as M.C., expressed the pleasure of all at being present on Mr Betts's ninetieth birthday. Mr Betts was a man who was held in the highest respect and esteem by the whole community. He was, said Mr Lees, one of the pioneers, a man who had come here nearly fortyfive years ago and had helped to make the rough land into the smiling farms to be seen nowadays. He said all in Okaiawa rejoiced that Mr Betts, had such good health and considered him as a worthy friend. Referring to the school, Mr Lees said that there never had been a function at which Mr Betts or some of the family had not assisted, and he hoped it would long continue. For the people of the district he wished Mr Betts long life and happiness. Mr J. Finlay, speaking for the veterans, said that the pioneers had been noted for their health, their vigour of body and mind, and they made the country prosperous and were a happy people. He Congratulated Mr Betts on behalf of the veterans of the district and province and wished him many years still of good health. Mr D. M. Cameron, an Okaiawa friend, said he had known Mr Betts almost ever since he came to the district, and he and his family had always helped any good cause. He had also taken an active part in bringing the land from its rough condition to its present state of cultivation. Mr Betts had been a public benefactor; he had not a single enemy, and was looked up to by young and old and was an inspiration to all to lead a good life. Okaiawa tendered its hearty congratulations on his ninetieth birthday. Mr B. C. Bennett had the greatest pleasure in adding his congratulations and in hoping that Mr Betts might live to see his “century” birthday. He said that the presence of such a large and representative gathering spoke volumes for the appreciation and esteem in which he was held.

Mr R. Dunn humorously said he had been waiting for ten years for this day, having been present on Mr Betts’s eightieth birthday. He recalled that he had first met Mr Betts in connection with work on the Waimnte Horticultural Society. The family had always helped in district affairs wherever it was possible. He was pleased and proud to speak in eulogy of Mr Betts, who was held in the highest respect by all. ' PRESENTATION.

Mr J. B. Murdoch said he had ibeen given the honour and privilege of making the presentation from many friends at a gathering of such a nature as was rarely seen in the Dominion. He first had the pleasure of handing Mr Betts an illuminated address as a mark of appreciation and regard from all present whose signatures were attached. The address read as below: —■

“Dear Mr Betts, —Your friends assembled to-day on the occasion of your 90th birthday —and many who cannot bo present join with us —greet you with the heartiest goodwill. '‘During your long residence of nearly half a century in this district you have endeared yourself to its people. Your kindliness of nature, rectitude of character, and fortitude in all circumstances of life have earned you universal esteem and respect. “We congratulate you on having around you to-day so many of your family, also upon the unimpaired mental faculties and the measure of bodily health with which you are blessed at so advanced an age—happy circumstances which make this a joyous occasion indeed.

“We trust that you will be spared to remain with us for years to come, to be an inspiration for the cultivation of those qualities of character exhibited by pioneers like 'yourself who have won the esteem of their fellows and the gratitude of those who have followed.

“It is our earnest prayer that in these years you will be blessed with all the happiness which may be brought by good health and mental vigour, the affection of a united family, and the esteem of a wealth of friends. ’ ’ He lin'd also to present, with the address, a more tangible gift, a gold watch. The presentation was accompanied by the singing of “For he’s a jolly good fellow. ’ ’ Hearty cheers, prolonged for some time, greeted the veteran as he rose to reply. He said he hoped to be able to meet his old friends again for at least ten years, and added he would have another barrel of wine put down in honour of the occasion. He said humorously that he was a “devil to work, but could not talk,” and he wittily referred to the happenings of a winter 's night ninety years ago, as his first recollection of life on this planet. After a year at school ho went to work, and had been aty work ever since. At eighteen he wanted to emigrate to America, and then a few years later was attraeetd by the diamond rush to Africa, but his mother had persuaded him not to go. But then he got married and had a family, and when Sir Julius Vogel’s immigration scheme was mqotcd and Dr Peatherston came to England as his agent, he . was able to come out to New Zealand, being regarded as a desirable settler, because, besides having a family, he could plough, sow, reap and mow, and do all kinds of farm work. “I have never regretted that I and my family came to this fair land,” ho added.

After a spell in 'Canterbury, he was attracted by Taranaki, and took up,

forty-four years ago, the farm on which he still lives. The speech, so apt and so full of life and humour and with such a kindly human touch, was greeted with hearty cheers. The address was signed by all present, and Mr Betts autographed a number of greeting cards, in which was his own photograph, and one of these was handed to each friend present as a souvenir of the great occasion. During the afternoon an excellent programme of vocal, instrumental and elocutionary items was given by Mrs (Capt.) Crawford (Sydney), Mrs CRobb, Miss Penn, Messrs Edmondson, 11. L. Betts and J. Higliam, and all \ were heartily enjoyed. § A dainty afternoon tea was provided, the central attraction including a handsome two-tier birthday cake. The icing, very artistically done, was the work of Mrs A. Lees.