SCIENTIST’S MOTHER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 286, 31 October 1933, Page 6

SCIENTIST’S MOTHER.

MRS JAMES RUTHERFORD. NINETY-FIRST BIRTHDAY. NEW PLYMOUTH, Oct. 30. The mother of the Empire’s greatest scientist, Mrs James Rutherford, celebrated her 91st birthday at her home at New Plymouth yesterday. She is the mother of twelve children, of whom one is Lord Rutherford of Nelson. She is as active as she was 40 years ago. She is a lover of method and a close follower of national and world affairs in the daily paper and by mail. She is an exemplary correspondent. There is an intimate motherly touch in the way Mrs Rutherford has followed every step of her distinguished son since the time of his winning the Tinline Scholarship for Nelson College in 1885, an achievement which placed him in the first niche of the great career he carved out for himself. Lord Rutherford went abroad in 1891, but in the fortnightly letters to his mother, carefully preserved, every step in his scientific discoveries can be followed. There is sufficient material in these documents for an intimate biographical study of the great man. There was a quiet gathering at Mrs Rutherford’s home yesterday to celebrate the anniversary. Archdeacon Emeritus F. G. Evans spoke in happy vein of the celebrations that would mark Mrs Rutherford’s 100th birthday. for, he said, she was so well that there seemed to be no reason why she should not reach the century. Eight of the family of twelve are still alive. The daughters are Mesdames M. P. Chapman (Frasertown, (Hawke’s Bay), H. G. Streiff (Te Aroha). H. G. Sergei (Hamilton) and L. T. Bell (Kaitaia); and the sons are Ernest (Lord Rutherford) and Messrs George (Auckland), James (New Plymouth), and Arthur (To Aroha). Mrs Rutherford’s only surviving brother is Mr Charles Thompson (Moutere, Nelson). Mr Edward Jeffries (Spring Grove, Nelson) is a step-brotlier. Her husband died several years ago.