NINETY-SECOND BIRTHDAY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 229, 26 August 1940, Page 9

NINETY-SECOND BIRTHDAY.

Allis S. A. McMURRAY. Airs Sarali Anne AlcAlurray, of Ada Street, Palmerston North, celebrated her 92nd birthday to day. Still retaining all her faculties except ior slight deafness and failing sight, Mrs AlcAlurray was able to enjoy a family gathering yesterday. Aliss E. Al. AlcAlurray had made a birthday cake with 92 candles for the occasion. Born in Nelson, Airs AlcAlurray is a daughter of tho late Captain S. B. Silcock. of England, being the third of a family of 14- Captain Silcock took up land at Nelson in 1842. In 1872 Aliss Sarah Silcock (as she then was) married Air Robert AlcAlurray, removing a short distance to his farm at “Thorneycroft,” Brightwater. Not long afterwards Air AlcAlurray took up land in the heart of dense bush in the Inanga'hua Valley, AVestland and. after carrying on the work at “Thorneycroft” for two years, Airs AlcAlurray joined him. She journeyed to Westport bv sea and there her husband met her. They had to go fifty miles up a narrow, muddy bush track, Aire AlcAlurray riding, with Air AlcAlurray walking beside her. Supplies of groceries .were only brought at three-monthly intervals and there was I little contact with the outside world. Besides making butter, cheese, camp oven bread, candles, and all the other requirements, even the children’s shoes, Airs AlcAlurray made toys and furniture, taught the children, looked after the garden and kept up her singing. Eventually, Air and Airs AlcAlurray and their four children moved to the North Island, settling on a farm at Awalmri for six years. Their next move was to AVanganui, where Mr AlcAlurray acquired an interest in the cargo boat Gertie, carrying coal and timber from the West Coast to and from Australia. Although she was then over 50 years old, Airs AlcAlurray joined, the Technical School classes in relief carving and has made many beautiful articles fo adorn her own home and those of her relatives and friends. Her other handiwork has included 23 patchworkquilts, also fine crocheted car rugs, all kinds of wool work and slippers. When she was over 70 this energetic lady learned to make exquisite pillow lace and last Christmas she made no fewer than 29 wooden articles as gifts. At present she' is making dainty leather posies for patriotic funds. The AlcAlurray family came to Palmerston North in 1914 and Air AlcAlurray died 13 years ago. There were six children of the marriage, of whom four are living—Air Robert AlcAlurray (Palmerston North). Air A. T. McMttrrav (Bulls). Airs P. R. Ryan (Wanganui) and Aliss E. M. AlcAlurray, who lives with her mother. There are 11 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, also one brother, Air S. B. Silcock, of Hope, Nelson.