MAORI WOMAN DIES AT AGE OF 108

Northern Advocate, 22 January 1947, Page 3

MAORI WOMAN DIES AT AGE OF 108

(Special) KAITAIA, This Day. KNOWN to be at least 108 years old. Mrs Kaa Himiona I’opata, of Famapuria, died on Monday.

Slk> w;u: wjil known in the Man* iiinji County ;inrl held the distinction l bping the oldest number ol ;i family i five living generations.

Her family tree had many branches, more than GO direct descendants being alive today.

Mrs Popata maintained her faculties until her death and of recent years war a keen student of the Bible.

Her knowledge of early Maori cus toms and legend was unlimited.

■ She held the interest of many with ; tales ot the days when the Dominion’s ; history was voting. ! Keenly interested in weaving, she ! had many fine mats and articles to her credit.

: Until the later years of her life, she ' w:i: an active gardener. 1 Born in To Kao Mrs Popata married 'a former chieftain of the Ngaitohianga '■Hid. T<: Paatu tribes. Her husband !predeceased her about 32 years ago. I Three daughters are still alive, the 'eldest bring 84 years of age. ! The youngest recently started to i draw the old age pension. The daughters are Mesdames A. Walker, of Onehunga M. Latimer, of Ml. Eden, and ;M Murray, of Takahue. There are j also 12 great great great grandchildren, j A three-day tangi is now in progress. : Relatives from as far afield as Te Kao. jHckianga, Auckland and Kaikohe will be in attendance.