100TH BIRTHDAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 15 June 1936, Page 7

100TH BIRTHDAY

MRS HARRIET E. KNELL GOOD WISHES FROM. THE KING Much interest was taken on Thursday 4lh June, at the 100th birthday celebration of Mrs Harriet Elizabeth Knell, of Greytown, Wairarapa, many besides her family rallying round her to wish her well, and to congratulate her on her good health on such an important day. Mrs Knell is a sister of the late Dr. Boor, who was well known in Nelson in former years. Ho was Medical Superintendent of the Nelson Hospital and the Mental Hospital for nearly 60 years. Dr. Boor died in 1917 at the age of 92. Mrs R. C. Tennant, of Woodville; Mrs J. P. Kempthorue, of Seymour Eveiiue; Mrs IT. Burnett, of Hampden street ; and Miss Boor, Alton street; are nieces. Mrs Knell is the widow of the late Rev. A. Knell, and is a lady of exceptionally ability and attainments. Her intellect to-day is as keen as ever and her comments on current events so full of sense and information that a friend said recently, “Mrs Knell makes me feel a fool—l seem to know so little in comparison with her.” Her memory is equally good for present and past events a very rare thing in old people. Quite a “miniature reception” was helit at Airs Knell's house on Thursday. about sixty to seventy people coming in to see her and extend good wishes. Among these were the Rev. A. T. Page, the Rev. F. M. Ivempthornc (Wellington), the Rev. C. TI. and Mrs Isaacson, Dr. and Mrs Mules, Airs Tennant (sen.) (Woodville), Mr and Airs Cotter, Airs Drummond Hunter (Auckland), Mr R. P. Ward, C.8.E.. and Airs Ward, Air Mark Maxton, J.P., and many others. Afany messages were sent to Mrs Knell, but, of course that from the King took pride of place, and was as follows: “Airs Harriet Knell, Greytown, New Zealand. The King sends you hearty congratulations and good wishes on your 100th birthday.” Other messages came from England, Australia, and from all parts of the Dominion, over 100 being received. Archdeacon Averill, the Rev. Canon James, the Mayors of Greytown and Featherston, St. Luke’s Vestry, and the Wairarapa Club were among those who remembered this important day. The League of Mothers sent a lovely bouquet of flowers and other floral tributes were received and appreciated. The three-tier birthday cake was a feature of the proceeding's, having been made by Aliss Knell, artistically iced and decorated with the century symbol and Airs Knell's initials, instead of the usual candles.

Mrs Knell came to New Zealand in 1864, in the ship Wild Duck (Captain Bisliop) and after a brief residence in Wellington, went to Greytown, where she lias been for 72 years. She has been an excellent worker for the Church, having been organist at St. Luke’s for many years, as well as helping at concerts and entertainments. Before she left England, as a very young woman she had been resident in Constantinople, and was there during the Crimean War. She was a sister of Dr. Boor, who formally years in the very early days lived in the house at the corner of Bolton street and Wellington Terrace, afterwards occupied by Dr. Kemp, and later still by Dr. Henry. • The family consisted of three daughters and four sons. One of the latter, Air W. J. Knell, recently retired from the position of the manager of the Bank of New Zealand at Picton. He and his family now live at Greytown. Aliss A. Knell lives with her mother, and the other members of the family reside in different parts of the Dominion. Mrs Knell is a great-great-great aunt.