YOUNG AT NINETY-SIX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18495, 4 September 1923, Page 9

YOUNG AT NINETY-SIX.

AGED COLONIST'S BIRTHDAY.

EARLY- DAYS AT MANGAPAL>

MRS. W. ORMISTON, OF ONEHUNGA

One of Auckland's oldfi.it pioneer colonists, Mrs. W. Ormiston; has just celebrated her ninety-sixth birthday, . when a large gathering of relatives assembled at the residence cf her daughter, Mrs. West. Church Street, Onehunga, in honour of the occasion. Many letters and telegrams from relations also conveyed to this aged lady the loving greetings and congratulations of those unable to bo present, and the day was ono of good cheer and rejoicing, v marking an unique milestone in the passing of an eventide of peace and quiet happiness. Auckland has many pioneer men and women who are showing i the younger generation how to bo young at 80 or 90, but there are very, very few to bo found in those -dwindling ranks upon whom the hand of time has rested, so gently' as it has upon Mrs. Ormiston. Despite her advanced age,> her health is 'excellent, and her mental faculties extraordinarily clear and vigorous. She spends a' good deal of time each day reading the papers, and lakes a keen interest' in all current ovents. As a correspondent, her fame has spread to every branch of a largo family, consisting V>f nine sons anddaughters, 26 grandchildren, ' and 12 great-grandchildren, and she writes regularly to friends and relatives in Now Zealand. England, and other parts of the world. •. •■'■;','■'•

It was with no little' surprise that a representative of the Herald .'who.called on Mrs. Ormiston, responded to the cheery greeting of an erect little lady with bright v cheeks and dark grey hair., who rose from .her chair by, the fireside. In the course of an hour's chat, one gained a glimpse of a cheery philosophy of life, oi a firm belief in the blessings to be gained from a simple, natural mode of living, and a conviction that the present generation was losing many ,of these benefits through making the pursuit of pleasure and material ends its main objective. * .... A Settler of the Sixties.

Tho story of Mrs. Ormiston'* early life in Auckland was similar to that of every other woman of. the' period, one of hard work and devotion to the' needs of homo and family. Born at Launceston. Cornwall, she came to Auckland in 1861, in tho ship ..Ida Zeigler, ..and .with her. husband, tho late. Mr. William Ormiston. took up farm-life at Mangapai, near Whangarei. For many years, Mr. Ormistone was one of the best-known and most highly-respected settlers in the North, representing his district in the early Provincial Councils, and also being a friend of the late Sir- George Grey. Mr. Ormiston was looked on with deep affection by the Maoris of Mangapai, and having some medical knowledge, frequently .treated them for their ailments. He was. never too busy to answer a call for help, journeying long distances over sea and land to give succour and relief, and his death, over 40 years ago. was dp<«ply regretted by pakeha and Maori alike. .

Left with a family .of nine, the youngest about Hire* years (bid; Mrs. Ormiston carried, on bravely with tbe assistance of her sons, and her hospital ; to settlers from the hack blocks who came in to Ormisfon's Wharf to meet the Auckland boat will be remembered by all early residents of the district. After living about 14 years at Mangapai, the property was sold, and Mrs. Ormiston came to Auckland. . A Staunch Methodist. Throughout her long, life, Mrs. Ormiston has been a staunch supporter of the Methodist 'Church, .and last summer was a frequent attendant at the Onehunga church.; The chilly winter weather put an end,, for the timobeing, to tbeso pleasant Sunday' morning 'strolls, but she is looking forward to attending again when summer comes. She comes of a good old Cornwall family which*, for genefatidns past has supported tho .Wesleyan Church, and in the course .of conversation on: Saturday, spoke.of visits paid in. her early childhood by John Wesley to the home of her who- was one of;; the great preacher's class leaders. This connection: with the churph still exists, one of Mrs. Ormiston's sons-in-law being the Rev. W. A. Sinclair; Dominion -secretary for the Methodist Foreign Missions. :.-. How to .Keep Young at Ninety. ; Before bidding her visitor good-bye, Mrs. Ormiston confided to the latter her recipe, ~", how'to keep young at ninety.:.' "The chief' thing is ferdwn bread," she said. "We were all -brought up on brown bread. .:our home in. Cornwall, and : when we .came out io New i Zealand we still had it. Wo 'grew '• ' our own wheat, -and ground it in.a little handmill. and for years tasted no other kind of bread. ' I "have" eaten brown my life, and am sure that's one of the realms I am so 'strong and well. now. My digestion is excellent, and I■, always enjov my meals." ','.,'... > • Questioned as to her favourite beverage, Mrs. Ormiston confessed that she had always enjoyed " the cup that cheers," although she would * riot- ascribe to the latter the same beneficient results attributed to the brown bread. »|' No, it is the brown bread," she averred ... Oh, and another King, ' no'suppers! Don t forget that. I have never formed the habit of taking supper, and have never felt the miss of it. . . . Those are the two chief things.-..Arid.back of it all a contented mind; and being thankful for all God's blessings." '','"'