CENTENARIAN'S BIRTHDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20959, 24 August 1931, Page 10

CENTENARIAN'S BIRTHDAY.

FRIENDS GATHER AT PARTY*

AGED LADY'S ENJOYMENT*

Surrounded by numerous friends, Mrs. Frances Mary Speakman celebrated her 100 th birthday by a party in the Auckland Infirmary on Saturday. Owing to a fall some time previously, she bad to remain in bed, but she hopes to be up and about again shortly.

The party was given by Mr." and Mrs.) S. Donaldson, the Mayor and Mayoress of Newmarket, in which district Mrs. Speakman conducted a shop for many years. A special cake, made by Mrs. Hedlund, an old friend of Mrs. Speakman, had been decorated with 100 candles and it is characteristic of Mrs. Speakman's indomitable spirit and vigour that she insisted on the old custom of blowing out the candles and had no difficulty in extinguishing them all with one breath. After photographs had been taken, the patients in the ward were_ entertained to tea and cakes and the birthday cake was distributed. A most enjoyable afternoon for all was concluded with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne." Mrs. Speakman, who took & lively interest in everything,. stood up to the excitement well and was more , than delighted with her party. In all, over 100 callers during the afternoon tendered their congratulations. A number of telegrams were received by Mrs. Speakman, including messages from the Governor-General and the Lady Bleuisloe, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, and Mr. W. J. Jordan, M.P. The matron, Miss Rugg, and the staff of the institution co-operated with Mrs. Donaldson in making the party a success.