PIONEER OF THE NORTH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20982, 19 September 1931, Page 8

PIONEER OF THE NORTH.

MR. WILLIAM LILLEY. 95TH BIRTHDAY TO-MORROW, SOLE RUATANGATA SURVIVOR. [from our own correspondent.] ' WHANGAREI. Friday. A very interesting personality and on 9 I of the oldest residents in the North Mr. William Lilley, of Ruatangata, wjjj celebrate his 95th birthday on Sunday. Of the 18 pioneers who formed the band of settlers at Ruatangata in 1867 only Mr. Lilley now survives. Born at Scarborough, England, Mr. Lilley worked in various positions j n London. He has vivid recollections of the peace day at the conclusion of the Crimean War. He also remembers well the festive scenes in London on the occa. sion of the marriage of the Princess Royal. On May 5, 1863, accompanied by his wife and child, he left Gravesend in the Queen of Beauty, arriving in Auckland on August 9, 1863. A dramatic incident marked the voyage, for on June 16 the Queen of Beauty was stopped by the famous Confederate steamer Alabama when about 80 miles off the coast of Brazil. The American Civil War was in progress at the time, and the Alabama mistook the Queen of Beauty for an enemy vessel. Two shots were fired across the bows of the British ship which, however, did not stop. A third shot, unmistakably in earnest, compelled Captain Chapman to bring the ship into the wind, and upon examination o'f the ship's papers the Queen of Beauty was allowed to proceed. Of the 270 passengers the only present survivors are Mrs. R. Farrell, Auckland Mr. H. Carter, Hikurangi, Mr. J. Carter, Helensville, Mr. J. Horn, Onerahi, and Mr. Lilley. When the Queen of Beauty arrived at Auckland the first news the passengers received was that war had broken out with the Maoris in the Waikato, and that martial law had been proclaimed. The men, therefore, had either to volnn. teer for service or join the militia, single men being placed in the first division and the married men in the second division. Mr. Lilley joined the latter division, being posted to the Albert Park guard. Subsequently he was sent to Otahuhu to relieve other forces there. Shortly after- I ward his wife and two children died of fever. In 1867 Mr. Lilley took up a bush section at Ruatangata, North Auckland, where he has remained ever sinco. He later married a daughter of the late Mr. snd Mrs. William Hawkin, of Whan Valley, Whangarei. Mrs. Lilley died 25 years ago. In 1905 Mr. Lilley made a trip to Eng. , land, and there called upon Lord Ranfurly. " I can assure you that Lord Ranfurly was delighted to see anyone from New Zealand," said Mr. Lilley, " and I spent a most enjoyable afternoon with him in London." Mr. Lilley frequently visits Whangarei to conduct his affairs. Although slightly deaf he is remarkably well. He holds the King's Empire Veterans' medal. There are seven children, Mrs. T. Wilson, Ruakaka, Mrs. *J. Gittos, Auckland, Mrs. A. Wilson, Ruatangata, Mrs. L. Wright, Otaika, Mr. L. Lilley, Ruatangata, Mr. H. Lilley, Three Mile Bush, Mr. E. Lilley, Three Mile .Bush. There are 25 grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. A large gathering of relatives is expected for the birthday celebrations on Sunday.