90 YEARS OF AGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21347, 23 November 1932, Page 13

90 YEARS OF AGE

RESIDENT OF OPOTIKI

MR. VALENTINE SAVAGE

[from our own correspondent] OPOTIKI. Tuesday Mr. Valentine Savage, who is the oldest man in Opotiki, celebrates his 90th birthday to-morrow. Born at Wade (now known as Silverdale) on November 23, 1842, Mr. Savage is the son of the late Mr. Ben Savage, one of the old-time whalers. His mother was a member of the Whanau-Apanui tribe. Mr. Savage is a boatbuilder by trade and served for several years as a young man with Mr. G. White, of Auckland. Later he built boats at Whakatane under contract with Mr. White. His father at the same time built a schooner at Whakatane, where the Strand now is. Mr. Savage came to Opotiki to see his people, and he relates how when lie arrived there he met the Rev. Carl Volkner, with whom he had a long conversation. This was the last time he saw Mr. Volkner before the latter was murdered by the Maoris. Going on to Hawai Mr. Savage was given a great welcome by the local tribe, the chief of which was Tataua. The Hauhaus had assembled at Hawai and were working themselves up to attack Opotiki, and Mr. Savage recalls how he called his mother's people together and advised them strongly to have nothing to do with the rebels, as if they did they would be sure to lose their lands and their homes. Mr. Savage tells a vivid story of the murder of Mr. Volkner, and also of the escape of Mr. Grace. The Hauhaus had decided on killing Mr. Volkner first, and Mr. Grace next, but the latter's life was saved by a Maori named Te Wai who secreted him in the bottom of a boat and put out to sea, where a vessel picked them up and took them to Auckland. For many years Mr. Savage carried on his trade of boat-building at Opotiki, retiring only about a year ago. lie has always taken a great interest in rowing and has coached many good crews in Opotiki. His wife died many years ago, but ho has several sons and daughters living. One son is now working at the trade his father earned on so long. Mr. Savage now lives a few miles down the coast with his son, Mr. P. Savage, and is able to get about as well as most men 20 years younger. Surrounded by a beautiful garden, and overlooking the ocean, which rolls up within a few chains of the dosr, it is a lovely spot which the old veteran has chosen for his retirement.