DEATH AT NINETY-FOUR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22461, 3 July 1936, Page 13

DEATH AT NINETY-FOUR

OLDEST WAIPU RESIDENT LONG LIFE IN DISTRICT [BY TELEGIUm —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WHANGAREI, Thursday The oldest resident of Waipu, Mis» Mary McMillan, aged 94 years, died on Tuesday at the Whangarei Hospital, following an accident at her liome recently, which resulted in her breaking one leg. Miss McMillan was born at St. Ann's, Nova Scotia, and as a little girl watched the departure of the Margaret and the Highland Lass for New Zealand. The ships were farewelled by the late Rev. Norman McLeod, who preached a special sermon. After their arrival at Waipu, members of the party wrote to their friends and relatives at St. Ann's, and it was decided to build another vessel, the Gertrude, The littlo ship of 250 tons commenced her long voyage to New Zealand on June 24, 1856, with 176 persons aboard. Among the passengers were Mr. and Mrs. John McMillan and their six children, including Miss Mary McMillan. The Gertrude reached Auckland on Christmas Day, and the McMillan family remained temporarily in Auckland for about a year.

The family settled at North River, Waipu, and Miss Mary McMillan was among those who experienced all the hardships of early pioneering. She enjoyed excellent health until last month, when she slipped and broke her leg.