102 YEARS OLD TO-DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22523, 14 September 1936, Page 10

102 YEARS OLD TO-DAY

WOMAN PIONEER OF OTAGO [by telegraph—ow.v correspondent] DUNEDIN, Sunday The 102 nd anniversary of her birthday will be celebrated to-morrow by Mrs. M. A. Croeo'me, of Musselburgh. She arrived in Otiigo in 1852 by the ship Stately, and has remained in the province ever since. Shortly after her arrival sho married Dr. Joseph Crocome, who was the first doctor to settle in Otago. Dr. Crocomo landed at the whaling station of Otakou in 1836, and remained, there until 1840, when he removed to Waikouaiti, where ho became the first postmaster. Mrs. Crocome's most vivid recollections are of the pioneering days in Waikouaiti, where she resided during the greater part of her life. _ In spite of her great age, Mrs- , Crocome is alert, and takes a keen interest in current events. For some years, however, chiefly because she prefers to live quietly, she has not ventured beyond her own home, where she resides with her daughter, Mrs. &■ Ritchie. Sho has a circle of friends who find great enjoyment in visiting her, not only because of her ability to draw upon a fund of interesting recollections of Otago's early days, but also because of her great charm of personality.