IN 100TH YEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23721, 30 July 1940, Page 9

IN 100 TH YEAR

OLDEST OTAHUHU RESIDENT MR. JOHN NICHOLLSV CAREER The oldest resident of Otahuhu is Mr. John Nicholls., who recently celebrated his 99th birthday. Although he is both deaf and blind, his spirit is remarkably cheerful. Mr. Nicholls was born in America, and travelled extensively before coming to New Zealand at the ago of 14. He has been a' resident of the Auckland district since 1855. Mr. Nicholls was one of 10 children of the late Mr. William Nicholls, of Falmouth, who came to New Zealand iri January, 1853, to investigate . the possibility of copper mining on Kawau Island. When the family arrived to join him two years later, they established their first*home at Parnell, which was then a forest of tea-tree, and they were among the first families to settle there. Later they cleared land and settled on a farm at Mangere, and many descendants are now to bo found in that district. i The longevity of Mr. Nicholls' family has been notable. His mother died at the age of 92 and his elder sister reached her lOOtli year. Another sister and a brother both lived to 86, and his one surviving sister, Mrs. H. Littlewood. of Epsom, who is the youngest of the family and New Zealand born, is 80. Mr. Nicholls' wife died two years ago. He has a son and two daughters and there are three grandchildren.