90 YEARS OF AGE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17946, 25 November 1932, Page 10

90 YEARS OF AGE

RESIDENT OF OPOTIKI ME. VALENTINE SAVAGE Mr. Valentine Savage, who is the oldest man in Opotiki, celebrated his ninetieth birthday on Wednesday. Born at Wade (now known as Silverdale) on November 23, 1842, Mr. Savage is the son of the late Mr. Ben Savage, one of tiie old-time whalers. His mother was a member of the Whanau-Apanui tribe. Mr. Savage is a boatbuiider by trade and served for several years as a young man with Mr. G. White, of Auckland. Later lie 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 went to Opotiki to see his people, and lie relates how when he arrived there he met the Rev. Carl Volkner, with whom lie had a long conversation. This, was the lust 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 Haiihaus 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 Iris trade of boat-building at Opotiki. retiring) about a year ago. He has always taken a keen interest in rowing and 'has coached many good crews in Opotiki.

a.m,, to prepare the grounds and make final arrangements for the Show. The tender.of Mr. C. Ferguson, Gisborne, was accepted for tho luncheon booth. A special meeting of the local Unemployment Committee was hold on Tuesday evening, there being a full attendance of members. The discussions were not open to the press, but after the meeting the Herald’s representative was informed that several scrub contracts under the board’s schemes, amounting in all to £3.10, .were now available in the Nuhaka and Opoutama districts for registered unemployed. Mr. E. Tucker, who has been a member of the local committee since its inception and who, for the past 12 months has been the representative of the unemployed workers, and also secretary, tendered his resignation as representative of tho men, which was accepted with regret, members expressing the greatest appreciation of Mr. Tucker's services. It was unanimously resolved that he continue as secretary.