WAIROA PIONEER

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19315, 4 May 1937, Page 4

WAIROA PIONEER

MRS. T. J. CATLEY EIGHTY". FIFTH MIRTH DAY (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this day. A number of the friends of a pioneer lady of Wairoa, Mrs. T. J. Gatlcy, Queen street, tendered her a pleasant surprise yesterday afternoon. A party of 30_ or 40 ladies, and one mere man, assembled at Mrs. Catley's residence on the occasion of her eighty-fifth birthday. She was presented with a handsome present by Mrs. Johansen and Mrs. A. Knight, whilst the centre table was adorned with a cake holding 85 candles, made, by Mrs. A. B. Smith, the birthday cake being made by Mrs. W. Smith. Seated in a gift chair, the guest of honour opened a large basket of gifts amid considerable merriment. The recipient recited the 85th Psalm, and after successfully extinguishing the candles, voiced her thanks for the kindly reception, Mrs. 11. Christensen, her daughter, acknowledging the many gifts. Mrs. W. T. Whealen, who deputised for the aged pastor, the Rev. W. Raeburn. delivered his written message, and her own at the same time, whilst many good wishes followed the gifts, and the gathering closed with the singing of "A Stranger of Galilee" and "God Be With Yon Till We Meet Again."

Mrs. Catley is the widow of Mr. T. .1. Catley, Wairoa's first regular baker. The young couple arrived in Wairoa 63 years ago, and prior to that an old lady "resident used to travel round with a wheelbarrow delivering Wairoa's daily bread —only three days a week.