101st BIRTHDAY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 223, 19 April 1933, Page 2

101st BIRTHDAY

Auckland Woman

POOR STATE OF HEALTH

One of the oldest persons In New Zealand, Mrs. Henry Mahon Jcrvis, of Auckland, celebrated her 101>i hirtli day to-day. Mrs. Jeivi:- was able b> take active part in a .large family fathering to mark her centenary 12 months ago. but she has been in a very poor state of health for some weeks past and ;;■

cordingly no similar celebrations have been planned this year. Mrs. Jervis, whose maiden name was Ellon D<u'ds, was born in Sydney in 1832. It is curious to recall that she was a del irate girl, and that it was on account of her health that she came to New Zealand at the age of 17. It was thought that the change might do her health good, and it speaks well for Mew Zealand that she never had an illness afterwards until cmite recently the frailties of extreme old age have made themselves apparent.

When Mrs. Jervis landed at Auckland 81 years ago she was rowed ashore from the cutter in whieh she and her oarents had come from Sydney and the haka of welcome which a band of Maoris gave on the beach at the foot of Short v land Street made an indelible impression on her. In 1855 Miss Dcdds was married to Mr. H. M. Jervis. one of the pioneers who reached Auckland shortly after it was founded by Governor Hebson. They lived at first in Emilv Place, and later moved to the North Shore, where they were among the first tc settle. Mr. Jervis was associated for a long time with L. D. Nathan and Company, Limited, and later became an agent for shipping firms and had much to do with the establishment of trade between Auckland and the Fiji Islands. Mrs. Jervis has nevci left New Zealand since her arrival so long ago and with the exception of occasional trips to Wellington and Dargnville she has spent all her time in Auckland. She has watched Its marvellous development almost from the commencement!, and in recent years kept in touch with its growth by means of motor trips., of which she was very fond. Of Mrs. Jervis' family of ten children three daughters. Mrs. L. Rees, Mrs. W. Goldsworthy and Mrs. P. R. Fraser. and two sons, Mr. F. M. Jervis and Mr. N. M. Jervis, are living. She has about 20 grandchildren and 30 greatgrandchildren.