OLDEST NEW ZEALANDER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 811, 4 November 1929, Page 16

OLDEST NEW ZEALANDER

OPOTIKI WOMAN’S 102ND BIRTHDAY HUNDRED VISITORS From Our Own Correspondent OPOTIKI, Today. Yesterday Opotiki’s oldest resident, Mrs. Martha Reece, and one of the oldest persons In New Zealand, celebrated her 102nd birthday. Mrs. Reece has resided in Opotiki for 61 years. Telegrams of congratulations have been pouring in since Saturday, and yesterday nearly 100 people visited Mrs. Reece and offered birthday greetings. Opotiki’s second oldest resident, Dr. Alexander Reid, will visit Mrs. Reece today. Dr. Reid will be 97 on December 15. Mrs. Reece, whose health is just as good today as on her 101st birthday, was born at Bridgemouth, Shropshire, England, in 1827. She married in Worcestershire in 1857 and came to New Zealand with her husband, the late Mr. T. Reece, in the sailing ship Nimrod. Arriving in November, 1864, they resided in Auckland for about four years and then came to Opotiki. Mrs. Reece has resided in Opotiki ever since. Her husband died about 30 years. She has a family of two sons, Messrs. W. and E. Reece, and three daughters. Mrs. R. Smith, Onehunga, Mrs. Jane Butler, Mrs. H. J. Webb, Opotiki. There are over 30 grandchildren and about 20 great-grandchildren. With the exception of her eyesight, -Mrs. Reece retains her faculties to a remarkable degree. Considering her great age, the old lady can relate many thrilling experiences of times during the Maori War. For the last six years Mrs. Reece has been bedridden and has resided for the last 20 years with her daughter, Mrs. H. J. Webb.