PIONEER OF THE NORTH

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1931, Page 6

PIONEER OF THE NORTH

MR. LILLEY’S LONG LIFE / -—— 95TH BIRTHDAY YESTERDAY. .SOLE RUATANGATA SURVIVOR. A very interesting .personality and one fbi the oldest residents in North Auckland, Mr. William Lilley, of Ruatangata, pear Whangarei, celebrated his 95th. ibirthday yesterday. Of the 18 pioneers [Who formed the band of settlers at Ruajcangata in 1867 only Mr. Lilley now suryives. k ? Born at Scarborough, England, Mr. Lilley- worked <,in various positions in London. He has vivid recollections of the ' peace day at- the conclusion of the Crimean War. He also remembers well ..the festive scenes in London on the occasion of the marriage of the Princess Royal. ' On May 5, 1863, accompanied by his jwife and child, he left Gravesend in the [Queen of Beauty, arriving in Auckland jtm August 9, 1863. A dramatic incident marked the voyage, for on June 16 the Queen of Beauty was stopped by the famous Confederate steamer Alabama. When about 80 miles off the coast of Brazil. The American Civil War was in progress at the time, and the Alabama mistook the Queen of Beauty for an enemv vessel. Two shots were fired aeros? the bows of the British ship which, however, did not stop. A third shot, (unmistakably in‘earnest, compelled Captain Chapman to bring the ship into the .wind, and upon examination of the ship’s papers the Queen of Beauty was allowed to proceed. . Of the 270 passengers the only present Survivors are Mrs, R. Farrell, Auckland, Mr. H. Carter, Hikurangi, Mr. J. Carter, Helensville, Mr. J. Horn, Onerahi, and Mr. Lilley. - x When the Queen of Beauty arrived at Auckland the first news the passengers Received was that war had broken out jvith the Maoris in the Waikato, and that martial law had been proclaimed. (The men, therefore, had either to volunteer for service of join the militia, single inen being placed in the first division and [ihe married men in the second’ division. Mr. Lilley Joined the latter division, being posted to the Albert Park guard. he was sent to Otahuhu to (relieve other forces there. Shortly after- - [Ward his wife and two children died of fever. " In 1867 Mr. Lilley took up a bush section at Ruatangata, North Auckland, 'Where he has remained ever since. He later married a daughter of the late Mr. . and Mrs. William Hawkin, of Whau [Valley, Whangarei. Mrs. Lilley died 25 years ago. In 1905 Mr. Lilley made a trip to England, and there called upon Lord Ranfurly. “I can assure you that Lord Ranfurly was delighted to see anyone from New Zealand,” said Mr. Lilley, “and I Spent a most enjoyable afternoon with him in London.” Mr. Lilley frequently visits Whangarei „„io_cond.uct his affairs. Although slightly he is remarkably well. He holds the King’s Empire Veterans’ medal.