92nd BIRTHDAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 29, 4 February 1935, Page 6

92nd BIRTHDAY

WHANGAREI PIONEER. MEMORIES OF EARLY DAYS. WHANGAREI. Jan. 26. A resident of Kamo, Mr. Joseph Smith, celebrated his 92nd. birthday today. He was born on January 26, 1843, near Exeter, and as a boy his great ambition was to visit the colonies. He left England on May 29, J 862, in the emigrant ship Hanover, arriving at Auckland-on September 10. His first job, lasting one week, was the taking of bread in a wheelbarrow over tea-tree tracks to sawyers’ huts in what is now known as Ponsonby. He received one shilling a day for his work. He next worked on the Bellevue estate. Ruakaka, and the Tara estate. Mangawai. where he learned the rudiments of farming. Mr. Smith remembers Bishop Selwyn stopping al Bellevue overnight on his way to open Christ Church at. Whangarei. Mr. Smith followed the gold rush at Thames, where he lost most of his money. After two years at Thames he returned to the Whangarei district, taking up a position with Mr. E. Caller, Whangarei. On Augusr. 4, 1874, A; . Smith married, and shortly alter bought a farm at, Kuutangata. He is very proud of the fact that he paid off the purchase price within a short time, in spite of the fact that butter, which was practically the only produce, sold at 5d a lb., after being packed on horseback to Whangarei, over a track which was- not even stumped. In his early days in the district Mr. <mith was closely associated with the Maoris, a race which he holds in very high respect. His advice was frequently sought by them concerning their farms and plantations. Fifty-two years ago Mr. Smith had the misfortune to lose the sight of one eye. He is a remarkably well-pre-served man, considering his great agp. and is still able to get about unaided, and is an early riser. He retired from active farm work in 1919. His wife died 34 yers ago. Mr. Smith resides with his </ lighter. Aliss Olive Smith, of Kamo.