Grand Old Pioneer

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 129, 5 November 1930, Page 8

Grand Old Pioneer

THE MAORI WAR RECALLED

WOMAN REACHES 103 YEARS

(Per Press Association).

AUCKLAND, Last night.

Born at Bridgemouth, Shropshire, in 1827, Mrs. Reece, of Opotiki, celebrated her 103rd birthday yesterday. Although she has been bedridden for seven years, Mrs. Reece enjoys fairly good health. Mrs. Reece was married in Worcestershire in 1857 and arrived in New Zealand with her husband, the late Mr. T. Reece, in the sailing ship Imrod in November, 1864. They

lived in Auckland for four years and then removed to Opotiki, where Mrs. Reece has resided. Mrs. Reece’s memory is still clear, and she is able to recount tales of the Maori Wars, when the white population used to take shelter in St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, which was looplioled for rifle fire and was used as a fort. It was during these disturbed times that the Hauhaus, led by Kereopa, carried the head of the murdered missionary, Rev. Mr. Volkner, and placed it on the pulpit of the church. Kereopa addressed the assembled Maoris from the pulpit. The Maoris hanged the missionary on a tree which stood behind where the Opotiki Post Office now stands. The old church still stands in a good date of preservation. Many years ago it was en-

larged to incluie Mr. Volkner's grave within its walls. Blooi stains are still visible on the pulpit. Mrs. Reece’s husband was at one time farrier with the troocs. He died about 30 years ago Mrs. Reece has a family of two sons and three daughters. There are over 30 grandchildren and about 20 great grandchildren.