AN ASHHURST PIONEER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 52, 1 February 1932, Page 8

AN ASHHURST PIONEER.

CELEBRATES 90th BIRTHDAY. A happy gathering assembled at the residence of Mrs J. Maunder, of Ashhurst, yesterday to celebrate the 90th birthday of that lady’s father, Mr David Drummond. Over 30 relatives ■were present and Mr Drummond, who is still hale and hearty .despite his .advanced years, was the recipient of many congratulations. Mr Drummond was born at Nelson in 1842 and it is claimed that he was the • first white child born in that district. He continued to reside in the Nelson Province, principally at Motueka, for SO years, but he then removed, with his family, to Ashhurst, where he has lived ever since. Despite the arduous duties he, in the capacity of a pioneer, was called upon to perform, he is still able to get about and is a well-known and popular figure in the district. The late Mrs Drummond was, prior to her marriage, Miss Hawken, a member of a well-known Patea family, and the couple were within a few weeks of their diamond jubilee when death brought a long association to a close in 1928. Of a family of 10 children, two predeceased their father, the surviving members being Mesdames J. Maunder (Ashhurst), M. O’Halloran (Tongaporutu), G. Harvey (Gisborne) and Messrs Oswald Drummond and Charles Drummond (Wellington), Wilfred Drummond (Ashhurst), George Drummond (Awahou) and Herbert Drummond (Palmerston North), Mr Drummond’s descendants number over 100 and yesterday’s gathering included 14 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.