Newspaper Article 1937 – Triplets “Doing Nicely”

TRIPLETS “DOING NICELY”

Father Looking Forward to Having Them Home

“BONNY GIRLS,” HE SAYS

“Oh, they’re doing very nicely ,and we’re looking forward to having them and their mother home with us very shortly; in fact, the sooner the better will suit me, for I’m very pleased and proud of them.” Such was the response given by Mr. J.C. Anderson, of Kahuranaki, this morning to an inquiry as to the welfare of the triplet girls born to his wife on Wednesday last at Sister Gardiner’s nursing home in Hastings.

“I am a very happy man to have these three fine little bonny girls and to know that they and their mother are doing so well,” he said. “I was up yesterday having a look at them all, and the kiddies are progressing wonderfully. Mrs. Anderson and the babies are receiving wonderful attention from Dr. A. D. S. Whyte and Sister Gardiner, and we at home are looking forward to having Mrs. Anderson and the new members of the family with us before very long.”

Both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are thrilled that the babies should be born on Coronation Day, and they have decided appropriately to name the youngsters, for they are to be called Mary, Elizabeth and Rose. The trio have attracted considerable attention, and they have been showered with presents and good wishes from all sections of the community. It has been suggested to Mr. Anderson that he should make application for the King’s Bounty, which, it is understood, is available for triplet births within the British Empire. However, as he is not acquainted with the procedure, he has not given the matter more than passing thought as yet, but he anticipates making such an application in due course.

A hearty welcome awaits the mother and the trio of babes, when they return to Kahuranaki, by the other members of the family, who comprise three girls, the eldest being 18 years of age, and a boy who is 16 years old. One of the girls will celebrate her fifth birthday next Sunday so that in future the Anderson family will have four birthdays […]in the month of May.

Mr. Anderson had four years’ service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, leaving with the 13th reinforcements, familiarly known as the “Devil’s Own.” He was wounded at Passchendaele. He has been twice married, the two eldest children being from the first marriage. It was just a little over two years ago that he took over 800 acres at Kahuranaki, and, although he had little capital, he has, by hard work, greatly improved the property and proved himself an efficient farmer.

“I don’t know whether it was an omen or what,” he laughingly informed a Herald-Tribune representative this morning, “but last year a ewe on our property gave birth to quintuplets. It must be the air out this way.

“Still, I’m as proud as Punch of my three bonny youngsters, and they and their mother are going to have a great welcome when they come home,” he added enthusiastically.