Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 39, September 1995
Mrs Morris of Hetherington House, Waihi, celebrated her 100th birthday in March 1995. At the time of her celebration she had joked that about the only thing left for her birthday was for someone to name a mine shaft after her. Coeur Golden Cross purchasing officer Rae-Maree Heaton and other staff read about it and decided to see whether they could grant Mrs Morris her wish.
In April Rae-Maree, accompanied by Coeur environmental officer Suzie O'Neill and underground mine engineer Mike Horne, went to meet Mrs Morris and give her the mining equivalent of the key to a city. A Miners' escape shaft at Waitekauri has been named The Nezzie Morris Shaft. Mr Horne explained that the shaft is about 800 feet deep and goes all the way to the bottom of the mine, with access to every level and has a stepped ladderway. This shaft will provide emergency access if the main decline shaft was blocked.
Last year's Journal recorded some earlier events of Mrs Morris' life [see Journal 38: Nezzie Morris - E].