HARDY NONAGENARIAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 228, 26 September 1930, Page 7

HARDY NONAGENARIAN.

MB JOHN WITHER'S

BIRTHDAY

WIRELESS BEINGS CONSOLATION.

; Ninety years of age to-day, Mr. John Wither,' now living with his daughter, Mrs. Sommer, Edwin.. Street, City, is sufficiently up-to-clat© to take . keenest interest in all that is going on. He is quite keen on the news session of the wireless broadcast, and his is a case where one realises that modern science can bring consolation as well as amusement, for since 1914 he has been blind, and the opportunity pf learning aurally what is going on in the world is a great boon to him. He was born, at Stranraer, Scotland, on. September 26, 1840, the year Auckland was founded. As a young man lie worked on the railways in the Old Country, and from 1874, when he landed .in New Zealand, until 1890 .he. was 'employed .as coach. _ painter . in .the' ;Ne\v Zealand Railways. He left the service' in 1890 and from 'then until 1908 lie worked for Messrs. Cousins and Cousins: Upon his retirement from, 'the firm, he was presented with a marble clock and silver tea, service by his principals and his fellow-workers. These presents are still among his most treasured possessions. He was married in 1874, and his wife died in 1913. The family consists of a son living at Glen Eden, on land bought by Mr. Wither 40 years ago, and four daughters—Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. Cartwright, Mrs. Loch and Mrs. Sommer (with whom he has been living since 1912). There are 19 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.