N.Z. CENTENARIAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 236, 5 October 1936, Page 3

N.Z. CENTENARIAN

WAIKATO RESIDENT. TEA WITH ARCHBISHOP. MR. P. LE QUESNE'S LONG LIFE. Three years ago on October 7 tlie Primate of New Zealand,. Archbishop AveriJ.l, remarked to a reporter with whom he was in conversation: "To-day is Philip Le Quesne's birthday —97 years old. I have promised to go and have afternoon tea with him on his hundredth birthday, because it is my birthday, too." On Wednesday the Archbishop will keep his promise and he, at the age of 71, will take tea with 100-year-okl Philip Le Qtiesne at tiie latter's home in Hamilton. Mr. Le Quesne was one of the pioneers of Hamilton and of New Zealand, and in the manner of his hardy breed he still retains good health. The home of Mr. Le Quesne, "La Retraite," Hamilton East —a place having many evidences of its owner's Jersey ancestry—will be the scene of the celebrations. The centrepiece will be a huge cake with 100 candles, which has been presented by Mr. L. W. Faville, but the spirit of the gathering will be in the talk of things that have past and of things that are still to come. It will be a talk joined in by Mr. Le Quesne, the Archbishop, the Rev. 10. M. Cowie, of Wellington (former Archdeacon of Waikato), who will make the trip to Hamilton for the occasion), and the Mayor and the deputy-Mayor of Hamilton, Messrs. J. K. Fow and H. D. Caro.

Pioneering Life. Mr. Le Qucsnc's life had those features of industry, initiative and which mark the life of nearly all those who, in the first days of tlie colony of New Zealand, ventured across little known seas to a little known land of opportunity. He was born at Jersey in 1830, and at the age of 24 set out with his young wife for this country. They travelled in the ship Avon and arrived in Auckland after 110 days of storm and peril at sea. At first carpentering work for a fellow countryman in the infant city earned him the wage of 4/6 a day, but the job ,petercd out. But a pioneer expects hardships and so, with no experience, £30 capital and a stout heart, he set up as aastorekeeper in Karangaliape Road. For a time he did moderately well, but when the suggestion was made to liim that prospects for trade were better in the Waikato he agreed, and again went the way of adventure and opportunity. Buying a horse for £8 10/, he made his way through the roadless province to Ngaruawahia, which was reached after a journey of three days. From there he went on to Hamilton East, where, for £30, he purchased the block of land upon which the Waikato Hotel now stands. In Early Hamilton. Again he set up as a storekeeper, but in 1874 in a two-acre section he owned he discovered a small outcrop of clay and, with the assistance of two brickmakers from Auckland, the first bricks to be made in the district were turned out. From these the Waikato Hotel and what is now its garage were built. Later Mr. Le Quesne assumed charge of the hotel, and in conjunction with his store conducted the first post office. With his own hands Mr. Le Quesne planted the Norfolk pines still to be seen in the grounds of the hotel, while in the eailj 'seventies ho was a member of the Hamilton Town Board which set the seeds of the glorious old-world trees which now adorn the Grey Street avenue. Now Mr. Le'Quesne is 'living in retirement in a thriving town, which he helped to build. As during the 07 years of his residence in Hamilton he still takes a big interest in church matters. Ho lias been closely associated with St. Peter s Church and acted for a time as estryman and sidesman. He is still in good health. Mrs. Le Quesne died in 1000. Mr. Lc Quesne's sons are Mr. Winter John Le Quesne, of New South Wales, and Mr. Alfred Le Quesne, of Auckland, and his daughters are Mrs. C. Quick and Miss E. Le Quesne, of Hamilton. There are six grandchildren and two great-giand-childrcn.