BIRTHDAY PARTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 247, 17 October 1936, Page 26

BIRTHDAY PARTY.

NORTHCOTE OCTOGENARIAN. MR. RICHARD JOHN TREMAIN. A happy family gathering was held last evening at the home in Church Street. Northcote. in celebration of the eightieth birthday of Mr. Richard John Tremain, who lias lived in the district for over 35 years. Mr. 'I remain, who still enjoys splendid health, was familiar with Auckland when the waters of the Waitemata lapped the foreshore where Fort Street is now located, and he used to paddle there in the tide. Tn the year following his birth at Sladebridge, on October 10. 1856, .the family left Cornwall for New Zealand in the sailing ship Joseph Fletcher, which arrived at Auckland four months later, in March, 1858. Mr. Tfemain went to the private school conducted by Mr. Macintosh behind St. James' Presbyterian Church, the building afterwards being utilised as St. James' manse. After serving an apprenticeship of six years with Mr. T. T. Masefield, ironfounder and engineer, Mr. Tremain worked in the old flour mills in Queen Street with Mr. J. C. Firth for 5J years, and then transferred to the Northern Roller Mills, where he was employed in the machinery department for 50 years, retiring in June of last year. During that period a reformation took place in conditions of labour and motive power, the eight hour system replacing the twelve hour shift, and electricity supplanting steam. Mr. Tremain's father worked in these flour mills, for over 50 years; starting three years after arrival at Auckland. A brother, Mr. Edwin Harvey Tremain, who was the chief engineer, also worked for the Northern Roller Milling Company from 188(5 until his death in 1033.

Mr. Tremain lias beeji for 02 years a member of the Fountain of Friendship Friendly Society. He took ail active part in volunteering, and was in the cadets, one year as a private and two years as first lieutenant of the Victoria Rifle Company, under Major James Durham, and was sergeant in the Victoria Rifles Band. Subsequently he- was in the Auckland Engineers' Volunteer Band, under Bandmaster J. Impey, and when the Engineers disbanded in 1883 the band continued for a lengthy period as the City Band. He belonged to the congregation at the inception of the Franklin Road Methodist; Church, which in June last celebrated its seventy-first anniversary, his father being one of the founders and first trustee. Mr. Tremain recalls that this was started in the house of Mr. Filgate, in Union Street, and from there removed to Sheridan Street. Mrs. Tremain died nearly 25 years ago. Of the family of 12 children two sons and six daughters are living. There are 17 grandchildren and three great- • grandchildren. Mr. William Tremain, of Te Aroha, is a younger brother, and the only other surviving member of the family.