STILL WORKING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 162, 11 July 1945, Page 4

STILL WORKING

AND PLAYING ALSO

MAN 90 YEARS OF AGE

When a reporter called to see Mr. John McCoskrie, of Albany Road, Herne Bay, shortly after ten o clock on Monday morning, he felt a qualm lest he should disturb Mr. McCoskrie still in bed, for it was a miserable rainv day, and Mr. McCoskrie tomorrow celebrates his P kfrth<tay. To his astonishment he found Mr. McCoskrie had left the house two hours earlier to help a daughtei who conducts a kindergarten at Westmere! Yesterday Mr. McCoskrie left home about eight o'clock andcameinto the citv where he was found, in tne bowels of a building, effecting repairs to the lift! ' It was learned that the hardy nonagenarian had played till last season and would possibly be playing again this year, that he was an active member of St. James Presbyterian Church, Wellington Street, and a member of the Koyai Auckland Male Choir, and that he was keen on walking, bked to Play the -piano, read a considerable amount, and kept himself informed on the news of the day. Born at Newtownards, Belfast, Ireland Mr. McCoskrie came to New Zealand as a boy with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel McCoskrie, arriving in Dunedm m ..863. boon afterwards his father came to Auckland and, after a period m the Waikato' settled here, establishing in 1877' the firm of S. McCoskrie and Son engineers, hoilermakers, iron and'brass founders, and importers of machinery, in Chapel Street. John McCoskrie was educated at Macßae's High School, which was located at the back of St. Andrew's Church. He learned his trade in a local foundry, completing his knowledge of the business under his father. In .1885 he was admitted to his father's firm, and when his father died a few years before World War I he took over control of the firm, although for some time prior to that he had had charge of the works.

"Only Light Work" During the last war, Mr. McCoskrie sold the premises in Chapel Street. and retired. He was then about 60 years of age. Later a business acquaintance expressed the wish that Mr. McCoskrie would come and look at his lift, which was not functioning properly. Attempts to repair it had not been successful. Mr. McCoskrie said he would fix it, and since then he has been fron. time to time engaged in this specialised mechanical engineering. Mr. McCoskrie said modestly today that he was now only working in an advisory capacity or doing light work. For 50 years, Mr. McCoskrie has been a member of the Royal Auckland Choir, of which he is second tenor. He is the eldest member, but one other man has been longer with the choir. He is also a member of the choir of St. James' Church,, and has conducted the choir during Sunday School anniversary celebrations. At one time he was treasurer of the church. Patron of the Y.M.C.A. Lawn Tennis Club, of which he has been an active member for 30 years, Mr. McCoskrie, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, was presented at a club celebration with a Y.M.C.A. blazer and letter of congratulations. He has still one shot which is ever a puzzle to his opponents. It is a cross between a chop and a sliced drive, and the ball carries so much spin that it bounces away from his opponent in a disconcerting manner. It is a certain point winner. Mr. McCoskrie was made a life member of the club in 1931, and 12 years ago was elected patron.

When he was in his late seventies Mr. McCoskrie suffered a stroke, but, aided by his determination: 1 not to spend the rest of his days in a wheel chciir, he recovered. For a time he complained that his right arm would not hold a tennis racquet as well as it did before, but eventually he lost even that disability.

Formula for Youthfulness Asked about his health, Mr. McCoskrie said his eyesight was restricting some of his activities, such as tennis playing. "I now hit out at the ball when it is not there," he said. He drinks and smokes very little. "I have tasted whisky twice in my life, but I can't say I liked it," he commented. Requested for the formula for his youthfulness, Mr. McCoskrie said: "Keep at it and never give in." He had noticed how many people, when they retired from business, gave up other interests too. Not only should a person continue to give himself plenty of exercise, but also he should keep his mind fully occupied, Mr. McCoskrie advised.

He said he tried to emulate the example of the old woman, who never grumbled. Some youths tried one day to find some subject that would make her voice a complaint, and they turned finally to the question of teeth. "I may have only two teeth left," the woman said, "but I can thank heaven that they are opposite one another."

Sixty years ago next .month, Mr. McCoskrie married Miss Marion Houston Davies, of Thames. Mrs. McCoskrie died about 20 years ago. Of Mr. and Mrs. McCoskrie's eight children there are three sons and two daughters living, and there are four grandsons and one granddaughter. Mr. McCoskrie also has a stepsister living. Members of the family will gather for a celebration on Friday.