AN EARLY SETTLER

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 21035, 11 December 1933, Page 16

AN EARLY SETTLER

■ NINETIETH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS Mr Thonias Henry Gibling, who is living with one of his daughters, Mrs J. R. Williams, of 9 Deimian street, Sumner, celebrated his ninetieth birthday this week-end, with a gathering of his relations and friends. Of his 68 years in New Zealand, Mr Gibling has spent the majority in the district round about Kaiapoi. Mr Gibling was born at Norwich, Lincolnsnire, England, being one of a family of 13. He left the Old Country 68 years ago by himself, and arrived in Auckland on the Lancaster ,Witch, after an uneventful voyage. He found it very difficult to get work in Auckland, and came on to Christchurch. Mr Gibling talks with pride of the old days in Canterbury. He remembers the period when the first drains were being put in. For some time he worked in the Oxford district. On one occasion, when he wanted to get to one of Mr Marmaduke Dixon's farms at Irwell, he set off in the evening and reached it in the following morning. Mr Gibling ultimately took over -i farm at Clarkville, and did so well that he was able to live a recired life in Kaiapoi for many years. Mrs Gibling died two years ago, and he has resided with his daughter in Sumner for a considerable period. Another daughter, Mrs H. Arps, lives at Kaiapoi, while one son, Mr G. Gibling, lives at Woodend and the other, Mr T. W. Gibling, in the Auckland district. Mr Gioling has 11 grand-children, and seven great-grand-children. Many of these will greet him on the occasion of his ninetieth birthday.