NINETY YEARS OLD

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21118, 20 March 1934, Page 16

NINETY YEARS OLD

MR MATTHEW ROSINDALE VERGER AT AVONSIDE FOR THIRTY-TWO YEARS "When I came to New Zealand in ISB4, I arrived on the first trip of the new steamship lonic and we had a marvellous passage," said Mr Matthew Rosindale, who celebrated his ninetieth birthday yesterday. ' Mr Rosindale. who lives at 114 Woodham road, has always been a devoted churchman. He was verger at the Avonside Church for 32 years, and he often acted in the same capacity at the Cathedral. He was born at Kirkdale, near Liverpool, and served his apprenticeship as an ironfounder, later acting as foreman for two years at an establishment in Sheffield before he sailed for New Zealand. Since then he has always resided in Christchurch, and for most of that time, with the exception of a short visit to England in the new lonic, he has lived at Avonside. He is a very well-known and pgpular resident of the district. While a reporter was talking with him many friends and acquaintances came to offer him good ; wishes on his birthday. Letters, tele- : grams, and parcels have been coming ] to him from all over the Dominion. ! Mr Rosindale's only interests outside i the church are centred in his garden, : in which he was just going to work ! vhen the reporter found him. ; "I have always led a very healthy ■ life, and last year was the first time ; I had been in hospital, when I under- i vent a serious operation. I have al- ! ways managed to avoid accidents. '■ also." He then added, with a smile. \ that it was not the first occasion he ; had been "interviewed." as a policenan had once found him riding on a ' footpath!" Mr Rosindale still has good use of his \ faculties, despite his great age, and j likes to sit in the sun on his verandah. He- has three daughters living, with ' seven grandchildren and five great- i grandchildren. I