92nd BIRTHDAY Mr W. A. Grace Celebrates

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29906, 21 August 1962, Page 12

92nd BIRTHDAY Mr W. A. Grace Celebrates

Decent living and the possession of a lively brain were •what Mr William —rthur Grace attributed to his reaching the age of 92 yesterday. In the Wesley Lodge eventide home, Christchurch, Mr Grace yesterday celebrated his birthday by cutting a special cake which featured iced trees and shrubs, and listening to guests and nurses sing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.”

Born in Birmingham, England, in 1870, Mr Grace came to New Zealand in 1879 and went to school in Wanganui. His first job was as a “printer’s devil” on the “Manawatu Times,” where

he stayed for five years Mr Grace said the printing ink didn’t go too well with his blood so he changed over to the carpentry business in Palmerston North. For three years and a half he was foreman on the Otira tunnel project and it was during this time that he developed a life-long interest in botany. While at Otira he gained a knowledge of most native trees and could recite their Latin or Maori names with ease

He eventually became connected with the building trade in Christchurch. Mr T. D. Lennie, who recognises Mr Grace’s long interest in botany, has asked him to write an article for the journal of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture about his life, and his Interest in botanical matters.

Mr Grace said anybody who sought a rewarding and interesting hobby should take up botany.

O.A.S. Raid.—Armed raiders, believed to be O.A.S men. broke into a train at a railway station near Laon last night and stole arms and ammunition, police said today.—Laon (France), Aug 19.