Driving Test Success At 94

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32324, 16 June 1970, Page 1

Driving Test Success At 94

Mr G. P. Purnell, a < 94-year-old solicitor, yes- 1 terday passed his driving licence test with fly-, ing colours. He has been < driving for 46 years without an accident or; convictio~. “Mr Purnell’s medical record was Al; he does not have to wear glasses; he is alert, sits bolt upright at the wheel, has his hands well-positioned, and is a much better driver than many of the 70-year-olds I have passed,” said Traffic Officer M. Gavan, of the Ministry of Transport. Mr Purnell is the oldest driver to be tested in the Waimairi County and traffic officers think he may be the oldest driver in Christchurch. He was born on Boxing Day, 1875, and did not see a car until he was 25. “There was no mollycoddling; I asked him to do righthand turns in thick traffic—the lot,” said Traffic Officer Gavan. “He really won my admiration.”

Mr Purnell was extremely surprised when a reporter and photographer from “The Press” yesterday called on him at home, on the corner.

of Hehnores Lane and Desmond Street, where he has lived for 43 years. Mr Purnell said: “1 hope to complete my half-century of driving.” He said that through the years he had owned six cars —a Rugby, Essex, Dodge, Ford, Austin and Holden. Mr Purnell said he had not been called on to defend many drivers as a solicitor. His work had been mainly in conveyancing, although he had done a lot of divorce work. For one reason and another, he had acquired a reputation as an expert on the Fencing Act—“not a good act.” He was 49 when he obtained ; his first driving licence and ; so missed the "foolish age” ' for driving—between 18 and 25—during which a large pro- ' portion of accidents occurred. Mr Purnell said he had driven in all parts of New Zea- . land, although he had not . yet been through the Haast . Pass. He still enjoyed driv- ■ ing, and found his car a great . convenience. He has been offered the

\ first parking space in a com- ■ mercial car park in Glouces- ■ ter Street near the city centre i and has every intention of ■,taking up this offer.