STILL HALE AND HEARTY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9480, 7 December 1907, Page 7

STILL HALE AND HEARTY.

THE KING'S MESSAGE TO A SHEPHERD OF 102.

One of the King's oldest subjects lives in the village of Great Rollright, near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire. His name is Richard Withers, and he recently celebrated the 102 nd anniversary of his birthday. On this occasion the villagers presented him with a cake, and the church bells rang out a merry peal in his honor. Withers formerly followed the occupation of shepherd. He boasts that until recently, when he had a bilious attack, he was never in a doctor's hands. A moderate drinker, the old fellow regularly smokes his pipe. He shaves himself twice a week, and is seldom absent fiom Sunday morning service. Recently a local farmer wrote to the Fing, giring particulars of Withers' history. He has received the following reply: — Balmoral Castle, Oct. 12, 1907. Sir, — I am comraaniad by the King to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, and to request you to convey -His Majesty's congratulations to Richard Withers on the attainment of his hundred and second birthday. The King is glad to hear that he still enjoys good health in spite of his great age.-— Yours faithfully, F. G\ PONSONBY.