PERSONALITIES

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7170, 18 March 1930, Page 6

PERSONALITIES

A GREEN OLE AGE. One of the oldest of the Dominion’s dwindling band of pioneers is Mr John Hepworth, of Palmerston North, but at 92 years of age he is still one of the stalwarts of the old brigade. On September 28 of this year Mr Hepworth, Snr., will celebrate his 93rd. birthday, yet despite the fact that he has already exceeded the allotted span by 22 years and some months, ho ha 3 all the faculties of his prime. He walks, reads and gardens with an industry that is perhaps the secret of his green old age. Mr Hepworth is a native of Yorkshire and arrived in this colony in 1883 as one of the passengers on the good ship Crusader. By profession a medical herbalist, Mr Hepworth studied under Dr. Skelton, ot Leeds, and was for some 12 years in business in his birthplace, Bateley, Yorkshire. He was the first herbalist in Palmerston North, and has watened the growth of this town from its very early days. Some years ago he removed to Wanganui where he established a business before returning to Palmerston North to spend his declining years. Mr Hepworth is a prominent Mason and was ior many years secretary of Loyal Manawatu Lodg9.

Messrs. E. L. Robb (London), J. JStevenson (Palmerston North) and L. Garter (Waikato) were yesterday welcomed as visitors to tho Palmerston North Eotary Club’s weekly meeting.

The death is cabled from London of Conrad Imthurn, tho City man who revealed the so-Called Zinovicff letter on the eve of the general election of ]924, which resulted in tho downfall of the first British Labour Government. The Minister of Health (Hon. A. J. Stalworthy) has consented to open the new two-storey block at the Palmerston North hospital. The function wifi take place on May 2at 2.30 p.m. The Minister will also be asked to present medals to a number of nurses.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Palmerston North Eotary Club it was resolved to forward a letter of sympathy to Mr A. E. Donaldson, secretary of the Wanganui Eotary Club, who is at present indisposed, and wish him a speedy return to normal health.

The Director-General of Health (Dr. T. H. A. Valintine) forwarded to tho Palmerston North Hospital Board yesterday, approval of the appointments of Dr. L. J. Hunter (Levin) as hon. physician at the hospital and Dr. C. King (Palmerston North) as hon. surgeon.