SIR JOHN CAMPBELL'S BIRTHDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13326, 5 November 1906, Page 4

SIR JOHN CAMPBELL'S BIRTHDAY.

A CHAT WITH THE GRAND OLD MAN. When -waited upon during Saturday forenoon by a Herald representative, in connection with his 90th birthday, Sir John T/>gan Campb.l!, after extending a cordial greeting to him, said: — " I suppose you have come to congratulate me on my 90th birthdays" " Yes, Sir John," was the reply. "I thought so. Well, to-day 1 am 85 years old—and a day. This day, 10 years ago, when I stood on the summit of Rangitoto for the first time, I little dreamt I should live to see the tenth anniversary of the opening ceremony of the Rangitoto Domain. Yet it has come round, and here I am." '',-.. "Do you think you could climb Rangi- •% toto to-day, Sir John?" asked the reporter. " Well, suppose I go half-way up, that would dot be a bad compromise, would it, . though, perhaps, a confession of weak- . ness." "A proof of wonderful strength, I think, given to few men of your years." "You think so? Well, I'm a little shaky in the legs, but free from every ailment, and 1 ought to be thankful indeed—my failing eyesight notwithstanding, for' you - know I can no longer distinguish objects across the street, and am quite unable to read,'unless the letters are an inch long." '■Nevertheless, you have your wits about you all the same," remarked the newspaper man. " Very kind of you to say so," answered the father of Auckland, " but I don't quite V feel my old self. I confess that I rather have a suspicion that the ugly' word 'crusty,' so often put before old age, is now applicable to me, so you see it is just possible for a man to live too long for the comfort of his fellow creatures." " A happy thing for the welfare of your ' fellow creatures that you have, by living so long, been able to do in your declining years so much for them, Sir* John." "Thanks, and I may say that whatever T may have done gives me much happiness. Daily am I thankful I have not been afflicted with that terrible thing, the love of the accumulation of money. Carnegie has said that such a man is a criminal, and I think he is right. 'Give unto the people what they have given you,' is the motto of the day, and I subscribe to it." ." Do you propose visiting the Exhibition?" was the next question asked the veteran," ■ . "No. With my failing sight, I must take it all for granted. Little New Zealand is certainly doing ? very big thing, but after all I don't think she requires so big a thing to advertise herself. The world recognises the greatness ot the young nation. We are in the proud and at the same lime somewhat.dangerous position of being the most coveted spot on earth by every great foreign Power This being so,, it behoves our defence authorities to see to it that the colony is prepared for all emergencies." "Is the great wave of prosperity upon which the country is now riding going to continue much longer, do you think':" "I am of the opinion that we had better make hay while the sun shines. In the* ordinary cycle of events, the slump must come sooner or later, but I hope not in my dry. for you see these days are numbered, and it may not lie given to you to interview me on my 91st birthday, for ':': that day may not come to me." " I trust that it will, Sir John, and that I will find you in as good health as today," was the reporter's reply, as he made room for callers waiting to congratulate the father of Auckland on the Attainmeat of his 90th birthday.