98 YEARS TOMORROW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21924, 6 October 1934, Page 15

98 YEARS TOMORROW

MR. PHILIP.LE QUESNE OLDEST HAMILTON RESIDENT STILL IN BEST OF' HEALTH [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Friday The oldest resident of Hamilton. Mr. Philip Le Quesne, of Clyde Street, Hamilton East, will celebrate his 98th birthday on Sunday. When called on this morning, Mr. Le Quesne was seated in the garden of his picturesque dwelling, La Retraite, reading the New Zealand Herald. Ho was the picture of good health. On Mr. I>e Quesne's office desk was a sheaf of correspondence received from relatives and friends in all parts of the world, congratulating him on his birthday. One letter was from the Rev. G. R. Barnett, vicar of ] field',, England, and formerly Dean of Hamilton. It was addressed "Mr. P. Le Quesne, Hamilton's Grand Old Man." Mr. I/O Quesne possesses all his faculties to a remarkable degree, and it is difficult to realise that he is so advanced in years. His memory is remarkable-.

Born 011 the Island of Jersey on October 7, 1836, Mr. .Le Quesne came to New Zealand immediately after his marriage in 1860, and was employed as a carpenter and joiner in Auckland. He received 4s 6d a day as a journeyman. Dissatisfied with the wages, he entered into business, and occupied one of the first shops in Karangahape Road. Mrs. Le Quesne joined him in 1862. Hopes of improving his business prospects caused Mr. Le Quesne to come to Hamilton in 1866, and he has remained her 6 ever since. Mr. Le Quesne became very successful in business. He opened the first store in Hamilton East, and was the first postmaster. To him belongs the honour of being the oldest and longest continuous customer oi: the Bank of New Zealand. He has been associated with St. Peter's Anglican Church since he came to Hamilton, and iss the oldest parishioner and sidesman. Mrs. Le Quesne died 34 years ago. Of the family of nine, four survive. They Mr. W. J. Le Quesne, of New South Wales; Mr. A. Le Quesne, of Ponsonby; Mrs. C. Quick and Miss Le Quesne, of Hamilton East.