A COCKNEY CENTARIAN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 6027, 11 October 1906, Page 5

A COCKNEY CENTARIAN.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, August 17. .tamct; McNally, who died in a Lambeth homo for tlio aged this week, was the oldetft. subject of the- King in tho metropolitan area. When ho entered the home 15 years ago it was established beyond doubt that ho was 95 years old; having being horn in Feb., 1797. At the time of his death ho wan therefore exactly 109 i years of age, ■■ - His life story, as ho told it, was an imperfect and, in some respects, a, convms*p!aoo record. A native? .od 1 i: . Ireland, he was by trade a scaffolder.' He married and bad children, but hia wife died young, and his family are also all dead or had gone quite out of ; his life. Ho -went to America early in - life, but did not long remain there, and afterwards spent some time as a seaman in the Royal Navy, and them is a legend that, generations ago, h» was discharged from the Navy as being unfit for further service on account or delicate health. He finally settled in Camberwell', and maintained himstelf by his trade as a seaffoldcr until he - was ninety-five years of age, whoa he was admitted to the home in Lambeth. The years bo spent in the home worn peaceful, and he has had no eorious illness during the past fifteen years. Ho was tho life of a birthday party —hioh ho gave at the home on hi* , ,i , hundredth birthday, and only last St. Patrick’s Day ha song a song to tie, other inmates. He took to bed oocasionally. but he was always eager to bo about and enjoyed almost to tho last a stroll in the gardens of the home. His death, indeed, can hardly be said to have followed an illneej, , nor can it be attributed to any div/Xiso. A few weeks ago ho to grow weak, and after he took to hie bed the life of hisvtflodk cmfwl emf canfw cmf , light of his life gradually lowered, and death oanie gently to him In tie afternoon hours of Wednesday.