100-NOT OUT

NZ Truth, Issue 1018, 30 May 1925, Page 1

100-NOT OUT

One of the Dominion's few centenarians, Mr. William Arnott bears his * burden of years with a light heart, and almost any day he may be seen, taking a lively interest m the doings and sayings m the streets of Greymouth. Only the 'other day, he startled the natives by painting the roof of his two-storey residence, and he made a good job of it, too. The attainment of Bill's "majority" on May -17 was celebrated by a big party, nearly as many friends being present as> he has lived years, and his birthday gifts ,were' numerous. Bill .Arnott was born m Edinburgh, and can - tell thrilling tales ,of the Crimean campaign, through which he went, being nursed by Florence Nightingale. The Coronation of .Queen Vic-toria-and the Tower of London lire are milestones m his memory. After doing his bit m the Crimea, Bill arrived m Australia m the ship^ Jessie Munn; then New Zealand gold* called hirri; he first set foot on the We,st Coast m 1865, and is still there. One of his reminiscences concerns the election of the late Hon. R. J. Seddon to the Kumara Borough Council, over sixty years ago. Those ;who know Bill Arnott \yill. .■tell you that he doesn't need any monkey glands yet.