Page 6 Advertisements Column 3

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 8, 1 August 1930, Page 6

STILL GOING STRONG NEARLY NINETY YEARS OLD

EARLY AUCKLAND HLJTORV. WILES OF POLITICIANS. “Yes, I’m getting on for 90, but like the good old man of poster fame I'm still going strong.” The speaker was Mr. Fred. Jeune, WnO has lived 71 years in Auckland and who will be 89 next month. He can tell some strange tales about early Auckland as well as of the Ballarat and Bendigo gold rushes. Mr. Jeune .was prospecting on the Thames goldfields in the palmy days, but failed to strike it lucky. Ke landed in Auckland from the fore-and-aft schooner-yacht having been a passenger from Melbourne. Ihc vessel was owned by Henderson and Macfarlane, and was commanded by Captain Cunningham. A U-makcr by trade, Mr. Jeune soon found employment with Captain Le Roy, with whom he woiLed for about 13 years. It was with three other Aucklanders that Mr. Jeune left New Zealand to go to the Australian diggings, the two Robinsons, being sons of Kaley Robinson, of Parnell, and a man named M’Donald, another sail-maker. M'Donald went to Lemon Flat, where the miners on the field had a mix-up with Chinese, and M’Donald was not seen again Welcomed Sir Henry Brett. An interesting happening which stands out in Mr. Jcune’s memory was his meeting with the late Sir Henry Erect when the latter first landed in Auckland on the beach below where the Supreme Court now stands. With Captain Le Roy, Mr. Jeune dispensed hospitality to the newcomers, and lie handc; Hemy Brett a cup of tea. “His equal as ■ boy never landed in Auckland,” raid Mr. jeune, in reminiscent mood, “"nd I challenge anybody to say different;.,. How Sir Julius Vogel Won. The second outstanding incident was of a political nature. Sir Juliu Vogel, the Prime Minister, was going Home to reuse money for public works. It was the first time that New Zealand had gone on the market. Strong opposition was being voiced against the proposal in Auckland, and Vogel was announced to speak in the old Choral Hall. At that ] time Sir George Grey was Governor of the colony, and was in residence at Kawau. Mr. Jeune was anxious to see him in connection with the matter, and for three weeks tried to get to the island, but without result. “I just waited my chance,” he said,

“and it came. I heard that there was to be a Presbyterian picnic on the island, so I turned Presbyterian and got down with the crowd. When Sir George Grey saw me he was surprised. I asked him it we could prevent Vogel speaking in Auckland, to which he replied, ‘Oh, no; but you can have somebody to speak against him.’ ... Turned Oft the Gas. “Well, the night of the great speech arrived, and the Choral Hall was packed. Vogel got a hostile reception, but. lie beat it down and spoke tor a couple of hours and carried the audience. To make success doubly sure, however, Vogel had arranged for someone to turn off the gas at the meter immediately he had finished, and that was done. One of the strong oppositionists said he had a packet cf candles and commenced to light them. But the crowd would not slay to hear him, and he was speaking to an empty hall. Vogel went Homo and borrowed some millions, the worst day s work that was ever done for New Zealand.’’ Mr. Jeune, who is still a bachelor, enjoys life, is full of humour, and Is now spending the evening of his eventful life in comfortable quarters at the Costlcy •Home, Auckland.