80th BIRTHDAY

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 359, 16 September 1933, Page 5

80th BIRTHDAY

Hale and Hearty Still MB. A. W. REID CELEBRATES Eighty years of age on Thursday last. Mr A. W. Reid, Miranda Street, Stratford, is still hale and hearty. The anniversary was the occasion of an almost' cpmplete gathering of Mr Reid's family of seven for a "reunion dinner." ' '^ Mr Reid certainly gave the lie to any suggestion that a man is too old at: 40—judging by Mr Reid's appearance he is . nowhere near too old at twice that age. An extravagant estimate would have made his ago at the most 65. Mr Reid explained that his

family made it;their aijri. to gather at " home on his birthday, and this year they had as near a full attendance as has yet been possible. Six of the se*en were there, Mr Alec Reid (Auckland), Robert Reid (Wharehuia), Mr and-Mrs John Reid (Mangorel), Mr and Mrs George Reid (Wellington), Mr James Reid (Bird Road) and Mr and Mrs F. K. Wllkic (Napier). Mr William Roid (Tc Puke) yas not able to attend but sent a telegram. Mr Reid Ireccived numerous, tele-

grama and letters', 1 "Heartiest congratulations on attaining:-80th brithday; you may be 80,' but you dbn't look it" was the happiest of them. The brethren of Lodge Stratford sent their congratulations,' and "assure you of our remembrance of /you as first mas: ter of the lodge's—which was many

years ago, but is still ono of Mr Reid]s proudest recollections. Mr John Petrio ,sen. Who Is slightly junior to-Mr Reid ■ also sent his congratulations. / 50 Years in Straitford Mr Reid has been in New Zealand ever since he was seven years old, and came to the Stratford district 50 years ago. He. went to live on Bird Road then, when it was but a pig track and travellers had to cross the Ngaerc stream on a log. "Our first house was pit-sawn and the sawyer was John Hall who died the other day," said Mr Reid'. After 20 years.his family had moved away and Mr and Mrs Reid came to Stratford, where he set up in the engineering trade, which had always been his hobby. He did much work for'the Public Works Department, designed the A'.WIR. milking machine and made three steam cars, among other things. Dairy factories were being built all over Taninalci at the time and Mr Reid made two or three water turbines and a great deal

of machinery for these concerns. >, It was after the war that Mr Reid had an illness that sent him to hospital, and after that he went for a trip to England and went into retirement. Retirement, however/ does not mean to Mr Reid what it means to most other people. Offlcally he has been on the retired list for 12 years, but, however, he said yesterday with as much crispness in his voice as a man 30 years younger," I can't leave the work. We l made a caravan last year and went away to Tauranga with it attached to the car. "Just to Keep me out of Mischief" "There have been a lot of inquiries, so I am making another," added the veteran, with a twinkle in his eye, "just to keep me out of mischief. A man must have something to do.'' The caravan in question was an ingenious folding affair, the roof of which was raisablo when stationary to make it irto a two-bunk cabin, complete with "table and electric light, removable sidecurtains and clothes hooks. Mr Reid had another in, process of construction.

Mr Reid has hart come experience of local body work, having been a member of the road board in the early days, and' later on the Strat- *■ ford County Council for five years. "It is a thankless job," said Mr Reid. "You p n t. all the kicks, and the stratehter and the more honest you sire, the more kicks you get," Finally, Mr Reid was. put the stock qu'estiori that youth !.sks hnle and hearty age. To what do you attribute your good health at four-score years? The secret was simple, said Mr Reid, rather modestly, one thought. It wo-, merely to take good care of yourse'f, keep regular habits, and have sonrthin<? continuously to occupy one's mind.