OLDEST MAN IN THE WORLD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1921, Page 6

OLDEST MAN IN THE WORLD.

MR. W. T. JENNINGS’ STORY. MARRIED WHEN 146 V YEARS OLD. Upon his rturn to New Zealand Mr. W. T. Jennings, member for Waitomo, who has just made a tour of the world (including Turkey), related some interesting experiences. He told a story of an old Turk, Zaro, of Constantinople, who had recently married at the age of 146. In the lobbies of the Jlonse and in Bellamy’s the story wa.discussed by members, astonishment and doubt alternating. Some scepticwent so far as to decry the authenticity of the story. •Strange to say the last mail brought the following confirmation: —A special cable to the American papers trom | Paris, dated September 29, reported that ' Zaro of Constantinople, aged 146, and “the oldest man in the world,” had married for the fourth timfe. This matured human relic had surrendered his heart to a beautiful Turkish girl aged 25. Among the attributes calculated to fit him for his new matrimonial venture' is the development of a new set of teeth and a fresh growth of hair at the blossoming age of 109. His internal economy not been outdone, however, for it is stated that at 105 he had developed a third kidney. This evidence of unusual rejuvenation, one may assume, has not hampered him in continuing his occupation as a porter in a munitions factory, a job he has held down since that period of callow youth when he had barely attained 111 years. Was it not Zaro who, annoyed at the truculence and disobedience of one of his younger sons, aged 96, went outside ’ and gave the young rascal the father of a hiding?