KING’S EMPIRE VETERANS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 December 1930, Page 5

KING’S EMPIRE VETERANS

AUCKLAND’S OLDEST MEMBER. “SLINGS AXE 'AT 88.” “Still able to filing an axe all day and not feel any the worse for it, although nearly 88 years of age,” describes in his own words the good health enjoyed bj Mr. Robert .Fltzmaurice Sandes, probably the oldest member of the King’s Empire Veterans in Auckland. • J Mr. Sandes, who was born in. Corfu, of Irish parentage, received his education at Queen’s ■ College,- Cork, and Queen’s University, Dublin, - where he qualified as a chemist. He came to New Zealand in the ship Gertrude in 1863,' landing at Auckland two days after the wreck of H.M.S. Orpheus on the Manukau Bar. The Gertrude made the trip in 93 days, then considered a very fast time. Her passengers were mostly what were known as “40-acre settlers,” the Government at that time making grants of land to encourage immigration. Mr. Sandes started in business as a chemist in Auckland, but went to Thames at the time of the gold rush. He remained there until 1876, when he moved to Hamilton, where he carried on his business for about *4O yegts. During the Maori War he served as a colour-sergeant in the 3rd Waikato Regiment. ' In recent years Mr. Sandes has lived in retirement with his daughter, Mrs. Henry Upton, of East Tamaki.