BRITISH CENTENARIAN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11506, 30 September 1915, Page 4

BRITISH CENTENARIAN.

HOW HE SPENDS HIS TIME. William Heather, of Lewes, has just, celebrated his one hundred and third birthday, '"'and," ho said to a reporter who called upon him, " I feel like living many years longer. Many people say I ought to last another ten years. I should like to, for I'm only beginning to enjoy life," said the centenarian with a chuckle. William Heather was born on August 4, 1812, He went to a school kept by a shepherd-schoolmaster, and then became a bricklayer. " When I was at work on the London and Paris Hotel at Newhaven in 1848," he said, "I remember the arrival of the French King, Louis Philippe, and his Queen, who came over iu exile. They stopped at the Bridge "Hotel, but as they landed I was working on the scaffolding and helped to give them a cheer. " I've never been in London —yet, although I've had offers. But it can't be much more crowded than I/ewes on market day, so I'm not very keen about it. "Up to my hundredth birthday I was always very fond of my pipe and my glass, but when a man reaches the age of discretion lie ought to knock off something. Don't you think so? "I've had seven children. Only three are alive now. Their ages are seventy-two, sixty-nino and sixty-two; and I've got a sister living down at Worthing now, and she is 101. " What do 1 do all my days? Oh, just think of old times, enjoy the beautiful air, talk to old fneo.ds, and read when the print is fairly large. " Hollo, my dearl" cried Mr Heather, as a voung nurse came into the room, and playfully pinched her cheek. William Heather is_ still a bit of a flirt. " Well, good-bye, sir. Hope to ,see you mv next birthday."