THE “OLD BRIGADE"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 254, 27 October 1939, Page 6

THE “OLD BRIGADE"

MINISTER PLEASED TO SEE PIONEERS GATHERING AT I (ISTER’S HOTEL At afternoon tea ai Foster's Hotel on Wednesday, the Minister of Defence, Hon. f . Jones, said that he had been pleased to see many old people present at the laying of the foundation stone of the now Wanganui Chief Post Office. He was impressed with their healthy appearance. A group of the "old brigade" who had tea with the Minisie: included Messrs. David Barr (85), A. Gower (84), Robert Hughes (84), Hope Gibbons (84). William Brown (82), William Bruce (81), W. Beswick (80), and J. Siddells (80). The average age of the eight was 82i years. There were several others at the gathering in Ridgway Street earlier in the day, when the stone was laid, who were 80 years old or more, many of them born in New Zealand. One who would have liked to be there was Mr. Gregor McGregor <B2), but he underwent an operation in lhe Wanganui Public Hospital recently and has not fully recovered. His presence would have been of particular interest, in that he was on the staff of the post office in the very early days. Probably the oldest present at the laying of the stone was Mrs. McLeod, who is 90 years of age. She and her sister, Mrs. Calders, worthily represented the womenfolk of the pioneers.