NINETY-SEVEN TO-DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19070, 7 October 1933, Page 3

NINETY-SEVEN TO-DAY.

STILL HALE AND HEARTY. MR PHILIP LE QUESNE. AN INTERESTING CAREER. Still hale and hearty and in possession of all his faculties, Mr Philip Le Quesne, one of the grand old pioneers of the Waikato and New Zealand, oelebrated his ninety-seventh birthday to-day. When seen by a Waikato Times representative to-day Mr Le Quesne was in his beautiful garden at his residence, ‘‘La Retraite," and said, he was feeling well and happy. Born In the Island of Jersey on October 7, 1836 (the year before the Coronation of Queen Victoria), Mr Le Quesne has had an interesting oareer. He learned the trade

of a carpenter in Jersey Island, and remained there until he was 24 years of age. He was married on Christmas Day, 1859, and ten days later he sailed on the ship Avon for New Zealand, arriving at Auckland after a voyage of 110 days. He followed his trade as a carpenter for some time after arrival,. but after that there was nothing to do and he was thinking of going back home. His employer, Mr John Conway, who had built a store in Karangahape Road, however, suggested that he should take over the store and make a home for his wife in New Zealand. Journey to Waikato. With £3O as capital and no previous experience, Mr Le Quesne commenced on his new venture and did fairly well for six years. In 1866 a school friend suggested to him that the prospects were brighter in the Waikato, and he agreed to the suggestion, leaving Auckland on a Friday. There were no proper roads, but the pair made their way by tracks, arriving at Ngaruawahla on Sunday evening. He bought a block of land in Hamilton East, on which the Waikato Hotel now stands, from Sergeant Healey for £36. Mr Le Quesne commenced a store on the section, but as there was little business in those days he opened only in the afternoon and evenings. He then built the first Waikato Hotel out of bricks which he made himself on a section in Nixon Street. / When the main part of the hotel was completed (and what is now the garage) in 1878, Mr Le Quesne had his store shifted across the road. Ho leased the hotel, but later took it over himself. In conjunction with his storekeeping business he conducted a post office, being Hamilton’s first postmaster. In the' early seventies Mr Le Quesne was a member of tlie Hamilton Town Board, which planted the trees along the main avenue on the East side of the river. For a long time the only means of crossing the river was by way of a punt. Keen Church Supporter. During the 07 years he has lived in Hamilton he has taken a keen Interest in St. Peter’s Church, and acted for most of the time as a vestryman and sidesman. Mr Le Quesne paid for the Installation of the lighting when the present Cathedral was built, and when the recent additions were made he donated £72 to cover the cost of re-arranging the lighting of the building. Mrs Le Quesne died in 1900. Mr Le Quesne’s sons are Mr W. J. Le Quesne, of New South Wales, and Mr A. Le Quesne, of Auckland, and his daughters are Mrs C. Quick and- Miss E. Le Quesno, of Hamilton. There are six grandchildren and two greatgrandchildren. Mr Le Quesne, although he retired from active commercial life in 1902, still conducts his own private business affairs In his little “den," thus keeping in touch with his property and other interests. Mr Le Quesne was inundated to-day with telegrams and messages from all parts of tho Dominion and from Jersey > Island. Ho is the oldest customer of I the Bank of New Zealand and included among the messages was one from Sir 11. Buckleton, general manager.