MAN AGED 113 YEARS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 60, 30 March 1943, Page 5

MAN AGED 113 YEARS

LIVES IN NEW ZEALAND Mr Patrick Lucas Hamilton, Mackenzie Road, Pl'easant. Point, South Canterbury, who celebrated ins 113 th birthday on Wednesday, has been established beyond doubt as the oldest man in the Dominion, and almost certainly the oldest whit© man in the British Empire - Born in County Donegal, Ireland, on St. Patrick's Day, in the. reign of George IV., Mr Hamilton came to New Zealand and settled at Pleasant Point in 1869, and the cob hnt he built for himself at that time he has lived in ever since;, and ssr living in it to-day. Some time ago investigation Avas made to prove beyond dispute tlia year in which Mr Hamilton was born, and from reports sent from Ireland the question was cleared ui> to the satisfaction of all. On an earlier birthday a congratulatory cablegram was received from the King and Queen, and this is * not done except where the. authority for the proving of the age is beyond doubt. Mr Hamilton, who, during hi.s long life, has worked at all classes of fanning is to-day enjoying good health, which, until he broke a leit about three, years; ago, was perfect. He is in possession of all his faculties, and is able to tell from memory the many interesting stories of his life, wlicli has so far beien spent under seven British monarchs,