PIONEER FRENCHMAN

Evening Star, Issue 22463, 7 October 1936, Page 2

PIONEER FRENCHMAN

100TH BIRTHDAY TO-DAY VISIT FROM ARCHBISHOP AVERILL [Psr United Press Association.] HAMILTON, October 7. Still fairly sound in health, and mentally alert, Mr Philip lo Quosue, of Hamilton, is celebrating his one-hun-dredth birthday to-day. He has been in the town for over,7o years, and is a well-known figure. Born in the island of Jersey, he spent his youth there, and married on Christmas Day, 1859. Early in the year 1860 ho left to seek his fortune in New Zealand, sailing out on the ship Avond, the journey taking 110 days. Ho conducted a store in Karangahape road, Auckland, for six years, and in June, 1866, he came to Hamilton, building a store in the then military settlement. Later he built the Waikato Hotel with the first bricks made in Waikato, which he made himself. The building is still standing as the garage of an hotel. He acquired a great deal of land in the vicinity of the hotel, and built shops and conducted tho hotel until 1902, when he retired, but until two years ago conducted all his own affairs.

To-day he was able to read many conoratulatory telegrams, cables, and letters. He is the oldest continuous customer of the Bank of New Zealand, and the oldest worshipper at St. Peter s Cathedral, Hamilton, having clear recollections of attending services in tho redoubt with its shingle roofing. A Frenchman, he was renowned in early days for the wine he used to manufacture from Pnkekohc grapes and local blackberries. One of his visitors to-day was Archbishop Averill, who was 71 to-day. His visit was the culmination of a promise made to Mr !e Quesne 10 years ago, when he stated that, no matter where he ivas, if he was ably he would visit him on the occasion of his attaining his century. Tho mayor and prominent members of the community were among tho many visitors. One son, Mr Winter John le Quesno, arrived from Sydney to-day. Mrs le Quesne died in 1900. There were nine children, two sons and two daughters surviving.