N.Z.’S OLDEST MAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 430, 11 August 1928, Page 5

N.Z.’S OLDEST MAN

DEATH AT NEW PLYMOUTH JOINED FIRST POLICE FORCE Believed to be the oldest man in New Zealand, Mr. Denis Ryan died at Huiroa, New Plymouth, on Friday.,. He celebrated his 103rd birthday on July 17. Born near Managh, Tipperary, Ireland, Mr. Ryan spent his early life there, but while still a young man he went to Adelaide in the ship Lord Hungerford. He worked at the Ballarat and Bendigo gold diggings for four or five years, and then joined the mounted police force which escorted gold from the diggings to Melbourne. Hearing of the discovery of gold at Gabriel’s Gully, Mr. Ryan came to New Zealand, but was unsuccessful and went to Dunedin, where he joined Sir John Brannigan’s police force, the first in the Dominion. Later he joined the police force at 'Wellington, and while an officer he escorted Governor Sir John Fergnsson, father of the present Governor-General, on a tour of inspection of the beaches round the coast. Mr. Ryan was one of the oldest settlers of Tawa Flat, near Wellington, taking up land there after having been at Porirua for about 10 years, farming successfully for nearly 30 years.' He then retired from active work. Mrs. Ryan predeceased her husband about lour years ago at the age of 79. Mr. Ryan is survived by two sons and two daughters, Messrs G. D. Ryan and C. Ryan, and Mesdames W. Ironmonger, of New Plymouth, and D. Gray, of Omata. Two sons were killed on active service, one in the Boer War and the other in the Great War.