OPOTIKI’S “G.O.M.”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 518, 22 November 1928, Page 7

OPOTIKI’S “G.0.M.”

DR. ALEXANDER REID’S LIFE HARDY NONAGENARIAN Still an outdoor man, with an active walk and a straight back, is the “grand old man of Opotiki,” Dr. Alexander Reid, of Otara, who will reach the great age of 96 on December 15. Although suffering from deafness, the doctor retains his faculties to a remarkable degree, and can relate incidents of many years back. Dr. Reid is very proud of his home and its surroundings. PLANTER OF TREES The home is surrounded by trees of all descriptions, including huge pinus insignis. Practically every tree was planted by the doctor himself, and he is particularly proud of one pinus insignis tree which he plante ’’ about 45 years ago, and which to-day measures ISJ feet in circumference, and rises to”a great height. A splendid orange grove was planted at practically the same time, and to-day these very old fruit trees still yield oranges of splendid flavour. The seasons are not so good as they were many years ago, according to the doctor, who remarked that there appeared to have •been a big change.since the Tarawera eruption.

“People at Home would be amazed at th© rapid growth of the pinus insignis trees in New Zealand,” he stated. He recalled a plantation of these trees that had been planted in England

when he was practising there, and which after about 16 years’ growth were still only small trees. When he first arrived in Opotiki the land on part of his property was very swampy, and not knowing whether there was danger from malaria or not, the doctor as a precaution planted a large number of eucalyptus trees along a creek flowing through the property. The doctor is loud in his praises of the New Zealand climate, and particularly that of the Bay of Plenty, which in his opinion is second to none. He contrasted the climate if th; Dominion with that of the northern parts of England, where, lie said, it was a rare thing to have a really fine day. Dr. Reid was born in 1832 and had lived in the reign of four of England’s monarchs. He had a flourishing medical practice in Glasgow when his health broke down at the age of 27. This was brought about by having to attend an urgent case in a very severe snowstorm. He secured a position as doctor on board an immigrant ship, the Maori, arriving in Auckland in 1859. THRILLS AT SHANGHAI He decided to visit Whangarei and accompanied a -party of immigrants In a cutter to that settlement, the then superintendent of Auckland Province being also a passenger. On the voyage back to England it was his intention to see everything. His boat called at Shanghai at the time when war had been declared on China by England and France. At that time the European settlement was quite apart from the native quarters, and lie decided to have a look right through the town. The captain tried to dissuade him. He went to the entrance of the city, where there was a large archway. Tied high up on the archway were three baskets, each containing the head of a Chinese pirate. As soon as lie went through tlie arcliway he was attacked by scores of dogs, and thought he W’ould be eaten alive. He procured a good heavy waddy, and then had no further trouble with dogs. Although he went from end to end of the city he met with no interference and visited several joss houses. Altogether a month was spent in China, and he had a fine time. He was greatly taken by the Chinese and tound them honest, decent fellows, and very hard-working. . The trip put him on his legs again and he put in many years of ha.rd work at Tow Law, Couinty Durham, in the North of England. His health aimin failed and he was compelled to relinquish his practice there and resolved to settle in New Zealand. Before leaving Tow Law, Dr. Reid was presented bv the Royal College of Physic, London. and the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, with a sliver tea and coffee set, and an illuminated address for liis good work. It was in 1876 that Dr. Reid left England for New Zealand and he landed first in Auckland, going to Opotiki in 1877. He has lived in this district ever since. The doctor pointed with pleasure to several almanacs on his study wall and stated that they had been sent to him by the children of mothers whom he had assisted into the world. The doctor still takes a great interest in everything that goes on in the world and discussed the present political problem brought about by the General Election. In his opinion the Labour Party held the key to the present situation. Although the day was cold and windy when the doctor showed his visitors around his gardens and orange grove, he refused to wear an overcoat and said he did not feel the cold.