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wooden gift box He’s stopped a robbery in its tracks, prevented two buildingsfrom burning to the ground and helped a comatose person out of thegutter.

But Philip Squire is no policeman.

Rather, the 75-year-old is an East & Bays Courier delivery manwho has walked the same route twice a week for 25 years.

And along the way the Remuera resident, who celebrates themilestone today, has had some interesting experiences.

"Oh, the stories I could tell you," he says.

"It can be exciting at night. You see a bit of life. Some daysI come home and say: ‘It’s been quite a dramatoday’."

Dramas like the night he smelt smoke from a garage while walkingalong Dromone Rd.

"The fire brigade had been there during the day and doused it,but it was smouldering a bit, probably because there was a bit of abreeze, which set it going again."

He stopped at a phone booth and called the Fire Service.

If he wasn’t walking that path, who knows what could havehappened, he says.

On one occasion he walked past the old post shop on the corner ofRemuera Rd and Victoria Ave to see the post- boxes on the outsidewere ablaze.

"Some clowns had come along and chucked lighted material intothe post boxes. I happened to be around and saw thoseirresponsibles do it," he says.

Firefighters were called and the post office was saved from furtherdamage.

Another day, while walking through the Remuera shops, Mr Squirespotted a man sitting atop the National Bank and asuspicious-looking woman in an orange car.

"I thought that was a bit funny, I’d better get to aphone.

"The police said they were one minute away. It turned out shewas a known drug addict."

He says the man and woman were working as a team to break into achemist. The man had been acting as a lookout, but escaped beforepolice could catch him, he says.

Mr Squire’s wife Ana says the lost property box at theNewmarket police station became a frequent hotspot for herhusband’s finds.

During his walks he has picked up wallets, a counterfeit $10 note,a typewriter, jewellery and passports.

He even received a letter of commendation from the police.

"A few years ago someone said I should give it up because Iwas in hospital with a bad knee and hip," Mr Squire says.

"But it gives me exercise. I enjoy walking and I’m afirm believer that if you don’t do a bit of exerciseyou’ll end up like a piece of wood – stiff as anything– and no one can help you then."

The former builder used to deliver the paper with his three sons,but for the last 16 years he has been doing it solo.

The East & Bays Courier is owned by Suburban Newspapers andcirculation manager circulation manager Phil Aitken says Mr Squireis a conscientious and diligent worker and his lengthy contributionis appreciated.

Mr Aitken says Mr Squire’s efforts will be rewarded with agift from the company.