When the clerk or deputy clerk of any district court of a county of the first class, having a population of over eight hundred thousand, shall have been for thirty years continuously in such public office or position and in the public office or position of clerk and assistant clerk of a district court of a city within such county and shall have reached the age of sixty-five years, the board of chosen freeholders of said county shall allow his retirement from such service upon his own request; provided, such clerk or deputy clerk has complied with the provisions of this act.
N.J.S. § 43:9A-1