GOLDEN WEDDING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 147, 28 July 1914, Page 4

GOLDEN WEDDING.

ME AND MRS J. G. MURRAY.

Yesterday marked an important event in the lives of Mr and Mrs J. G. Murray, of '' Hartley,'' Dyer's Pass Road, Cashmere Hills, for on that day they completed the fiftieth year of their wedded life, and the occasion was fittingly celebrated with a reunion of their children, grand-children, other relatives, and friends. A large luncheon party was held, and an afternoon tea, the guests being accommodated in a huge marquee erected in the pretty grounds surrounding "Hartley." Very pretty and picturesque looked the interior of the marquee, the pillars being wreathed with evergreens and flowering vines, gaily-coloured bunting giving a holiday touch to the scene. Carpets were laid down, and easy chairs and settees were distributed along the walls. The T-9haped table was decorated with golden friesias, narcissi, and the festoon of greenery around the pillars and walls were tied with goldencoloured bows. Altogether the wdiole scheme was very beautiful, artistic, and

appropriate. At about one o 'clock a champagne luncheon was srrved, the seats of honour at the cross table being occupied by Mr and Mrs Murray, having on their right their eldest son, Mr George Murray, and on their left their eldest daughter, Mrs Rollason, who came specially from Australia to be present at the fiftieth anTiiversary of her parents' wedding. The health of Mr and Mrs Murray was pledged in the most enthusiastic and loving fashion, am] it was felt by everyone that the occasion was a glad and, at the same time, a most touching one. In the afternoon a tea was served to a party of guests numbering nearly sixty. Amongst the guests at both luncheon and tea were Mrs Dvs, Dr and Miss Nedwill, Rev J. and Mrs Cocks, Miss Nona Murray, Mr and Mrs Harry Murray, Mr and Mrs .lames Hay and Miss Hay, Mr and Mrs Cotterill, Mr David Gebbie, Mrs William Gebbie and Miss Kate Gebbie, Mr John Williams and Miss Ella Williams, Mrs John Gebbie and the Misses Florrie and Dora Gebbie, Mrs Preston, Mr and Mrs Fred

Murray,' Mr and Mrs Campbell Gebbie,

Nurse Murray, Misses Ivy and Ruby Gebbie, Mr and Mrs Frank Murray, Miss Ethel Murray, Misses Annie and Flo Bruce, Mrs Walker, Mr and Mrs Way, Mr J. J. Thompson, Mr and Mrs Cecil Ollivier, Mr and Miss Brittan, Mrs Chas. Cook, Mr and Mrs George Murray Mr and Mrs Chas. Murray, Mr and Mrs Jack Murray, Mr and Mrs Rollason, Mr and Mrs Hawkes, and Miss Eva Hawkes, Mr and Mrs Rittson Thomas, and Miss Thomas, Mrs Gebbie, Misses Helen and Ellen Gebbie, and Mrs Hilgendorf, and Mr Cecil Mur-

Some very beautiful gifts were received by Mr and Mrs Murray from their relatives and friends.

Mr John George Murray was born at Hartley House, Clousden, Surrey, England, in the year IS,'>6. He came to New Zealand as a lad of fifteen by the barque Labium, landing in Canterbury on August 12, ISSI. Thirteen years later, on July 27, 18(54, he married Miss Mary Gebbie, the Rev Chas. Fraser, Presbyterian minister, performing the ceremony at Port Victoria, now known as Teddington.

Mrs Murray is a New Zealander by birth, being one of tbe first white children to be born in the North Island.

Her parents were amongst the earlypioneers who came out from the Home Land to see what life in a new country would yield, and the Aurora, the boat which brought them here on January 22, 1840, was one of the very first to leave England for New Zealand shores with passengers. Their daughter Mary (Mrs Murray) was born on July 5, 1842, at Oakwiwi, Fort Nicholson, North Island. New Zealand.

Mr and Mrs Murray, who, despite their advanced age, still look remarkably hale and well, can tell many interesting reminiscences of the early New Zealand days, when the means of locomotion and communication were ~aot what they are to-day, ami the country was in a much more primitive and simple state. When they were married, fifty years ago, they set off on their honeymoon journey ou horse back — rather an experience, in the depth of a New Zealand winter. Yet the passage of those strenuous years have left no marks but kindly and gracious ones. Mr and Mrs Murray have grown old gracefully and beautifully, and now the evening of their days is, as the poet sings, '' lovely as a Lapland night,'' surrounded by the love and respect of their children, and their children's children. The seven children that were

born of the marriage are all surviving, and are all married, with the exception of the youngest daughter. They aiv Messrs George, Noel Frank, and Arthur .John Murray, Mesdames Kollason, Hawkes, Rittson Thomas, and Miss Murray. There are also seventeen grandchildren.