GOLDEN WEDDING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 31, 7 February 1927, Page 11

GOLDEN WEDDING.

MR. AND MRS. WALTER BOWES. TARXELL. To tlic happy band of pioneers of this Dominion who have celebrated their golden welling has to be added the names of Mr. and .Mrs. Walter F. Bowes, of 201. Parnell Road. who. in the presence of their relatives and numerous friends, are to-day celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. It is now a far cry back to Februarv 7. 1>77. at W annanui. grown since from a small settlement then recovering from the fears and tribulations of the Maori war into the fifth city of the Dominion, when Mr. Bowes was united in the bonds of holy matrimony by the late Rev. Rainsford Bavin, of the Church of England, to Ellen, daughter of the late Mr. .fames McElwain. who originally came out from England as a bugler with one of the Imperial regiments, with which Ire saw active service in the hostilities against the natives. Mr. Bowes had then been in Xew Zealand only three years. Born at Ramsgate. Kent. England, in ISol. he was lured by the prosnect of a new and adventurous life in Britain's far-off possessions, and at the aire of i.'J vears left the land of his birth in the good sixip W aircato. on which were .'Jim) prospective settlers for Xew Zealand. Of that band but few remain to-day. though their descendants are scattered throughout the length and breadth of the land, including Sir John Luke. C.M.G., of Wellington. After a brief connection with the Public Works Department, Mr. Bowes joined the Railway Department, with which lit; served as an engine-driver tor the long perioil of nearly 34 years before retiring on well-deserved superannuation in 1011. He had, therefore, seen the railways as a State institution grow from a robust infant into its present Dominion-wide service. Way back in the seventies the facilities were of the most primitive nature, the locomotives being as pigmies compared with the giants of to-day. During his twelve veara 1 residence at WanganuL'Mr. Bowes assisted oh the engine the opening of the first section of the Wanganui railways, that portion from Aramoho to Turakina. In reminiscent view, he can interestingly recall the many incidents of those early days—how the trains would be held up owing to insufficiency of power to mount the big incline on this section, or while they waited to pick up passengers, who, like the train, more honoured the observance of the time-table in the breach than in the observance. Again Mr. Bowes was on the engine of the first passenger train from Wanganui to Hawera. an event which marked the connecting of the Wanganui with the Xew Plymouth section. After his sojourn in Wanganui Mr. Bowes transferred to Xorth Canterbury, and was present at the opening of the Ethelton-Domett section on the Waipara branch: in fact, his engine actually broke the tapes on that occasion, the special train containing the late Richard John Seddon, who performed the ceremony, having b%en delayed. In these early days Mr. Bowes frequently drove the old double Fairlie engine Josephine, which was on view at the recent Dunedin Exhibition. After a period in Xorth Canterbury, Mr. Bowes returned to the Xorth Island, being stationed at Kawakawa in 1911, when he retired. Xaturally in the course of this long service in the railways Mr. Bowes has witnessed a great transformation, the service being improved and brought up to date out of all recognition of its former struggling self. Quite apart from the locomotives growing from 20 tons to 00 tons in weight, he has seen the old staff system replaced by the tablet as we know it to-day: the dial superseded by the telephone, etc.. and the permanent way rails and bridges relaid and made heavier and more substantial on several occasions. It is noteworthv, also, that during the long service. Mr. Bowes was never once concerned in a serious accident, so that his record is one of long and faithful service without blemish. Prior to her marriage. Mrs. Bowes lived with her parents in Wanganui. and as a girl went through the Maori war of the 'sixties, of which stirring events she has a >erv vivid memorv. recalling with interest the fears and alarms that frequently beset the little settlement during those hectic days, when food was rationed to the people, who. many a time, had only the barest necessities of life doled out to them. Coming of the hardy stock of pioneers who so well and faithfully laid the foundation or this prosperous Dominion. Mr. and Mrs. Bowes have proved themselves worthy of the best traditions of the race? facing the vicissitudes of the earlv davs with courage and resolution anil proving themselves worthy and estimable citizens of the State. Of the issue of twelve children, fix are at present living, while in addition there are 16 grandchildren. The stfrviving members of the family are: Mr. Walter Frederick Bowes, engineer on the cable ship at Callao: Mrs. S. M. Fox. of 2.31. Parnell Road: Mrs. R. C. Bunting, of Medbury. Canterbury: Mr. Thomas E. Bowes, of the Post and Telegraph Office. Christchurch: Mrs. C. Thompson, of Ponsonby, and Mrs. A. Turner, of Mount Aibert. To-day Mr. and Mrs. Bowes have been the recipients of numerous congratulations, both telegraphic and otherwise, on the attainment of their golden jubilee, together with best wishes for continud good health, happiness and long life.