GOLDEN WEDDING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 231, 30 September 1930, Page 3

GOLDEN WEDDING.

ME. AXD MRS. J. P. VAUSE

Mr. and Mrs. John P. Vause, of Dcvonport. celebrate the golden anniversary of their wedding to-morrow. Mrs. Vause was born at Wolverhampton, England, and came to New Zealand with her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hood, in the ship Golden City, about 1802. At one time her father had a business in Shortland Street. Mr. Yause was born in IS-39 at Ivawhia, where his father, the late Mr. George Vause, was a general trader in the early days of the colony. When rtouble broke out with the Maoris the few white settlers there had to leave hurriedly, and, Raglan being occupied by British soldiers, Mr. Vause's parents took refuge there. Some years later they removed to Onehunga. One of Mr. Vause's earliest recollections is of being hurriedly taken on board the Government steamer Sturt at Raglan when a raid by the natives was expected. Luckily the raid did not eventuate, and next -day all the women and children went ashore again. Mr, Vause joined the postal service at Onehiinga when a lad, he and the postmaster, the late Mr. C. J. Berry, being the ■whole staff in those days. Later he was transferred to Wellington, Duncdiu, and back to Auckland. In ISSO lie was appointed postmaster at Mangonui, then the northernmost telegraph oflice hi New Zealand. Telephones were not introduced till some years later. Mr. Vause was married to Miss Hood at Mangonui in 1880. Afterwards he was stationed at Mercer, To Aroha, and Te Awaimitu, remaining at the latter place for 22 years. Jn 1909 he was appointed postmaster at Elliott Street, and he retired on superannuation in 1915. The years since have been spent at Devonport. There are seven children, IS grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.