Diamond Wedding For Opawa Couple
Well-known residents of Opawa for more than 40 years, Mr and Mrs A. J. Wickes, celebrated their diamond wedding on Saturday at a family dinner party, held at the home of their son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs A. Tucker, of Vincent place.
As two young school teachers they were married in Greymouth by the Rev. R. Stewart on December 26. 1904, which was also Mrs Wickes’s twenty-first birthday. Mr Wickes, who was born on February 29, 1876 (leap year) celebrated his twentyfirst birthday only this year. Teaching Posts
At the time of their marriage, Mr Wickes was headmaster at Blackball School, a post he held for 17 years. From 1918 to 1920 he was headmaster at Pleasant Point School, South Canterbury, and from there he was transferred to the same post at the Opawa School from 1920 to 1927. For the next five years he was headmaster at Waltham School. When he retired in 1932 he had been in the profession for 41 years, without missing any teaching time by being late or absent. Life Members
Both Mr and Mrs Wickes are life members of the Opawa Bowling Club, although
they have not played for some years.
Now 88 and 81 respectively, they keep reasonably good health and live alone in their home at Vincent place under the eye of their daughter, Mrs Tucker, who lives next door. Mr Wickes still looks after his garden and his fowls. Their main interests now lie in their family. They have three daughters and one son. A daughter, Mrs H. J. Fleming, of Sydney, their son-in-law and daughter, Mr and Mrs J. B. MacFarlane, of Opawa, three grandchildren and Mrs G. Bignell, of Merivale (Mrs Wickes’s sister and a bridesmaid) attended the diamond wedding celebration. Their son, Mr Alfred Wickes (Hamilton), who, with his wife and son, is now on a tour of the United States, sent greetings to his parents. Flowers, telegrams, cards of congratulations and good wishes came from many friends, including one from Mr N. E. Kirk, M.P. for Lyt-
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30634, 28 December 1964, Page 2
Word Count
346Diamond Wedding For Opawa Couple Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30634, 28 December 1964, Page 2
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