Large Family Naturalised

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32117, 13 October 1969, Page 24

Large Family Naturalised

The largest family ever to be naturalised in the one ceremony in New Zealand took the oath of allegiance at a meeting of the Rangiora County Council on Friday afternoon. They are Mr and Mrs J. H. M. Van Beek of Fernside and six of their family of eight boys and one girl. “New Zealand is not by any standard an old country some persons in this room would be third generation descendants of the original colonists,” said the county chairman (Mr C. L. Morris). “The population has developed from people such as you who have emigrated from different parts of the world. “To be asked to confer naturalisation is one of the most pleasant duties I have, especially considering that you came from halfway round the world, found this country to your liking, and decided to make it your nationality,’’ said Mr Morris.

said mr morris. A representative of the Internal Affairs Department, Mr W. de Malanche, said that the Van Beek family was the largest to have been naturalised at one ceremony. The photograph shows Mr and Mrs Van Beek (seated), their six sons who took the oath of allegiance (standing),

their three other children who are New Zealanders by birth (sitting), and a daughter-in-law, Mrs C. A. J. M. Van Beek formerly Miss A. McLaughlin (standing on the right-hand side of her husband). Also naturalised at the same ceremony was Mrs J. E. Rainey.