Vice-Regal telegram to couple

Press, 5 January 1987, Page 6

Vice-Regal telegram to couple

Mr Reginald Cox, aged 84, shows his wife, Agnes, aged 79, a telegram from the Governor-General, Sir Paul Reeves, which congratulates them on 60 years of married life. Relaxing’after a family barbecue at the week-end, Mr Cox; recalled his marriage in Invercargill, in 1927. It was a far more hectic day than the celebrations at the week-end, he said. "The marriage ceremony was at 10.30 a.m. but we had to be at the railway station to catch the 1.20 p.m. express to Dunedin for our honeymoon.” Travel became a way of

life for-the couple, as Mr Cox taught in a variety of schools in the South Island. , In 42 years teaching Mr Cox served with every education board in the South Island. His main appointment was as headmaster of Darfield District High School. Although Mr and Mrs Cox have lived in Christchurch since 1956, both

originally came from Southland. Mr Cox was born in Invercargill, and his’wife in Otautau.

The couple met at a weekly dance in the InvercargillTown Hall, and marriage followed a three year courtship. Appropriately Mr Cox was teaching at Otautau by the time he married. Mr Cox had no recipe for a diamond marriage apart from “a bit of give and take and a happy loving family life.” This latter ingredient was evident during the week-end. Of the 31 members of their family, only one could not attend the celebration.