GOLDEN WEDDING.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVI, Issue 48, 26 November 1909, Page 5

GOLDEN WEDDING.

MR AND MRS M'KINLAY, STIRLING Fifty years ago at Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire, Scotland; Robert Mlvinlay, and Euphemia Buchanan plighted their troth and vowed 'to love and cherish each other till death should them part. It was not on a bright warm summer day such as prevailed yesterday, when the couplo celebrated their golden wedding at "Clifton Villa,"-Inch Ciutha;' it was on one of Scotland's wintry days and cautd blasts. But their hearts were warm with an undying love then, their life rosy, and youth golden. To-day tneir hearts are warmer, truer, and more loving, for faith, confidence, and kindnesses have strengthened the old sentiments, to-day their cheeks might be paled, but life with them is just as rosy ; golden youth has given place to mellowing age with its silver tints ; yet the vows of fifty years ago stand stronger than ever.

Tt was a very interesting golden wedding that was celebrated yesterday ; it recalled the tribulations and joys of the pioneering IjO's. Old ' identities know all about the McKin-\ lays, but for the general readers a brief history of the couple should not be out of place. Mr Robert M'Kinlay was born in Row, Helensburgh, Dumbartonshire (Scotland), in 1835 and was the eldest son of Robert M'Kinlay o. that town, When a lad he was apprenticed to the joining (carpentering) trade, in which he served the full term of five years. Then he.had thoughts of taking unto himself a wife but that was .after he had met Kuphemin Buchanan at a seaside resort. She was a native of Baimforil, Stirlingshire, and was the daughter of .John Buchanan, of Carron ironworks. She has the great honour of being one of the ! "Falkirk Bairns." The marriage was I -Inly celebrated, as set out above, by Rev. John Lindsay, of the Established Church, Helensburgh. The couple left Scotland in the following October (in l.%0) for NVw Zealand. They brought with them their first born, Mary, an infant of ten days on the day they set forth from their native ! and. After a long and adventurous voyage of sixteen weeks in the ship "Lady F.dgidia," they arrived at Port Chalmers in 1861.' Mr and Mrs McKinlay, directly after arrival ia the Colony, came to Balclutha, under engagement to Messrs Hunter and flarvie, contractors. With those, gentlemen the esteemed pioneer built Hie first house erected in Balclutha, which is stili standing in the town, and was known in olden days as the '"Pill Box." Mr McKinlay continued his trade as carpenter, and a man at that turn of hand was much sought after in that time. Later on he and his family settled on a section of 50 acres at Port Molyneux tor 10 years. Then, in is 72, they came to Inch Clutha—living in "Clifton Villa,"; where they have resided ever since. Mr McKinlay has for 17 years been a member of the Stirling 'School Committee, and has been a member of the Tnch Clutha Church Session for many years. During his lengthy term of' office in the church he has been closely connected with the Revs. J. M. Allan, Rev. P. Ramsay, and the present esteemed pastor, lt(j V . W. W. Brown. It was a large gathering that sat down to the rich repast sol out on the tables ranged in a big marquee at ''Clifton Villa" yesterday afternoon. there were about (10 present, including nine children of the couple, and the grown-up grandchildren. Also present were Mrs Parker, and Mr J. McKinlay, brother and sister of the "bridegroom," who had both witnessed the marriage 50 years ago, also Mr A. Melville, a shipmate. Two very fine,wedding cakes set off the massive tables, well and plentifully laden with the best of good things. ' After the meal had been concluded, felicitous and approprato speeches were made by the Rev. W. W. Brown, and MessrM P. McSkimming, sen., A. Melville, R. Wilson, Jas. McKinlay and D. T. Fleming. Mr Begg' replied to the complimentary remarks passed to the hride, and Mr Parker McKinluv suitably spoke on behalf of the McKinlay sons. The "bride and bridegro >m " briefly responded. The children are : Mrs John Fraser (Inch Clutha), Robert (carpenter, Grcymouth), John and William (Stirling), Alex., James and Thomas (Core), Parker (Bcnhar), and the youngest (laughter, Euphomia, whd is unmarried and who resides with her parents. Mary (Mrs _ Jno. ,Strachan), the eldest of the family, died at St. Bathans in IS9I. There are 28 grandchildren.

There were a number of congratulatory telegrams sent to the happy couple, and they were also tho recipients of numerous valuable and costly- presents—" too numerous to particularise." During the afternoon photos, were taken of the whole gathering and of the family—quite a big and bturdy band-and the time parsed quickly in social conversation and recollections of bye-gone days. Tb« wish was generally «tpt,es«wl

that the esteemed couple would live to celebrate their diamond wedding, and | indeed it seems likely that they win. : Mrs McKinlay is- a well-pr-escrived and cheerful lady, with a nature full of love and kindness, while Mr McKinlay is a straight and well-set-up man and does not look his years by along way. What more fitting way is there to terminate this comment on the life of two, of our worthiest settlers than by quoting the beautiful thought of Scotland's poet: John Anderson, my jo, John, We clamb the hill thegilner, And mony a can tie day, John, We've had wi' ain anilher. Now we maun totter doon, John; But hand in hand we'll-go, And. sleep thoglther at the foot, John Anderson, my jo. The following, written for the occasion by a Stirling resident, was- read j by Mr Parker McKinlay at the func- I tion yesterday :~ ' 'Tis not for ali the joy to share, Of golden weddings, they are rare : Cod in His mercy from above Some few doth spare to show His love 'Tis fifty years to-day, I trow, In Scotia's land a pair did vow Before God's altar, to be true Till death did separate the two. Upon that day the youthful pair, McKinlay and Buchanan fair, Went forth to face this world of strife, A happy husband' and a wife. The pledge they made upon that day Has .faithfully been kept alway ; We now do pra> that God may spare Them many happy years to share. And to maintain the family name, Seven sons to them's been given; Oh, may they always strive the same To keep untarnished and unriven. Two daughters also grace their life, May they their golden weddings see ; And may the eve of this world's .strife Close round about them heavenly. But. there's another. She has gone To join the bright and heavenly throng And when life's journey here is past, Oh, may you all be "safe at last." And now I wish you, aged pair, Full fifty years more joy to share ; And may you never want a friend E'er you this worldly life do end. Oh, yes_ : I really did forget, lhe '"Diamond" spree is to come yet; And I just say, as they at cricket* ' f l'o sure, dear folk, "Keep up your wicket." And if you do survive that spree, I trust you'll make your "century," And hope your family God will spare r l hese two events with you to share. To-day I wish you every joy, Slay wholesome mirth your time 'employ ; our Guide for same seek from above, I cave all with God, "the God of Love."