GOLDEN WEDDING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 284, 28 August 1935, Page 4

GOLDEN WEDDING

Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Wood

On Saturday last the golden wedding was celebrated of the two oldest residents of the Wainui-o-Mata Valley, when Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Wood entertained more than forty relatives at their home, “Northbrook.” Mr. Wood and his bride, Miss Mary Prouse, were married by the Rev. S. J. Garlick on August 25, 1885, at the hotae of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Prouse. - Both Mr. and Mrs. Wood were bom in the valley, being children of the earliest settlers, and have lived the whole of their lives in the district. It is interesting to note .that this is the first golden wedding to be celebrated in the valley.

Present at the celebration were the best man, Mr. George Wood, Shannon; the bridesmaid, Mrs. Burdan; the bride’s sister; another sister of the bride, Mrs. Collier, Christchurch; and another brother of the bridegroom, Mr. John Wood, Bunnythorpe. Mr. Wood’s eldest brother, Mr. Tom Wood, Palmerston North, was unfortunately unable tq be present. Before the proceedings commenced Margaret and Beryl Wood, granddaughters, presented bouquets to the bride and bridesmaid, and Flora Wood, another granddaughter, pinned buttonholes on the coats of the bridegroom and best man. A much-enjoyed item was a duet sung by the bride and bridegroom. During the evening Mr. John Wood, in a reminiscent speech, proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom. The bridegroom, in replying, heartily thanked all present for their attendance, and for their good wishes. He referred to various incidents of 50 years ago, perhaps the most interesting being the fact that he had ridden on bis wedding day to the home of the bride on horseback, the horse being lent to him for the occasion by the best man. After the wedding ceremony, Mr. Wood and his bride rode ro their new home in Moore's Valley on horseback.

Mr. and Mrs. Wood have a family of ten, all of whom are living. There arc twenty-five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. "