GOLDEN WEDDING

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 226, 19 June 1940, Page 4

GOLDEN WEDDING

Rev. and Mrs. T. W. Vealie, Lower Hutt The Rev. T. AV. an'd Mrs. Vealie celebrated their golden wedding at au enjoyable evening in AA’esley Hall, Lower Hutt, recently. The guests were received by Airs. B. AV. Gandell and Air. and Mrs. R. S. Craig, daughters and son-in-law of the guests of honour. Air. B. AV. Gandell, who is away on war work overseas, was represented by his brother, Air. E. Gandell, Auckland. Airs. A’calie wore a gown of black velvet relieved with a spray of gold leaves, and carried a bouquet of autumn-toned flowers, a gift from the women of the Nelson South Alethodist Church. Alany congratulatory speeches Avere .made during the evening, and hopes were expressed that Air. and Airs. Vealie might spend many more happy years together. Among those present were the Rev. an'd Airs. Percy Baris, the Rev. and Aire. F. J. Parker, the Rev. aud Airs. R. Raine, the Rev. and Airs. F. Greenwood, and the Rev. P. Keall. Air. and Airs. Vealie were both born at the little village of St. Just, Cornwall, England, where Sir Charles Luke, AVellington, was ibom, and they lived next door. Airs. A T ealie was a Aliss Louise Lanyon. The Lanyon family left for New Zealand in 1874 and settled in Lyttelton. The churches in Lyttelton were always tilled in those 'days, as the ships’ companies, from the captain down, always attended Divine service. The AVcst Coast gold rush occurred when Airs. Vealie was a girl. Alany of their friends went, some being very successful, others losing their all.

Mr. and Airs. A’calie corresponded from the time they were able to write, and eventually Aliss Lanyon went to America to be marric'd. Her husband chose teaching as a career, and attended a London teachers’ training college, subsequently taking up teaching for a number of years. However, the church called, and he entered a Weslcyau training college in London. In the meantime, sonic of bis fellow students had gone to America to enter the ministry, and so keen were they for Air. Vealie to join them that they cabled him to that effect, and it was not long before he followc'd. He was appointed to a little charge at Stockbridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A., by the Methodist Episcopal Church conference. This church differs somewhat from the Alethodist Church of New Zealand, in that it includes bishops, and its ministers wear gowns. Aliss Lanyon left New Zealand for in IS9O. She was fortunate during the journey across America in having the company of an English M.P., Air. Shepherd Allen, aud his family, who was a son ot Sir Joseph Allen, till recently Governor of Samoa.

Miss Vealie expressed the opinion that a person of English birth could never “change her stripes,” an'd ever really, become one with such entirely different surroundings. Stockbridge was a perfect little gem of a summer resort for the wealthy Americans, set in the Berkshire Hills. Lawns sloped down to the streets, for there were no fences, and were kept in perfect order by the coloured people, and the streets were lined witli beautiful trees. After two years at Stockbridge. Air. Vealie was transferred to Hyde Park, where President Roosevelt lives. It is nearly .100 miles from New York, and situated on the Hudson River. In the winter the river was frozen so hard that a wagon and four horses could pass safely over it, said Airs. Vealie. Large ocean liners penetrated right up the Hudson to Hyde Park. The summer, which lasted only three months, was fiercely hot. and the growth had to be seen to be believed. Spring seemed almost Io spring into being overnight. After a year or so there. Airs. Vealie brought her husband to New Zealand, where they have lived for 46 years. Air. Vealie’s itinerary has included towns all over the North and South Islands, front Auckland to Dunedin, other towns at which he was stationed being Taurtmga, Feilding, Reefton, Greymouth, Dtme'din Christchurch, Ashburton, Wellington an'd Christchurch. He was at Nelson for 18 mouths, retiring to Lower Hutt eight months ago. His graciousness of manner, gentle humour, syjnptithy and understanding, greatly endeared Air. Vealie to bis parishioners wherever he may have been. Mrs. Vealie has been a gracious helpmeet for her husband, both in the parsonage and in church activities.

Leaving for Australia. Mrs. J. B. C. Crau, Lower Hutt, entertained a number of guests at her home on Saturday afternoon to bid farewell to her sister, Miss Eileen Walker, Island Bay, who will -leave this month for Australia. Mrs. B. Teviotdale, Wanganui, is a visitor to Wellington.