GOLDEN WEDDING PARTY

Feilding Star, Volume 9, Issue 3758, 29 June 1932, Page 8

GOLDEN WEDDING PARTY

TO MR AND MRS CHAS. HOPPING A HAPPY GATHERING Air and Airs Charles flopping, probably the. best known of the pioneer settlors of the Kortgotea district, were married at Taipo road, Rongotoa, on June aB, 18S2— 50 years ago yesterday. The Rev. Mr Worker, of Sanson, was the minister. Mr Hopping was born at Wool ston, Christchurch, 70 rears ago, and ramc to Rongotoa in 1872. Before her marriage Mrs lloppuig was Miss Mary l’bilp.s, ami was born at Golden Valley, Wellington. She caint- to the Rongotoa district with her parents when she was a little child. Mr anil Mrs IJopping’s first home was a wliare .standing in an acre, clearing in the middle of thick forest, and they knew all there was to know of hard pioneering work. Mr Hopping was on the Manchester Block with the first workers, and helped to fell the bush on the newly surveyed roads of Feildiug-. A keen farmer, a splendid judge of stock, a man of enterprise, lie did as much as most men to raise the standard of farming and of stock, particularly dairy stock, in the- Manawatu. A true blue son of the Empire, he had the honour of .sending- away five of hig sons to build and uphold the wonderful name of New Zealand’s soldiers in the Great War, and one of those sons—Bertram—made the supreme sacrifice. Air Hopping him self acted as honorary veterinarian for the Defence Department in New Zealand as long- as his expert services were required. After a life of activity and success in the only sense that really matters—honour and patriotism—he now lives in quiet retirement with his wife at Makino. East night a golden wedding ga thering was held at the residence of Air Wilson Hopping, Awahuri road, to celebrate, the golden wedding. About 50 guestg wore present. A magnificent cake was made and presented by Alls Hopping. The guests included tho full strength of the Feildiug Pipe Band, of which Mr Hopping is a strong supporter. Air • Harry Hope, as master of the ceremonies, made certain of a happy ga thering. On behalf of the family, Mr Hope presented to the. happy couple a 400-dav clock, an eiderdown rug, and a handbag' for Airs Hopping. 1 Mr Hope laid emphasis 011 the. long, happy, and honourable life of ATr and Mi's Hopping, mentioning then great help to the community, their , neighbpurliness, and the honour and 1 esteem in which they were held.

They had noxv and at all times the deepest jov which, human beings could have*--aim pure love and gra--titude of their children and their 3 C: grandchildren.(• On behalf of the family, Mr Hope wished for father and mother that every moment of the remaining- years of their life might be tilled with that joy and happiness wjirjfh they so richly do served. Air Hopping- gratefully acknowledged the gifts and tho sentiments expressed,adding he and his wife had never had any reason to be ashamed of their family. Music, songs, reminiscences with dancing-, filled up a jovial evening, which will not long be forgotten. The remaining children are Messrs Fred. (Mikutca), Wilson (Eeildingb George (Thames), Leslie (Tauranga), Edward (To Kawa), Walter (To. Kawa), Victor (Pirongia), Mrs Hilda Sexton (Waikato), Mrs Ethel Jukes (To Awanoutu), and Mrs Sylvia, Lenghlan (Thames)-