Pioneers Celebrate Diamond Wedding

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20136, 4 January 1940, Page 9

Pioneers Celebrate Diamond Wedding

The Rev. and Mrs. G. K. Aitken, Shirley, Christchurch, known in many parts of New Zealand for the service they have given to the Presbyterian Church, celebrated their diamond wedding last Saturday. Scottish by birth, they were married in Glasgow and went to Australia 34 years ago. They have lived in New Zealand for SO years, for nine of which Mr. Aitken was clerk to the Christchurch presbytery.

Mr. Aitken retired three and a-half years ago, when he suffered a severe illness. He has made a good recovery and now enjoys good health. Mrs. Aitken is an invalid, but is still very alert mentally and has as keen a memory as her husband for their many interesting experiences in the outback of Australia. New Zealand Service Mr. Aitken, who celebrated his eightyfirst birthday on November 12, was born at Montrose. The birthplace of Mrs. Aitken, whose eighty-third birthday was on Christmas Eve, is Auc’ninblae, at the foot of the Grampian Hills. Travelling to Australia as pioneers in the wider field, in the work of the church, they were passengers by the sailing vessel Scottish Wizard, which took four calendar months to reach Queensland, lying becalmed for weeks off the Australian coast.

After their arrival in New Zealand, Mr. Aitken’s first charge was Foxton. He was at Methven for nine years, including the war period, and at Featherston for another four. He accepted a call from Kaiapoi, and retired after four years in the charge. Subsequently, however, he took the position of moderator at New Brighton and he also filled the charge of St. Martin’s for a brief period. There were four sons, one son being killed at Gallipoli. The other sons are Mr. Lindsay Aitken, Ashburton, and Messrs. George and Alan Aitken, both of Gisborne. The only daughter. Miss E. Y. Aitken, lives with her parents.