Golden Anniversary

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 28 June 1935, Page 12

Golden Anniversary

On the occasion of their golden wedding, Mr and Mrs J. 11. Bentley, New r Plymouth, last Thursday held a family reunion.

On June 20, 188 d, Miss Alice Swadling, of Ivaponga, was married to Mr John Harrison Bentley, of Knpuni. As the road was impassable for a minister to marry them (ministers were then also so few and far between), the young couple rode to Manaiin and were married by the Mhnaia postmaster, the late Mr Dawson. Mr and Mrs Bentley spent the whole of their married life in Taranaki. Mrs Bentley was born in Oxfordshire, England, while Mr Bentley came from Yorkshire, Bradford, at the age of 18.

Among those present lat the reunion were Mr and Mrs B. D. Dagg (Kaponga), Mr and Mrs L. Cuthbert (Xew Plymouth), Messrs Fred . Bentley (Orini, Waikato), and Kenneth Bentley (Otorohaiiga). Mr Jack Bentley (Aringi, North Auckland) was unable to be present. Mrs Bentley’s only surviving sister, Miss Swadling, of Rfawera, also was unaffle to be present owing to illness. A beautiful wedding cake, the gift of Mrs Dagg, held pride of place on the artistically decorated table, and was orniamented with golden decorations.

Mr and Mrs Bentley enjoy come paratively good hearth and take an interest in local and Dominion affairs. Mrs Bentley takes a keen interest in the Women’s Division and in country women in general and is still an en.thusiastie horticulturist.