GOLDEN WEDDING.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 215, 8 September 1905, Page 3

GOLDEN WEDDING.

MR AND MRS PHILIP VERCOE

A very pleasant social gathering took place at the residence of Mr Wm. Jones, Grovetown, on Wednesday last, to celebrate the golden wedding of Mr and Mrs Philip Vercoe. The guests, who numbered nearly 300, were invited to lunch and dinner, and a dance in the evening. Th luncheon, dinner, and supper were served in a large marquee adjoining the house, and thorough justice was done to the "wedding cake" and other good things provided. Mr and Mrs Vercoe ; received a large number of presents and congratulations from numerous old friends. A purse of sovereigns was presented to the aged couple in the evening as a small token of the regard and esteem in which they are held. Congratulatory addresses were given by Mr J. B. Green, P. Meehan, and W. G. H. Baillie, who referred to Ibr and Mrs Vercoe as thorough good pioneer setters. A photo of the guests was taken in the afternoon, and a " family group " comprising 61 in number. Over 40 other members of the family were unable to he present. Dancing was kept up until the "wee sma' hours." Mr and Mrs Vercoe, who are respectively 78 and 74 years of age, landed in Taranaki in 1841, and were married there on 6th September, 1855, by the Yen. Archdeacon Govett. Mr Vercoe served in the Taranaki Maori waxunder the late Major Atkinson, and rceived the medal for that campaign. The old couple had 16 children, of whom 11 are still alive, Mrs Jl. Jones being one of the number. They have 71 grandchildren and nearly 3u greatgrandchildren. Mr and Mrs \ ercoe received many congratulations on their hale and hearty appearance. They thoroughly enjoyed the dance, and'led off in the first set of lancers. Mr and Mrs Vercoe have resided tor 37 years in this district, and entertained our correspondent with an interesting acount of their early experiences and reminiscences of the early days of the province. We have to congratulate Mr and Mrs W. Jones on the thorough success of the gathering, which was quite unique of m its kind, being an all day and night affair. Alt the family did everything possible for the entertainment of their Tmests, who, one and all, voted the gathering " Al^