GOLDEN WEDDING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 4 June 1937, Page 11

GOLDEN WEDDING.

MR AND MRS G. N. COWEN

The golden wedding of Air and Airs G. N. Cowen, of “Ormond,” Newbury, formerly well-known in the Pohangina Valley for many years, was celebrated on Saturday evening at the ltoyale Dutch Lounge. -About eighty guests were present to honour the couple, and Airs Cowen looked very smart in a frock of black crepe-de-chine. The handsome cream and gold wedding cake, which was much admired, was the gift of Mrs J. Sailkey, a daughter of the guests ol honour, who had also presented her mother with an autumn-tinted posy. Airs Sankey received the guests, and she was wearing a distinctive frock of prune cloque. and a white fur coat. Toasts were proposed by Messrs J. A. Nash, J. Linklater, P. Hanlon, D. Balmer, senr., J. Lucas, and J. Moar, replies being made by Alessrs J. M. Cowen, J. Sankey, G. Cowen and E. Cowen. In proposing the toast ol the “Bride and Bridegroom,” Mr Nash stated he had had the privilege of knowing both for a period of 42 years and "had always found them the most loyal and true friends anyone could desire. Air and Mrs Cowen had, by their courage and good citizenship, helped to make the country what it was.

Air Linklater said he lmd known the bride and bridegroom ior many years and had found them ready to extend a helping hand when needed. He felt honoured to call them his friends.

Air D. Balmer, senr., who has been a friend of- the guests of honour lor over 5U years, added his tributes to those of the earlier speakers. Jt was evident that Air and Airs Cowen held an- honoured place in the hearts of their old friends, he said. Air J. Lucas, with y liose late grandparents the bride and bridegroom had been long associated in the Pohangina Valley, ottered on beliall of his family Ins heartfelt congratulations on the attainment of their golden wedding, and wished them many years ol Happiness and prosperity. / Mr J. Aloar (Pohangina) said it gave him untold pleasure to be present and he ottered his congratulations with the hope that Air and Airs Cowen would haie many more years together. uncring best wishes for many years’ good health and prosperity, Mr P. nanlon said it was evident by die tributes paid to Air Cowen and his wife that they were held in the highest esteem by all who were privileged to know them. Mr Cowen thanked the speakers on behalf of his wife and himself, and said he would never have been where he was to-day had it not been for liis helpmeet. Air Cowen, iri reminiscences of the past, told some interesting stories ol early New Zealand, mentioning in particular the Aiaori War, in which his own and wife’s father (who hailed from the Emerald Isle and came out with the 18th Battalion Royal Irish) had fought side by side against Te Kooti. Aiessrs G. Cowen, J. Sankey, and E. Cowen also replied to the various toasts. The evening was spent with dancing, community singing, and items, the latter being given by Mr A. Balmer, Airs J. N. Gueas (Awahuri), Mr D. Balmer, senr., Air J. Linklater and Air J. A. Nash. Air E. Davis played for the dancing. A beautiful gilded basket of autumntinted flowers and berries was the gift of Air and Airs E. J. Nathan, who were unable to be .resent. Gilts and a large sheaf of te.egrams from Australia and all parts of New Zealand were received and it was apparent that Air and Mrs Cowen were respected and loved by all with whom they came in contact.

Mr and Mrs Cowen’s family consists of six daughters and three sons : Mesdames J. (Hamilton), G. (Jhisnall (Invercargill), J. Sankey Palmerston North), G. Grice (Invercargill), M. Lahey (Stratford), Miss Helena Cowen (Newbury), and Messrs S. Cowen (Australia), G. and E. Cowen (Palmerston North). There are 21 grandchildren. Mesdames J. Fisher, M. Lahey and G. Grice and Mr Sydney Cowen (Australia) were unable to -be present owing to illness.

Among the guests present were: Mr J. A, Nash and Airs Nash, the latter in black glace silk and fur coat; Air and Airs J. Linklater, the latter in coffee lace and pink shoulder spray, fur coat; Airs G. Chignall (Hinds), black floral, fur coat; Aliss Helena Cowen, coronation blue and silver lame, white fur coat; Alesdames E. Davis, model frock of brown and gold; G. Cowen, zinnia red satin; Bieknell (Taihape), black floral; Spelman, black cloque; AlcLeod, brown floral ; J. Moar (Pohangina), black velvet and diamante, white fur coat; J. N. Lucas (Awahuri), pink lace and white evening coat; Burrell, black georgette; Leete, navy blue marocain; A. Balmer, floral, white fur coat; Hanlon, black and lemon; Sinclair, blue georgette; J. Galvin, model frock, black and gold, and fur coat; Wagstaff, black marocain-; Alisses M. Sankey, cocktail suit of floral and black; D. Sankey, blue taffeta; J. Sankey, green floral; P. Sankey, floral and evening coat; E. Sankey, green frock; J ; Sinclair, pink windswept satin and silver lame, white fur coat ; A, Sinclair, floral taffeta, white fur coat; M. Spelman, floral georgette; W. Wagstaff, powder-blue lace and pink shoulder spray'; Ei Perrin, marina blue silk velvet, fur coat; C. Galloway, floral taffeta; also Messrs L. Wagstaff, J. Sinclair, J. Lucas, G. Wagstaff, A. Galloway, G. Galloway, J. Galvin, J. Aloar, E. and - G. Cowen. Dr. C. W. Peach, one of the oldest friends of the guests of honour, who was not able to attend, sent his congratulations and some appropriate verses.