GOLDEN WEDDING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXIV, Issue 39, 14 January 1944, Page 3

GOLDEN WEDDING

MR AND MRS J. HANSEN

Mr and Mrs Jens Hansen, of Kongotea, who eolcbrated their golden wedding on Wednesday, arc pionevrs of Palmerston North* and the Manawatu district. Born' in Denmark, Mr Hansen arrived in Now Zealand in 1892 and his marriage to Miss Karen Larson, also of Denmark, took place at the Danish .Church, Palmcrston North, on January 12, 1894. For a number of years Mr Hansen was engaged in bush-felling, during which time he resided in Paluicrston North, Kairanga, and Tiakitahuna for varying periods. Early in the century Mr and Mrs Hansen paid a visit to Denmark and on their return to New Zealand they settled on a farm at Both are very well-known in tho Carnarvon district.

On Wednesday evening about 100 relatives and friends met at the Carnarvon School to celebrate the golden wedding anniversary and to do honour to this highly respected couple. Among those present were two members of the Services, Nurse T. Rose, whose parents aro old friends and neighbours of Mr and Mrs Hansen, and Private W. Gulliver, a grandson. Mrs Hansen wore a navy crepe-de-chine frock with a red shoulder spray. Numerous congratulatory telegrams were read, also a letter from Mrs Hansen's only sister, who resides in Denmark, and from whom no word had been received for a number of years. The bride and bridegroom received the gift of an eiderdown from the residents of the Carnarvon district, also many floral tokens of the esteem in which they are held. The usual toasts were honoured. All the members of their family wore present—Mesdames P. Hansen (Palmcrston North), A. Burtlon (Palmcrston North), W. Giles (Ohakunc), S. Watkins (Karerc), D. Burnc (llongotca) and Mr P. Hansen (Rongotca). Also present, were most of their 16 grandchildren. Their elder son, the late Mr Carl Hansen, made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. It is interesting to note that Mr Hansen's father fought against the Germans in 1864 and his grandfather against Nelson in a naval battle. Mr and Mrs Hansen's golden wedding day was also the first anniversary of their son's marriage.