Sixty Years On

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 249, 22 October 1935, Page 5

Sixty Years On

Diamond Wedding Celebrations of

Mr and Mrs R. C. Tennent

It is not given to many married couples to tread the path of life together for 60 years, hut this has been the privilege of Mr and Mrs Robert Cowper Tennent, of Woodville, who on Sunday last celebrated their diamond wedding, the occasion being marked by a happy family reunion at the residence of Dr. and Mrs P. H, Mules, Woodville.

True pioneers of this fair land, Mr and Mrs Tennent have mado a worthy contribution as lino citizens and noble parents, the affectionate esteem in which they are held by all with whom they have como in contact being reflected in the felicitations received from all parts of the Dominion, the gifts of flowers and other tokens that surrounded them at the week-end. The assemblage, numbering 02 in ail, comprised relatives from Invercargill to Whangarci, of whom wore three sons, threo daughters, 14 grandchildren, and one great-grandson, making four generations in attendance.

being present at this week’s celebrations. Tho other three bridesmaids were Miss Marsden, Miss Alice Kingdon (afterwards Mrs A. Turnbull) and Miss Iva Andrew, all of whom have passed away. The best man was the late Mr Douglas Tennent, of Marton. There were eleven children of the family, of whom eight are living. Tho three daughters are Mrs P. H. Mules (Woodville), Mrs W. Olphert (Lower Hutt), aud Mrs Norman Branson (Te Araroa). The sons arc Messrs Leonard C. Tennent (Dar-es-Saleem, Tanganyika Territory, South Africa), Harold D. Tennent (Dunedin), Hugh C. Tennent (Honolulu), Colonel K. Tennent (Whangarci), and Dr. Alan A. Tennent (Wellington). There aro 20 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Pour of the sons served in the Great War.

It is gratifying to relate that Mr and Mrs Tennent enjoy the best of health and are keenly interested in all that is going on. Mr Tennent’s father was the late Robert Neilson Tennent, of the firm of Try Bros, and Tennent, merchants at Rio do Janeiro, where Mr Tennent was born in IS4O. He is the only surviving son of four. Tho family returned to England when Robert Teunent was a year old, and on the death of his father fivo years later took np residence in Guernsey, where he was educated at Guernsey College. . Ia 1854 his mother decided to seek pastures new and left for New Zealand in

The roots of the family trees go back to notable figures in tho cultural history of England, Mrs Tennent’s mother having been a member of the family which included Matthew Arnold, tho famous poet, and his father, Thomas, the famous headmaster of Rugby, while Mr Tennent’s mother was a Cowper, cousin of William Cowper, tho poet. Mrs, Tennent was a fine horsewoman

the British Empire, the largest sailing vessel to visit New Zealand. That was 70 years ago in August and it is interesting to note that there are still living other settlers who came out on the British Empire. Six mouths after their arrival in this country tho family went to Nelson, where Mr Tennent entered the Bank of New South Wales. A keen athlete in his day, Mr Tennent represented Nelson at cricket and football and was the champion mile runner of the province for three years. To-day at the ago of SC his recreations include bowling and walking, three miles a day being his regular achievement.

in her day and accompanied her father many miles on.his rounds. To-day she is an enthusiastic gardener, plays a good game of bridge and is a critical reader.

The Family Party, It was a pleasantly informal family party that gathered for afternoon tea, the company entering the house through tho wistaria wreathed portico and proceeding to the large dining room where refreshments were served. Lovely spring ilowers adorned tho room, gay bowls of tulips, blue and yellow Hag irises, and pink blossom being charmingly arranged. Iceland poppies in varying shades centred the table, conspieious on which was tho handsome two-tiered wedding cake surmounted with a silver vase containing lilies of the valley. In a happy little speech Dr. Mules proposed tho toast of "the bride and briacgioom,” paying a glowing tribute to their sterling qualities. The toast was enthusiastically honoured. Mr. Tenuent warmly welcomed the family and in replying to tho toast said ho and his wife had been deeply touched that so many had gathered from one end of tho Dominion to the other to show affection and to do them honour. They

After 53 years' service in tlie bank, Mr Tcnneut retired and lived in Napier before removing to tlio peaceful centre of Woodville. It is interesting to recall that he was a junior in the bank at Nelson at the timo cf the Maungatapu murders in ISG(S, an historic crimo of the early days, in which ho nearly iigured as a victim. He is one of tho few, if not the only person, living who saw tho murderers. He lias also a unique association with tho history of Rugby in New Zealand, because to him belongs the distinction of being the founder of tho first Rugby football club in

the Dominion—in Nelson. In this connection ho was inspired by tho late Mr C. J. Monro, of Palmerston North.

were proud .of their family and the •presence of so many of them had given them great happiness. Paying tributo to his wife, Mr. Tennent said she had not only been the mother of eleven children. but she had maintained the family tradition and had kept in touch by regular correspondence with every member. Mr. Teunent feelingly thanked all tkoso present for their remembrances and particularly thanked Dr. and Mrs. Mules for their hospitality that day. Mr. Harold Tenuent proposed tho toast of tho " absent members" and read two of the numerous telegrams of good wishes received, one being from tho president of. the New Zealand Rugby Union, and tho other a cable, from Mr. Leonard Tennent in Tanganyika territory. Mr. Olphert proposed the toast of "the little aunt in

The Ceremony On October 20, 1575, Mr Tennent married Miss Emily Boor, eldest daughter of the. late Dr. Leonard Boor, for many years regarded as tho most skilful’ practitioner in New Zealand. The ceremony, which toojc placo at All Saints' Church, Nelson, was performed by the late Bishop Souter, Bishop of Nelson, tho Into Archdeacon Thorpe, and the late Eev. Amos Ivncll, Kural Dean of the Wairarapa, whose widow now living at Greytown and in her lOOtli year, is an aunt of tho bride. There were six bridesmaids —three sisters of the bride, Mrs J. P. Kempthorne, Mrs H. Burnett, and Miss M. Boor, ail of Nelson, the two last-named.

London” (Mrs. Gay), Mr. Torment’s only living relative, and Dr. Alan Tennent that of “the bridesmaids,” Mrs. Burnett and Miss Boor returning thanks. Dr. and Mrs. Mules were similarly honoured and Captain Olphert and Mr. Selwyn Kempthorne proposed the toast of the “in-laws.” Mrs. Tennent wore a graceful ensemble of black georgette and lace with crystal necklace and earrings and shoulder spray of lilies of the valley. The bridesmaids present were Mrs. Burnett, who wore a blue flowered silk frock and navy silk coat, also a navy hat with matching ribbons,, and Miss Boor, who was in a vieux rose woollen suit with felt hat to tone. Mrs. Mules wore an ensemble of navy Viennese silk with, quaint patterning and white collar finished with a white gardenia, also a navy hat with trimmings to tone. She wa-s assisted by her two sisters, Mrs. Olphert wearing a navy and white marocain frock with white pleated jabot, navy silk coat and navy picture hat; Mrs. Branson in china blue patterned silk with white yoke. The party broke up shortly after 5 p.m when many of tho company had ■to start on their long journeys homeward.

The 'family. . ... Members of Mr. and Mrs. Tennent’a family present were: Mr. and Mrs. Harold Tennent (Dunedin), Colonel and Mrs. Kenneth Tennent (Whangarci), Dr. and Mrs. Alan Tennent and their son David (Wellington), Dr. and’ Mrs. P. H. Mules (Woodville), Dr. Charles Mules (Auckland), Mr. Jack Mules (Wellington), Misses Mary and Margaret Mules (Wellington), Miss Phyllis Mules (Woodville), Captain W. and Mrs. Olphert (Lower Hutt), Mr. WyOlphert, Misses Nancy, Betty and Barbara Olphert, John Olphert, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Branson (Te Araroa), Mrs. Monteath (Christchurch) aud her daughters Misses Joy and Sheila Tennent, also Mrs. Guy Nicoll and her son Roger. Other relatives present were Mrs. Burnett and Miss Boor (Nelson), Airs. P. Melhuish (Napier), Mrs. Douglas Tennent (Woodville), Air. and Mrs. Percy Tennent (Waverley), Air. and Mr 3. J. Tennent (Woodville) and their daughters Joan and Betty, Mr. and Airs. Willie Tennent (Hastings), Mrs. Todd (Invercargill), Air. Douglas Todd (Dunedin), Airs. Hugh Boyer and Air. Dick Boyer (Waverley), Airs. A. V. Oliver (Greymoutk), Airs. Ernest Oliver (Pleasant Point), Mr. and Mrs, E. J'. P. Simpson (Woodville), Mr. and Airs. Hugh Tennent and Air. Brett Tennent (Auckland), Dr. and Mrs. Alec Hogg (W’ellington), Air. and Airs, Hobart Tennent and their son John (Takapau), Airs. Clegborn (Masterton), Aliss Sybil Tennent (Alasterton), Mr w Sclwyn Kempthorne and Aliss Kathleen Kempthorne (Lower Hutt), Alany old friends called during tbs day to offer congratulations, including Air. and Airs. Clifford Thompson, of Darmevirke.