Golden Wedding

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 12, 15 January 1944, Page 2

Golden Wedding

MR. AND MRS. J. HANSEN Mr. and Mrs. Jens Hansen, of Rongotea, who celebrated their golden wedding on Wednesday, are pioneers of Palmerston North and the Manawatu district. Born in Denmark, Mr. Hansen arrived in New Zealand in 1892 and his marriage to Miss Karen Larsen, also of Denmark, took place at the Danish Church, Palmerston North, on January 12, 1894. For a number of years Mr. Hansen was engaged in bushfelling, during which time he resided in Palmerston 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 iiongotea. Both are very well-known in the 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, recently returned, Nurse T. Rose, whose parents are 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 oride 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 were present —Mesdames P. Hansen (Palmerston North), A. Burdon (Palmerston North), W. Giles (Ohakune), S. Watkins (Karere), D. Burne (Rongotea) and Mr. P. Hansen (Rongotea). 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 fougnt 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.