GOLDEN WEDDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18772, 28 July 1924, Page 8

GOLDEN WEDDING.

MR. AND MRS. MACDERMOTT.

WORK IN PROHIBITION CAUSE.

Tha golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Macdermott, of Roslyn Avenue, Mount Albert, was celebrated on Saturday afternoon, when a gathering of about 100 relatives and friends assembled at the Holly tearooms, Karangahape Road. Mr. and Mrs. Macdermott were the recipients of a host of good wishes and congratulations, delivered personally, also by letter and telegram. Mr. Macdermott's long association with the prohibition cause was recognised in the attendance of many representatives of local temperance and prohibition Organisations. f Both Mr. and. Mrs. Macdermott are colonists of long standing, having arrived in Auckland from London in 1874. Shortly after landing, Mr. Macdermott joined the staff of the N.Z. Heeald as a compositor, holding this position for 25 year 3. On leaving the Herald he became interested in the moving picture business, and later was appointed secretary, of the Auckland branch of tha' Alliance, continuing his work in this capacity for 16 years. Two years ago, Mr. Macdermott met with a motor-car accident, from which,' in view of the fact that he was then 70 years of age, he has made a remarkably good recovery. Mrs. Macdermott has ably seconded her husband's efforts in the temperance cause, and their efforts have undoubtedly . been a strong influence in the promotion of its interests in Auckland. Of a family of 12 children, six are living, there being 23 grandchildren,, the majority of whom were present at Saturday's celebration. Mr. L. E. Falkner, chairman of the Auckland Council of the Alliance, who presided, read a number of from those unable to bo present, including telegrams from the Rev. John Dawson, and the Independent Order of Rechabites, with which organisation Mr. Macdermott has long been connected. '

The toast of the bride and bridegroom was proposed by Canon Haselden, who spoke with warm appreciation of Mr. Macdermott's long period of service in the temperance cause, which had won for him the respect and esteem of a very large body of citizens. Even, if the older generation might not live to see the coming of prohibition, said the canon, their grandchildren would see it, and the name of Mr. and Mrs. Macdermott would ever bo associated with the achievement of final victory in the temperance campaign'. Mr. E. Poison responded to the toast on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Macdermott.

The toast, " Success to the Cause,'; proposed by the Rev. P. S. Smallfield, was drunk with much enthusiasm, Mr. W. R. Tuck, chairman of the Political Action Committee of the Alliance, responding. A number of musical items and recitations added interest to the gathtering, which concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. 4