GOLDEN WEDDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20520, 22 March 1930, Page 12

GOLDEN WEDDING.

MR. AND. MRS. W. FINLAY.

EARLY FARMING AT MAUKU,

The fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. William Finlay, of 23, Ridings Road, Remuera, falls to-morrow. Mr. and Sirs. Finlay, who are both early settlers in the Auckland Province, have resided in Remuera for the past 30 years. Mr. Finlay was born at Peterborough. ' near Ontario, Canada, nearly 73 years ago. His grandparents were among the. pioneers in Canada, having emigrated from Ireland in 1832. Mr. Finlay's parents, with their family of 13 children, arrived at Nelson on June 2. 1868, in the sailing vessel Algerian, after a passage of 107 days. Shortly afterwards the family removed to Auckland. For a number of years Mr.' Finlay worked in-the kauri forests at Whanga- ■ roa and Dargaville, an arduous task, the wage being 25s a week, with his keep. After a number of years he saved enough to purchase a farm at Mauku for £SOO, and -there ho married. Mr. a_na Mrs. Finlay were faced with a bitter struggle, as their farm, which had to be broken in, comprised poor land. Buttee then brought only 7d per lb and Sir. Finlay at first was able to milk only seven or eight cows. ~ ' .. . After eight years at Mauku Mr. and, Mrs. Finlay moved to Taranaki, as there was no school at Mauku where their children could obtain an education. They . took a block of land near Eltham and broke it in, remaining there for about another eight years. They then came to Auckland, where Mr. Finlay bought four acres of land on the lower slopes of Mount Hobson, below Remuera Road. .On this property he carried' on the business of nurseryman and orchardist until 12 years ago, when he retired. The property was then subdivided and Mr.. Fin15y retained the section in Ridings Road. t where he now resides.

Mrs. Finlay, who arrived in 1863 \tith her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Keith, as a child on the ship Ulcoats, the first, iron sailing §hip to makte the voyage to New ZSaland, resided during the early years of her life at Mauku. Four of the seven children of Mr. ind Mrs. Finlay are still living. They are Mr. James Finlay, Mr. Oliver Finlay/ Mrs. A. Young and Mrs. F. Gladding. There are four grandchildren.