DIAMOND WEDDING

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 68, 10 August 1938, Page 3

DIAMOND WEDDING

MR. & MRS. W. SYDENHAM The diamond wedding of Air and Airs William .Sydenham, whose marriage* was solemnised in Stow Church, Lichfield, England in 1878, was celebrated at their home, \\aioek;i Road, Opotiki. on Friday. Air and Airs Sydenham’s soils and daughters, namely Air William Sydenham (Opotiki), Air Tt Sydenham (Ngatea), Airs Foster (Omokoroa) and Aliss Alary Sydenham (Opotiki). were present. Several grandchildren .were* also present. Many congratulatory telegrams were received and when a “News” representative called to convey congratulations, Air Sydenham proudly exhibited a framed cablegram from Their Alajesties the King and Queen which read, “The King and Queen send you hearty congratulations and good wishes oil your diamond wedding day.—Private Secretary”. Another highly prized telegram was received from Lord and Lady Galway which read, “Lady Galway and I send you our warmest congratulations and best wishes on the celebration to-day of the GOtli. anniversary of your marriage.—Galway”.

Bishop Sclw.vti was well known to Airs Sydenham’s family. Airs Sydenham was con fir pied by Pish op Selw.vn and when her father was seriously injured in a railway accident between Lichfield and Birmingham, Bishop Selw.vn was one ol the first visitors on the following day. having to walk two miles to reach the house.

For .30 years, from 1873 to 1903, Mir Sydenham travelled backwards and forwards to Ireland for a jewellery firm, and during that time ho made 480 crossings of the Irish Sea. ft was necessary for him to make separate trips to the North and South, for if lie went from one to the other lie would not he received. Air Sydenham was in Paris for the Exhibition in 1868. During that visit Air Sydenham saw the first bicycle and received a letter from a friend in

Southampton asking him -to try to procure one for him. The idea of the pneumatic-' tyre was first suggested to Air Durllop, founder of the Dunlop Tyre Company, 'by Air Sydenham. A friend of Air Sydenham’s complained of the jolts received while riding Jus bicycle. Air Sydenham suggested wrapping tubing around the wheels and so successful was the idea that lie later gave the idea to Air Dunlop who founded the famous company. Shares were offered to Air Sydenham but lie-■■'turned the offer down, much to his regret later on. Mr and Airs Sydenham upon arrival in Ne.w Zealand in 1926 first lived at Te Arolia, hut the same year they came to Opotiki where they have lived ever since.

Although over 69' years of age when the war broke out, Air Sydenham was a member of the Homo Guards, guarding prisoners, bridges and roads. Af.aiiy interesting and humorous incidents were related to the’ “News” representative by Air Sydenham. In spite of his age Air Sydenham is remarkably agile and a glance at his garden shows that lie is passionately fond of gardening. I Lis hobby is that of raising new delphiniums, most of the seed of which goes to Covent Garden. Last year ho sold 2II>. of delphinium seed in /Australia and to other houses in New Zealand. Air Sydenham lias succeeded in raising a very fine aubretia, which he calls “Fire King”, «■ bright pink, and which lie could sell wherever ho wished, but Aft- Sydenham prizes the plant too ml'.ich to sell any rights.