GOLDEN WEDDING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 4

GOLDEN WEDDING.

The happy ceremony of the celebration of a golden wedding tell to the lot of an esteemed and worthy Merton couple, Mr a-nd Mr Thomas White, on the 4-th inst., and the ocasion was honoured in a fitting manner. A large number of guests were present by invitation at their residence in the evening, and the scene was one of unbounded goodwill and joviality. An excellent spread was provided and, received full, -justice, and;.thie toast of the couple was honoured with "enthusiasm and expressions r of congratulations were extended on all sides.-' Mr George Faulkner, on behalf of those assembled, extended to Mr and Mrs. White their sincere thanks for :: the privilege of being present at such a time. • ■, He also alluded to the pleasure Mr and Mrs White would find in the presence

of so many of the family, and they too would bo proud of the occasion and glad to see .their .parents .enjoying good, health. Bong®, speeches, dancing, etc., saw the hours pass all too , quickly, and. a most successful celebration concluded after mid-

night with tho singing of " Auld lang syne." Mr and Mrs/Thomas White came to New Zealand in 1858 by the ship Jura, and they were married at the'Manse, Dun-

edin, on the 4th October, .1861, by the Rev. Dr Burns. Mr White has been connectedwith farming since boyhood,, and has been in the Waikouaiti district for 52 years.. He was shepherding with the Jenes family for a few years, and when the Government opened the land in the Waikouaiti

j district for settlement' he was one of the ' first to purchase a block of 80 acres at i Merton. By his industry and perseverance I he has since added two adjoining farms to his original purchase. He has been • very successful in stock-breeding. His Ayr- , ehire cattle are noted far and wide; They have won him many trophies in the prize ring at the local shows. Also, one,of hS** Olyd&cdsle colts (Southern Star) is at the> present time champion stallion in South i Australia. Mr and Mrs T. White have a family of 11, consisting of nine sons and i two daughters. There are 23 grandchildren. ' and three great-grandchildren, all alive. Worthy pioneers both of them, they are, j richly deserving of respect and esteem: