GOLDEN WEDDING

Otago Witness, Issue 3214, 20 October 1915, Page 65

GOLDEN WEDDING

MR AND MRS R. GLENDINING

There are few people who do not love anniversaries—those days in which the tablets of memory are scanned anew and some long past event is recalled. The human mind has a rare faculty for treasuring chiefly the happy events of life, and as t:me passes over our heads, these become invested with a glamour that the mind can dwell on with an exquisite sense of delight. The anniversary of such an event occurred on the 12th in the lives of Mr and Mrs Robert Glendining. For them it signified an occasion that is honoured in the life history of very few—the attainment of 50 years of married life—and the occurrence was marked in a manner befitting its significance. Half a century ago, Mr Glendining, then established in business in this city, journeyed to Melbourne and was there united in the bonds of holy matrimony to Miss Mary L. Cassels. The young couple then returned to New Zealand, and have been intimately associated with the life of this city practically ever since. Their family of two sons and two daughters are all grown up, and reside in different parts of the city. The weight of their years does not press heavily on Mr or Airs Glendining, and, though the passage of time has not gone unmarked, both retain excellent spirits and an unimpaired cheerfulness of demeanour. Mrs Glendining, too, has a wonderfully vivid memory, and in conversation with a representative of this journal, she was able to recall the very hour of her marriage and several other attendant circumstances, including the fact that immediately after the ceremony she and her husband joined the boat for New Zealand. Air Glendining’s business connection with this city dates back to 1862, when, in conjunction with his present partner, Mr John Ross, he established a drapery business which was sold four years later to Messrs Brown, Ewing, and Co. Air Glendining and his partner then founded the present business of Messrs Ross and Glendining, which has now extended its scope from one end of the dominion to the other. From time to time Air Glendining has taken a prominent part in the civic activities of this city, and he has also filled positions on the directorate of a number of public companies. Mr Glendining still retains an active interest in the management of the business that bears his name. Both he and Mrs Glendining are held in very high regard by the local warehouse staff, which took the opportunity on the 12th of adding its felicitations to those of the relatives and friends of the widely-known couple, and of making them a suitable presentation. The ceremony was brief, but happily conceived and well carried out. Accompanied by all the members of their family, the guests of the gathering took their seats amidst hearty applause, which was renewed as Miss Divers advanced and presented Mrs Glendining with a beautiful bouquet of Marcchal Niel roses. Mr J. Harraway then explained the object of the gathering, and stated that the occasion was a fitting one for the staff to extend its congratulations to Mr and Mrs Glendining, and to show its appreciation of their many good qualities. They had met together with the object of showing honour and respect to their guests, and were very pleased indeed to have Airs Glendining with them that day.—(Loud applause.) Mr R. Duncan then presented Mr and Airs Glendining with a very handsome solid silver rose bowl, and read a beautifully inscribed address which had been drawn up by the members of the committee. The address conveyed congratulations to Mr and Airs Glendining, and expressed the hope that they would be long spared. Mr J. W. Oomissiong, the oldest employee of the firm, whose association with it dates back some 50 years, also extended his congratulations to Mr and Mrs Glendining, and wished them every happiness during the remainder of their days.—(Applause.) Mr Glendining, on rising to reply, was received with much warmth. Ho expressed on behalf of himself and Mrs Glendining appreciation of the feelings that had prompted such a gathering. He had great pleasure in meeting his employees once again, and he thanked them sincerely for their congratulations and kindly wishes. Pie accepted their gift with a just appreciation of the feelings lying behind it. and assured them that Airs Glendining and himself would ever regard it as one of their most treasured possessions. Mi* Glendining resumed his seat amidst loud applause, and a very pleasant gathering concluded with the singing of “For They are Jolly Good Follows,” followed by throe hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Glendining.