GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 24

GOLDEN WEDDING CELEBRATIONS.

Mr and Mrs William Mtur, of Rose Valley, Tutuxau, Southland, celebrated their golden wedding on the 4th hist, In honour of the occasion the descendants of the couple with several neighbours, assembled at the homestead, where the couple settled after their marriage, and have resided there ever since- A well-arranged breakfast was set out in a largo marquee erected on the lawn. Mrs Muir, who was escorted to her seat by her third son, wore by request the wedding drees she had on 60 yea-re ago. The Rev. J I Clarke, of Wyndham (in the absence of the Rev. Mr Brown), presided over a happy gathering, and joined with the others present in wishing the worthy couple continued health and happiness. Mr M. Perkins (Waireklki); who said he had known Mr and Mrs Muir since he was a lad, refe;rred to their simple, homely kindness to all.The health of the host and hostess was proposed by Mr Alex. Dickie (EdenglenV referiing to the faot that he and Mr Mutt had been schoolmates in the historic village of Fonwick, in Ayrshire. He referred eulogistically to the high sense of duty displayed by Mr and Mrs Muir, and his remarks were endorsed by Messrs Robert, Dickie, Alex. M'Lachlan, and Wm. Pryde fWa-ikana). Mr Muir, in a feeling response,' briefly outlined his career in New Zealand. He arrived in 1863, and was for some time about the Clutha district until he took up land in Tutuxa-u. n« then journeyed to Dunedin to await the arrival of the E. P. Bouvexie with his intended bride on board. They were married in First Church by the late Rev Dr Burns. On their way to their home they stayed with Mr Robert Somerville, and he, on learning that Mrs Muir was from Dun • lop, concluded she must be a cheesemaker, as she happened to be. By request she fave a lesson to Mrs Somerville, and eviently with good "results, as the lady afterwards won a first prize at the Dunedin Show, the toast of " The Pioneers," proposed by the R9V. Mr Clarke, was responded to by Messrs M. Dickie and Allan Gait. In responding to " The Muir Family," Mr David Muir said that all the descendants were present with ihe exception of _ Mrs Thompson, a daughter who resided in the North Island, and was unable tfe travel. The daughter in question had borne 15 children, of whom 13 were living. A soldier son returned from the front in December last, and another son went away with the Thirtieth Mounteds. Other toasts followed, and the proceedings war a diversified by a reading, an exchange of stories, and a song. It may be mentioned that there are living six sons and daughters, 23 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. The descendants present were Mr and Mrs William Muir, jun., a<nd family, Mr and Mrs James Muir and family, Mr and Mrs John Muir, Mr and Mrs George Beaumont (Mataura), Miss Eliza Muir, Messrs David and John Muir.—Wyndham Farmer. Mr and Mrs Robert Robson, of Lovell's Flat, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding on the 12lh inst., when 10 members of the family of 18 (seven daughters .and six sons) -were able to be present. Two" of the sons are absent on active service, and a daughter residing at Balfour was unable to attend. Thirteen grandchildren were present. The gathering was held at the residence of Mr Allan Robson, the old homtaead where most of the family were born and brought up,' and where six of ihe daughters were married —a place of old associations and memories. A nephew of Mrs Robson, who was present as an infant at her wedding 50 years ago, was also present on this occasion. Mr and Mrs Robson were married on February 12. 1868, at the residence of ihe late Mr T. Thornton (Tokomairiro) by the late Rev. A. B. Todd. Mr Robson landed at Dunedin on May 1, 1860, by the Storm Cloud. He was employed at farm work on the Taieri for some time, and then was for some time engaged carting provisions to the diggings, the first load being conveyed by a bullock team to Roxburgh. In 1865 he took up the block of land known as Gree-nlea Farm, now occupied by Mr J. O. Smith, and on which he resided for some yours after he was married. When he took over the farm now occupied by his son Allan he shifted there, and was engaged farming until some three years ago. He is now in his eightieth year, and is still hale and hearty. Mrs Robson arrived from Edinburgh with her parents (the late Mr end Mrs Allan Marshall) by the ship Alpine in ißs9.—Bruce Herald.