Golden Wedding

Southland Times, Issue 19116, 5 August 1903, Page 2

Golden Wedding

Yesterday afternoon in Ashley's Hall there was a gathering cf quite uncommon interest. Tho occasion was the liftioth anniversary of the marriage of Mr and Mrs John Turnbull, of Gala street, Invercargill. Not only in tho town, but throughout Southland. Mr and Mrs Turnbull are held in high esteem and alYection, and it was only to ,be expected that to mark such an event in their lives their friends would congregate from all sides. The hall, which lmd been decorated with beautiful flowers and greenj plants by friends of the host and hostess, was well lilled, : and among those present were some I who had come from distances u> . offer their congratulations with Iho warmth, and sincerity that spring from intimate association, reaching back through twenty and thirty nnd forty years. Some there were who could not be present, hut that they were not. unmindful was shown by tbo telegrams that poured in upon Mr and Mrs Turnbull from nil parts Of New Zealand, from Wellington and Gisborne, Napier and Wanganui and other places even more remote ; and from beyond the colony— from Melbourne, Geelong and Suva. Great tracts of country and wide expanses of sva are not easily crossed, but they are ineffectual against thought and electricity, and so Mr and Mrs Turnbull received the affectionate greetings of friends who were separated from them by many miles. From the Wellington office of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co.. Ltd.. Mr Turnbull received" the following message : — • On behalf self and New Zealand stalT heartily congratulate you and Mrs Turnbull on celebration of to-day. Hope many days and much happiness yet remain for you bot.h.-«-S. CLARKE JOHNSON" The Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G., telegraphed, as follows -.— •• Lady Ward and I heartily congratulate you on the attainment ol" your go-ldon wedding and sincerely hope that you may be spared to enjoy many more years of happiness". We much regret "that we are unmblc to be present." The other messages were in the same strain of genuine regard. To the guests as they .entered Mr and Mrs Turnbull extended a welcome brimming with cordiality. Tiiey were looking fresh and vigorous, ai d responded to the congratulations and good wishes with that heartiness, almost gaiety, of manner which is one of their most charming characteristics. As the hall filled conversation ! became general, and inviting refresh- | meats were served, while musical items were given by Misses (J burton and Callender (piano duet). Mrs Slrona-h (piano solo), Mrs .1. G. Herdman and Miss Macloskey (songs) which were most acceptably rendered. Towards half-past four the wedding cake was cut in time-honoured fashion. and shortly afterwards -Mr J. L. McG. Watson proposed the health cv the brill- and bridegroom. Tn the course of his i_- , marks Mr Watson rjolled back the j scroll of fifty years, und recalled something of the personal history -of Mr and Mrs Turnbull— alluding to Mr Turnbull's activity as a squatter, his ability as a magistrate, his energy as manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company in Invercargill for many years, and his worth as a citizen. Speaking of both he referred frankly and intimately to the affection in which Mr and Mrs Turnbull were held by all whose good fortune it was tc- come into contact with them— to their geniality, their charitable outlook upon the world and their serene happiness in all the changing circumstances of life. Mr Watson's remarks were frequently interrupted by applause, and the toast was drunk in bumpers of champagne with musical honours. In a speech graced with abundant humour Mr 11. F. Cuthbertson then proposed the health of the family of the host end hostess, of the son who, happily, was able to be present with his family, and of the daughter whose home is in the North Island and who was unavoidably absent, and of the grandchildren. This toast was also honoured, with the utmost heartiness. Mr Walter Henderson, on behalf of the company and of absent friends, then presented Mr and Mrs Turnbull with a heavy purse of sovereigns. He explained that the prescnta-t'ion took that form because their friends wished Mr and Mrs Turn bull to mark the occasion a,s it would please them best. It was tlie spontaneous offering of friends who wished to express their admiration and regard and, whatever form it might ultimately take, if it gave as, much pleasure to the recipients as it had given to the contributors it'' would- fulfil the hopes and wishes with which it was given. Mr Henderson spoke with feeling, and that he had plumbed the sympathies of thos*e whom he represented v. as shown by frequent expressions of endorsement. On .rising to reply Mr Turnbull was greeted with loud applause and cheers. In returning thanks on behalf of his wife and himself he touched briefly upon the varying experiences through which he had passed since his arrival in the colony in 1.561. giving some description of Invercargill as it was then, partly swamp and partly forest. Ho rocniled the names of friends whom he iiad known since the earliest days, some of whom had passed to their rest. He had been guided by principle both as a magistrate and as manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company. Mr Turnbull. however, regarded the references that had been made to tlie work of hi.9 life as too flattering— they overwhelmed him. He gracefully acknowledged the unfailing support and encouragement he had received^ from his dear partner in life, and for her and for himself again offered sincere thanks for the touching evidences' of friendship and regard they had seen that day. After a short time spent in con,verse the guests began to take farewell of Mr and Mrs Turnbull, and what had been an exceedingly pleasant aud animated gathering, in honour of a rare and notable event, came to an end. The members of the local staff of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. assembled at Mr and Mrs Cullender's residence. Gala street, on Friday evening Inst for the purpose of presenting to Mr and Mrs Turnbull, as a token of their esteem and regard, a cabinet of table silver, suitably inscribed. Several of the firm's officers 'stationed iv other parts of the colony joined in the testimonial. A very pleasant evening was spent, and Mr Turnbull in acknowledging the many kindly references made to Mrs Turnbull and himself by Messrs Callender, Strettell. Heed and Scandrett. made some interesting allusions to his long connection with the company at Invercargill as its former manager.