A GOLDEN WEDDING.

Colonist, Volume XLVII, Issue 11435, 14 September 1905, Page 2

A GOLDEN WEDDING.

The "Marlborougb Express" reports:—A very pleasant social gathering took place at Qrovetown on Wednesday last, to celebrate the golden wedding of Mr and Mrs Philip Vercoe. The guests, who numbered nearly 300, were invited to lunch and dinner, and a dance in the evening. Mr and Mrs Vercoe, who are respectively 78 and 74 years of age, landed in Taranaki in 1811, and were married there on the 26th September, 1855, by the Yen. Archdeacou Govett. Mr Vercoe sorved in the Taranaki Maori war under the late Major Atkinson, and received tbe medal for that campaign. The old couple had 16 children, of whom 11 are etill alive, Mrs W.Jones being one of the number. They have 71 grandchildren and nearly 30 greatgrandchildren. Mr and Mrs Vercoe received many congratulations on tbeir hale and hearty appearance. They thoroughly enjoyed the dance, and led off in the first set of lancers.