DIAMOND WEDDING.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14539, 17 October 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

DIAMOND WEDDING.

(From "Tfco. Colonist,',' Sept. 24th.)

Mr and Mrs John Flower, of Wakapuaka, celebrated their diamond wedding at their residence on Saturday,, September 22nd. They were married on September 22nd, IS'57, at Christ. Church, Nelson, the Rev. Henry F, Butt being the officiating clergyman. Mrs Flower arrived in Nelson on April 11th in H.M.S. "Little London" in. 1842, with her mother,. Mrs Yanti. whose husband died on the voyage out. Mr Flower arrived some eight months, after j in December, 1842. They passed, tt'rough all the hardships of the old settlers at that period, and are still; hale and hearty, and able to do their own work. They have a family of five sons and three daughters,. all of whom are living., and well, 17 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. There have been no deaths in the family. Mr and Mrs Flower received numerous telegrams of congratulation, and were entertained in the afternoon by their family and friends. They are greatlyrespected and loved by all who know them. best. A very pleasant evening: was brought to a close with supper and' cheers, the singing of the National Anthem, and the hymn "God be withyou till we meet again." Mrs Flower sang in the first choir at the church, where she was.married, and also taught a-class in the Sunday' School,, and remembers going to church service, which was conducted in a tent, witti her mother.

(From "The Colonist," October Ist.)

The sixty-second anniversary of tha marriage of Mr and Mrs Frederick: Liley, of Harley street, was celebrated on Saturday night by a pleasant gathering of relatives and friends Mr Liley is a native of Westerham, lD Kent, and; Mrs Liley hails from Chipsted.. in the .same county. They were married La the Old Church at Stepney on October Ist, 1555, and they have been residents of this city for over 43 years. They havo 10 children surviving, 42 grandchildren, and 3J. great-grandchildren. When the Provincial Council decided, to form a settlement at the Karamea, Mr. Liley went there with the pioneer settlers, and assisted to put up the iirst buildings and footbridges. Mr Liley is* the possessor of the British and Turkish medals for service in the Crimean AVar, in which he was engaged with thoMounted Staff and ho was present at Woolwich when Queen Victoria inspected the war trophies which the troops took back to England with them. The \folunteer movement had in Mr Liley an enthusiastic supporter. In England he belonged to the No. 1 Kent iiattalion of Volunteers, and. for many years' he was connected with the Nelson Garrison Band. Mr and Mrs Liley are both in good health, and this year's anniversary celebration found the former able to dance and play his bellswith his accustomed spirit.