SIXTY YEARS MARRIED

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1928, Page 11

SIXTY YEARS MARRIED

DIAMOND WEDDING HELD. Mr. and Mrs. I. Paulger celebrated their diamond wedding at Inglewood on Tuesday, when four sons and three daughters met for the first ti me since childhood. All members of the family were present, including 22 grandchildren. One daughter died some years ago. Many presents were received and bouquets were sent from Mrs. Wallace (Waver - iey), Mrs. D. Wright (Durham Road), Mrs. Crossman senr., and Mrs. J. Young (Inglewood). The Rev. H. Orchard, of Manaia, formerly minister in the district, was in charge of the ceremony, which was held at the residence in Standish Street. He was assisted by the Rev. Mr. Bensley, who is the present minister in the district. Speeches of congratulation were made by the ministers and by Mrs. Orchard (Manaia), Mrs. G. Wilson and Mrs. D. Gillespie (New Plymouth) and Mrs. J. Young and Miss O. Faweett (Inglewood). Mr. William and Mr. Joe Paulger responded cn behalf of their parents.

Telegrams and messages were received’ from friends and relatives in various parts of New Zealand and Australia. Mr. and Mrs. Paulger expressed thanks for the messages and gave some reminiscences of their early life. The toast proposed to children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, was responded to by Miss Irene Paulger, Maungapohutu, Urewera. The toast to the visitors was proposed by Mr. Albert Paulger, Raetihi. Other members of the family who spoke were Mrs. S. Hawaii (Wellington), Miss A. Paulger (Auckland), Mrs. A. Schultz (Inglewood). The gathering closed with the “Doxology” and the ■'Benediction."’

The couple were married at Wilksby, England, and seven years later set out for New Plymouth in the ship Chili. They landed on the beach in surf boats on September 26, 1875, after a voyage lasting lour months. They spent another three months in the barracks on Marsland Hill and then went to Inglewood in a bullock waggon to settle later on a farm on the Lincoln Road, a district then covered with bush.

For 53 years Mr. and Mrs. Paulger have lived in the locality, and they were partly responsible for the founding of the Methodist Church there. Mrs. Paulger was a daughter of Mr. William Sanderson, and was born in Holton (Lincolnshire). Mr. Paulger came from Southern, in the same locality.