SILVER WEDDING

Taranaki Daily News, 4 July 1931, Page 6 (Supplement)

SILVER WEDDING

CELEBRATION AT R.\WHITJROA. The silver wedding of Air. and Airs. 11. Wood, Rawhitiroa, was celebrated on Tuesday evening when a surprise party consisting of 60 friends paid a visit to tl'.e homestead. The visitors took charge of the house, and, after being welcomed by Air. and Airs. Wood, indulged in dancing in the spacious drawing-room. Air. Darcy Alay was master of ceremonies, and the music was supplied by Airs. Hutchins, Airs. Clements, Airs. Gernhoefer and Air. A. Al. Wilson. Two elocutionary items were given by Air. W. Hunger. Air. Wilson and Air. F. E. Silver sang. On behalf of those present Air. J. Cceker congratulated Air. and Mrs. Wood. Air. Wood was one of the earliest settiers in the district and had made a wilderness into a prosperous farm. He had been ably assisted by Airs. Wood, and the large attendance was indisputable evidence of the numbers of friends they bad made during the 25 years. Mr. Cocker recalled the good work Airs. Wood had done in both Rawhitiroa and Eltham in social and church affairs, and said that the family had earned the affectionate gratitude of the whole district. Me presented them with a silver afternoon tea set, the gift of their many friends. In response, Air. Wood described Rawhitiroa in the early days. When he first made his way into the district there were no roads, the swamp was undrained and the land was completely undeveloped. The passing years had seen many changes, and despite the cutbacks that all pioneers had t-> contend with, they had won through, to see the present progressive district emerge from the wilderness. Not many of the original settlers were now to be seen in Rawhitiroa, continued Air. Wood. There were only three present, Air. W. Aloller, Air. J. Bootten and Air. Harry Belcher, who had known the eaiiy days of the district; nevertheless those who had come in late had proved themselves worthy successors to the pioneers. Air. and Airs. Wood were showered with confetti and to the strains of the “Bridal Chorus” led the company in a wedding march.