A PEARL WEDDING

Taranaki Daily News, 9 December 1931, Page 5

A PEARL WEDDING

85 YEARS MARRIED. A WAIRARAPA EVENT. The celebration of a 65th marriage anniversary is itself a rare event, and *uch a celebration by a husband and wife both born in New Zealand m probably unique. The distinction falls upon Mr.' and Mrs. Thomas George, of Gar- . rison Street, Cartertpn, wh o on Monday celebrated their “pearl wedding. Mr. George, who is 87 years of age, was tornin Nelson. His parents were residents of Wellington, their home being i in Tinakori Road, but at the time of his birth , his parents were among the Wellin°ton residents who had been temporarilv removed to Nelson owing to some Native disturbance. Mr. George spent hifi early life m WeiHuston, and at the ago of 18 years wasi attracted to the West Coast by the cold rush. Returning to the North Island he went oyer the Rimutakas to the Wairarapa 67 years ago, the only road in those days being a track through bush and flax. Two years later he was married to Miss Elizabeth Yule, whose narents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Alex. were farmers at “The Cliffs,” near Masterton. # Miss Yule was bom in Lower Hutt, her parents’ house being on the site of the old Methodist Church, in what is now 'High Street. Mrs. George can recall -the large flood in the valley, and early Maori wars. Her eldest brother w as the first child to be bom in the Hutt Valley. Mr. and Mrs. George lived in the Masterton district for over 20 years, Mr. George being engaged in sawmilling on his own account. With the exception of a period of three years, when he was farming in the New Plymouth district, Mr. George carried on sawmilling. in various parts ‘ of the Wairarapa, until he retired 14 years ago. Mr. and Mrs/George reared a family of five sons and five daughters. One -daughter passed away some time ago, and the remaining members of tne. family are Mrs. A. Fraser (Melbourne), Mrs. W. H. Carty- and Mrs. D. Murray Huttb Mrs. A. Taylor (Carterton)*. Messrs. Alex. George- (Tawaha, Martinborough), Fred (Taihape), Thomas (Akatarawa), James (Danne virke), and Robert (Martinborough). Both Mr and Mrs. George are enjoying good ' health. Mrs. George is 85 years of age, and was a girl of 17 years when her parents went to the Wairarapa. There ar® 35 grandchildren, and' 23 greatgrandchildren.