GOLDEN WEDDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12617, 30 April 1919, Page 7

GOLDEN WEDDING.

There was a pleasant family reunion on Monday at the residence of Mr and Mrs John Hefford, two of Ashburton's oldest and most esteemed residents, ndien they celebrated their golden wed*nß house in Havelock Street. ■“ e " whose maiden name waii Esther Godfrey, was born at West Bum witch, Staffordshire, England, and enme to New Zealand in the shin Himalaya. Mr Hefford was born in the village of Crauslcy, Northamptonshire, and came to New Zealand in the ship Eastern Empire in 1864. They were married at St Andrew’s manse, Christchurch, by the Rev Charles Fraser, on April 28, 1869. After residing at Templetdn, and later at the Selwyn, they made their home in Ashburton on July «l and have lived there over since. They have living three sons, daughters and nineteen grandchildren' During his long residence in Ashburton Mr Hefford has taken keen interest in the welfare of the town. He was an enthusiastic fireman, and for twenty-nine consecutive years he was' a valued member of the Ashburton Fire Brigade, rarely, if ever, missing a praoties, and was always one of the foremost at the scene of a fire. He was fllso a keen volunteer, and for a nuniher of years was a member of the Ashburton Guard®. This, however, was not lus only military experience, as in Hie very early days he volunteered for active service when there was trouble with the Maoris in the. North Island, and . was amongst those who formed a volunteer company at Heathcote, which was known as the “Blue Jumpers.” The Rev George Miller, of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, at the golden wedding function. Messrs Thomas Bullock. James Cow, Thomas Williams, Hicht, Godfrey* and other l ? also offered their congratulations and best wishes. Mr Higlit, of Waddington, was a guest at the first wedding and was also a guest at the golden wedding. Mr P. Godfrey. Mrs Hefford's brother, acted as best men at the wedding in 1869, and was also present vr 0 6°Men wedding. Mr and Mrs Hefford Were the recipients of some veiw handsome presents, and a large number of guests were entertained during the afternoon and evening.