GOLDEN WEDDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18380, 4 February 1928, Page 8

GOLDEN WEDDING.

MR AND MRS STEDMAN. From Our Correspondent. AUCKLAND, February 3. After fifty years of married life Mr and Mrs Arthur Stedman, of Alfred Street, Auckland, celebrated their golden wedding on Wednesday. Mr Stedman, who was born in 1853, is one of the pioneers of New Zealand, having arrived in Auckland with his father, the late Dr Stedman, of London, in the ship Frenchman in 1860. Dr Stediran's family lived in Auckland for seme time in a small house below Albert Park. Leaving for the south in a schooner cf. twenty-five tons, the family arrived at Sumner after a month at sea, and went up the Avon River to Christchurch, where Dr Stedman was the first London medical practitioner to settle. During the voyage down the coast supplies of food became short, and at Napier Dr Stedman was forced to go ashore and shoot sheep. Kir Arthur Stedman was a pupil of Christ's College, and he joined the Bank of New South Wales on leaving school. He was present at the laying of the foundation stone of the Christchurch Cathedral. After being transferred to Wanganui, Mr Stedman married Miss Anna Lomax, step-daughter of the late Hon R. Pharazvn, M.L.C. While in Wanganui he was instrumental in starting Rugbj r football and also was a promoter of rowing. After being successively branch manager in Greymouth, Nelson. Timaru. Wanganui and Napier, Mr Stedman returned as manager to Christchurch, where he retired after fifty-one years’ service. Mr and Kirs Stedman came to live in Auckland eight years ago.

During the war Kir Stedman was treasurer of the Canterburj' Patriotic Fund. He has been a prominent supporter of Rugby football and rowing, and is also a keen bowler. He was for fifty years an active churchman.

There are four sons. Messrs A. L. Stedman. of Auckland; Nelson Stedman, of Auckland; Gerald Stedman, of Ifawera; and Ralph Stedman, of Nelson.