DIAMOND WEDDING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1941, Page 2

DIAMOND WEDDING

? MR & MRS A. P. DEAL. HAPPY CELEBRATION YESTERDAY. There was a happy gathering in Masterton yesterday afternoon when Mr and Mrs A. P. Deal, of Renall Street, celebrated their diamond wedding. Mr and Mrs Deal are well known and highly respected residents, having lived in the district since 1890. They were married at Akaroa in 1881. Mr Deal, who was born at Suffolk, England, arrived in New Zealand in 1876 by the Otaki. landing at Lyttelton after 100 days at sea. Mrs Deal, who was Miss C. Barrett, daughter of Mr and Mrs William Barrett. Akaroa, arrived by the Waimate a year before. Mr Deal followed farming pursuits for many years. They arrived in the Wairarapa in 1890, where Mr Deal bought land at Waingawa. He cleared the land of its virgin bush and after 20 years work retired, taking up his residence in Masterton.

A number of friends gathered at Mr and Mrs Deal's residence yesterday afternoon when the occasion was suitably honoured. The drawing room was decorated with bowls of narcissi and Iceland poppies. The Rev. John Davie presided at a well-laden table, which featured decorations of purple stock. Pride of place was taken by an ar-tistically-iced wedding cake (made by a niece, Mrs C. Munro, Ohakea). In proposing the toast of Mr and Mrs Deal's health, Mr Davie extended to them the best wishes of those present for their continued good health and prosperity. He stated that GO years of married life was a remarkable achievement and he congratulated them on the fact. Mr Deal suitably replied. Other toasts were honoured. Included among the many congratulatory telegrams was a message from the Acting-Prime Minister, Mr Walter Nash. There were present, the Rev. John Davie. Mr and Mrs A. P. Deal, Mr and Mrs A. Weller, Mesdames J. M. Coradine, C. Miller. A. L. Small, C. Munro (Ohakea), M. Carlson, M. Wadham. L. Emery, M. Truscott. Miss L. Miller, Messrs R. Penny and W. Innes.