WAIRARAPA PIONEERS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 19 June 1931, Page 4

WAIRARAPA PIONEERS

MR AND MRS DEAL. GOLDEN WEDDING TO-MORROW. Residents of the Wairarapa for over 40 years, Mr and Mrs A. P. Deal, of Renall street, are to celebrate their golden wedding to-morrow. Both are characteristic of the sturdy pioneers who Came out to people New Zealand in the early days. They have passed through some stirring experiences, and can recall, with all their vividness, many of the happenings in the Wairarapa which have long since passed into history. They have seen ' Masterton grow from a small bush town to its present size, with its excellent streets and other conveniences of modern times. Mr Deal was born in Suffolk, England, on January 9th, 1885, and in 1576 he arrived by the Otaki at Lyttelton, after one hundred days out from London. Mrs Deai arrived in New Zealand, with her parents, in the sailing ship -Waimate a year before Mr Deal. Speaking to a ‘ ‘ Daily Times ’ ’ representative this morning, Mr Deal stated that his first job was on a dairy farm at Akaroa; at 15s a week. He soon saved enough to purchase a 20-acre section, which he farmed for nine years. After working in various parts of the South Island, including Blenheim and South Canterbury, Mr Deal came to the Wairarapa in 1890, and took up a bush section at Wingawa, which he farmed for 20 years before his retirement. This morning Mr Deal recalled a big bush fire which occurred about forty years ago at Waingawa, and which caused much damage. Mr and Mrs Deal were married at Akaroa in 1881, and have one daughter. When chatting with a “Daily Times” reporter, Mr Deal 6y no means gave evidence of old age, but, on the other hand, showed a bright and hopeful outlook and a vivid memory when in reminiscent mood. He paid a particularly high tribute to his wife, who shared s 6 willingly the hardships attending the farming of a bush section. Both will be the recipients of many congratulatory messages from a host of old friends throughout the Wairarapa and in other parts of the Dominion, on the atttainment of the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding.