Diamond Wedding Celebration.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLII, Issue 3, 20 January 1909, Page 22

Diamond Wedding Celebration.

We hear occasionally of “Gohlen Wedding-," hut it i- -eldom indeed that the term of matrimonial happiness extends to sixty years. The rare event of a Diamond Jubilee, however, was celebrat ed yb Mr. and Mrs. John McLean, of Aucland, last week. Mr. McLean, founder of tin* well known firm of rail way and marine contractors, John Me Lean ami Sons, was born in Argyleshire, Scotland. S 4 years ago. He went to Capo Breton. Canada, in early life, with his parents, ami came to New Zealand in IStit) in the “Helen Lewis," with a party of 240 special settlers from Nova Scotia, who were pioneered to this country by the Rev. Norman McLeod. After arrival he entered into various employments, took his chare in the country's defence during the Maori War, ami tried his luck, with not much financial success, at mining upon the opening of the Thames goldfields. Nearly forty years ago Mr. McLean entered upon the

business of contractor, more especially in connection with t’he construction of bridges and wharves, admitting his sons, Murdoch and Neil, into partnership at a later period. The progress of the firm has been uninterrupted ever since, until it now stands at the head of the list of New Zealand contractors, having in hand works rcpiesenting a million pounds sterling, including the Otira Tunnel, the largest work of its kind south of the equator; a big graving dock and a ferroconcrete wharf at Wellington, and other important contracts. The venerable partner of Mr. McLean's fortunes is now’ in her 83rd year, being one year younger than her husband. Of the considerable number of married people who arrived by the “Helen Lewis” in 1860, many of them younger than Mr. and Mrs McLean, they alone remain united, and both arc hale and active considering their advanced years. Many messages of friendly congratulation from all parts of New Zealand were received on the occasion of the happy celebration.

FRONT ROW. Messrs. I’. M. Edgar (Wanganui). .1. Kerrigan (Dunedin), C. J. Reakes (Acting-Chief Veterinarian). J. A. Gilruth, J. G. Clayton (Christchurch), A. R. Young i.Xew riyinouth). O. Spihnan (I’etone). BACK ROW: Messrs. 11. S. S. Kyle (Abba t loir. Christchurch). 11. A. Reid (Wellington), C. .1. Sanderson (Ashburton). T. G. Lilico (Hastings).

FRONT Ro\V. Mr. (’. W. 11 ursi house Chief Engineer. Roads Department). Colonel A. Hume (Inspector of Prisons). Messrs. T. Romiyne (General Manager N. Z. Railways), 11. -I 11. Blow (t ’nder Secret ary to the Treasury). .1. 11. Richardson, Commissioner and Inspector of Customs), <l. Allport (Secretary. Marine Department), D. Robertson • Secretary. Cost and Telegraph I »epa it ment. SECOND ROW: Messrs. A. Barron (Land Purchase Inspector). .1, D. Ritchie (Secretary for Agriculture), W. C. Kensington 11 ndcr Secretary for Lands. G. F. ('. ('amphell (Va luer (Jenera 1). T. Humphries (Surveyor-General). .1, \V. Poynton (Public Trustee). P. Heyes (Commissioner of Taxes), W. Dinnie (Commissioner of Police). T. W. Fisher (I’ndcr Secretary Native Department). R. W. Holmes (Engineer-in (’lliff. Public Works Department). THIRD ROW: Me>si>, C. A. St. G Hickson (Commissioner of Stamps). G. Ilogben. M.A. (Inspector-General of Schoois). E. .1. Von Dadelzen (Inspector-General). John Mackay (Governnu nt Printer), Frank Hay. M. 8.. C.M. 11 n specter Genera I of Mental Hospitals). F. W. Mansfield (Chief Electoral Officer). J. M. Mason. M.D. (Chief Health Officer), R. E. Hayes (Registrar of Friendly Soeleties). FOI R’l’H ROW: Messrs. T. 11. Hamer (I’nder -Secret ary for Mines). T. E. Donne (General Manager, Department of Tourist and Health Resorts).