GOLDEN WEDDING

Chronicle (Levin), 2 April 1946, Page 4

GOLDEN WEDDING

HAPPY CELEBRATION AT OHAU Thursday, March 21, 1946, was a happy day for Mr. and Mrs. R. Baylis, of Ohau West Road, when they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. The marriage at Palmerston North on March 21, 1896, united two families who had ■ been early and well-known settlers of the Manawatu, Mr. Baylis being the second son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Baylis, and Mrs. Baylis the elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. Dickel, of Palmerston North, but the Horowhenua district has been theii home for the last 40 years. Mr. Baylis' connection with Levin goes back over a period of sixty years, he having made the journey from Wellington by horse and dray, the trip taking three and' a-half days, There was only a road to Paekakariki in those days, the beach being the highway from then on, with numerous rivers to cross The "Weathersfleld," a large sailing vessel, was stranded on the Ohau beach, at the time Mr. Baylis made 'his trip. Reaching Hokio he made his way inland to a flaxmill at the back oi the Horowhenua Lake. Leaving his horse and dray at the mill, Mr. Baylis completed the journey on foot to the railway station at the south end of Levin, there being two stations in those days. The engines used wood for fuel, and alongside the line were stacks of it, which was ptirchased from the farmers at 7s 6d a cord. A few years later Mr. Baylis was again in Levin, this time having made the journey on horseback from Palmerston North, via Shannon. The last part of the trip is still fresh in his memory, as it was very rough going from Ihakara to Levin, That the Horowhenua district held an attraction for Mr. Baylis is evident as in 1907, with Mrs. Baylis. they made their home in Oxford Street, Levin, Mr. Baylis setting up in business as a carrier and contractor, -Be was engaged in carting the cement for the constr'uction oi the water works tunnel to the site, as well as being responsible for the formation 'of several streets and footpaths and other work for the Levin Borough Council, Later he purchased a small farm on the site where the abattoir now stands, and was also the proprietor of the coach which brought the school children into Levin from the Kimberley area. The Government Experimental Farm, which was opposite Mr. Baylis' property, extended its operations and bought Mr. Baylis' farm after a few years, he shifting back into town to fourid the carrying business of Baylis and Sons, which proved a most successful venture. After a number of years he disposed of it. With the sale of his business, Mr. and Mrs. Baylis returned to dairy farming, buying a property at Ohau beach, which he continued to farm suceessfully in conjunction with hi? t^o sons, but in 1933 ill health necessitated them procuring a smaller property, which they purchased in 1933 at Kuku, finally retiring to their present residence in

1936. ' - Mr. and Mrs. 'Baylis hold many happy memories of their sojourn in this district and can relate a host of incidents, both humorous- and sad, of the older indentities of the district who were alive in their younger days. Showing the esteem in which Mr. and Mrs. Baylis are held, many messages of congratulations were received during the ~day, while friends and relatives gathered, to honour this popular couple. Pride of place on the festive board was given to the golden wedding cake, fnade by a niece and beautifully decorated by Mr. A. C. Kennerley. of Levin, in cream and gold ieing, with the years 1896-1946 outstanding. • There are two sons of the jnarriage, Richard, of Bath Street, Levin, and Horatio, of College Street, Palmerston North, and six grandchildren and one great-grand-child. r

First Day Saies Total The first day saies of the pictorial issue of the peace stamps at' the Levin Post Office totalled £121 10-s. The postmaster (Mr. L, A. Whitham) advised this morning that all the first day covers and descriptive booklets were disposed of at an early hour, but the keen demand for the stamps continued throughout the day.