SIXTY YEARS MARRIED

Chronicle (Levin), 6 February 1947, Page 4

SIXTY YEARS MARRIED

Pioneer Couple Celebrate Diamond Jobilee A telegraph boy who called at a small cottage in Seddon Street,, Weraroa, last week was the unwit- . ting instigator of celebrations by an elderly couple, Mr. Albert and Mrs. Amelia Jackson, two well-known and respected identities and pioneers of this district. The occasion was the aiamondanniversary of their wedding,. which was solemnised in Nelson oh January 29, 1887-. Until the arrival, of congratulatory telegrams from their family and clo.se friends, 'the couple were unaware that that particular day held- aiiy signifieance. • Both are fine examples of pioneer stock. Mr. Jackson, who is aged 83 claims that he is in excellent, health, but says that Mrs. Jackson, Who is 80, "has not been keeping quite so well lately." The casual observer would not substantiate this, however, as Mrs. . Jackson's 3ppearance and bearing deny her years. When interviewed yesterday, Mr. Jackson was busy digg:i"g and weeding his garden. On being complimented on the high standard of nis vegetables and flowers, he stated that gardening was his main liobby. "A few years a_go you couldnot find a single weed in this plot," he said with pride, but added a little ruefully that the job of keeping his garden clear was getting a liule beyond him now. Lived 46 Years in Levin Mr. Jackson said they came to Levin 46 years ago and had watch-c-d the town grow to its present size. He recalled the days when there were only 80 houses in Levin, and Oxford Street consisted of a hotel and a few small shops. Miss H, E. Bowen was the postmistress and the post office comprised a room of a small shop on the lefthand side of Oxford Street Those were the days, he said, when the only means of travel v ere by horseback or bullock waggon. The first car he saw was owned by a Dr. McKenzie, of Levin. Both Mr. and Mrs. Jackson were born in Nelson, and were married by the late Rev. J. M. Beck of that town. Mr. Jackson worked •' as a contractor for the council for some years, later accepting a position on ihe Government Experimental Farm in Beach Road, Weraroa. Subsequently he worked for Mr. J. Harvey, but as he grev, older turned to professional gardening as an occupation. He retired only ten years ago. Mr. Jackson grows his own vegetables and his wife does the cocking. • An echo of the pioneer days was contained in a remaik that there was always an extra place set in case of surprise company. "There is always a meal here for anyone who should call in. N0 one is refused hospitality be he a tramp or- passing. stranger." That hosiiita'lify,5 lhe;,"con'tehded, was waning with the years. To let a person pass your door withoat inviti'ng him in was unheard of in the early days. The people in the South Island were more hospitable today than those in the North, he said, when referring to an instance where he had asked for a ctrink of water at a house in the North Island, and had been simplv informed of the locality of the pump. "That's the djfference between the two Islands," he contended. Saw Many Wars i Mr. Jackson has lived through he reigns of five British monarchs, including Edward VIII, and has memories of four major wars. The Crimean War was still the subject of family conversation when he was very young. He also recalls a Maori uprising in Parihaka, Opunake, and the departure of a detachment of soldiers from Nelson to quell it. A keen sportsman, Mr. Jackson has taken an active part in both sricket and football. "I can't keep him away- from a radio when there is a Test match on," interrupted Mrs. Jackson, with a smile. "I've seen him sitting with his ear to the radio till all hours of the morning." Mr. Jackson said he had had to stop attending iocal matches as he found it too exerting. He followed the progress of the teams through :he newspaper and always listened n to outside matches. whenever possible. "We are both very happy and

have a lot to be thankful fur," said Mrs. Jackson, adding that they would pot care to live their lives over again. "We are quite -content as we are," she concluded. "I am not going to put my good health down to specific reasons, ' continued Mr. Jackson. "I eat anything that is cooked for me and like my pipe, but I never eat a meal while it is still hot. I mahitahi that anything that scalds your hands would do likewise to your stomach; therefore, I wait until it is cold." Mrs. Jackson, however, did not share these views. "I still like a hot cup of tea," she declared. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson have three children alive, one son having predeceased them. There are 31 grand-children and 25 great grandchildren. Many of their descendants saw service in both world wars.