GOLDEN WEDDING

Chronicle (Levin), 19 March 1947, Page 2

GOLDEN WEDDING

HAPPY CELEBRATION IN OTAKI A On the evening of March 12 the Anglican Hall at Otaki was the scene of a brilliant function to celebrate the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Frew (Frank) Shaw, of Otaki. On that day fifty years ago at Masterton, Maud Emily McKay was married to Frew (Frank) 3haw by the Rev. Robert Wood. The celebration of the golden wedding, which took the form of a banquet followed by a social. and dance, was arranged by the family, and the catering was under the supervision of one of the daugh,ers, Mrs. D. W. Debreceny, whose well-known skill in this respect vas well exemplified in the maguficent spread provided and parfcicularly by the beautiful . twotiered wedding cake. The hall was tastefully decorated with flowers bhe work of the members of the family, their wives and husbands. When the guests had assembled, the bride and groom entered the hall in traditional manner to the strains of "Here Comes the Bride," and were received with enthusiastic applause. After the loyal toast had been lionoured, the toast to the bride and bridegroom was proposed by Mr. F. J. Ryder in a humorous speech, in which he touched upon the dignity and usefulness of manual labour of which, he said, he and the bridegroom had been practical exponents all their lives. In his response, Mr. Shaw actually displayed all the hesitation usually associated with a bridegroom at an original wedding ceremony. The cutting of the cake by the bride and 'groom provided an excuse for prolonged applause and much good-natured banter. While the cake was being handed around by the grandchildren, Mr. Edlin amused the company with a series of conjuring and sleight-of-hand . tricks. At this stage Mr. Utiku Hapeta spoke on behalf of the Maori people. He said he had lived as a neighbour of Mr. and Mrs. Shaw for some 20 years past, and had found them a hard-working and contented couple, a good example to all around them. They were well thought of by the Maoris of the district, and this was a good sign because the Maori was* a good judge of character. He wished them many years of happy life. A toast to "The Family" was ably proposed by Mr. Harold Taylor, and responded to by Mr. Robert Shaw. "Husbands, Wives and Children of the Family" was proposed by Mr. Edhouse and responded to by Mr. Newdick. Mr. Townrow, who had played the accompaniments to the numerous renderings of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow," gave a stirring song. He was roundly encored. "Absent Friends" was proposed by Mr. Joe Ashworth, of Levin, a brother-in-aw of the bride and 'groom. The response to this toast was by way of reading telegrams and messages of greeting and goodwill from all over New Zealand. Interspersed with the dancing which followed, and for which Mr. Pat Sharp supplied the music, solo dances and songs were given by Mrs. Hancock. pespite his 83 years, Mr. Fred Ryder also sang in a clear and really lusty voice several songs from the dim and distant past. About 100 people took part in the festivities. Among those present were all the members of the family, Mrs. Newdick, Mrs. Debreceny and Mrs. Hancock, of Otaki; Mr. Robert Shaw, of Auckland; and Mr. William Shaw. of Wellington, together with their respective husbands and wives. Of the six grandchildren, five were present, the sixth being absent from New Zealand. Also in attendance were: Sisters of the bridegroom, Mrs. Kerr and Mrs. Kidd, of Christchurch; sisters of the bride, Mrs. Ashworth, of Levin, and Mrs. MacKay, of Masterton; brothers of the bride, John McKay, of Pongaroa, and James McKay, of Halcombe. Everyone who was privileged to be present voted the evening a great success. It was a pleasure to watch the elderly people making such a remarkably successful effort to recapture the spirit of youth, and to re-create, for the time being at least, the joy and gladness of the days long since past. This was particularly noticeable in a set of lancers, for which the old fiddle was brought to light to supply some music of the old barn dance davs variety. Mr. Calwell acted as toastmaster and master of ceremonies. The singing of Auld Lang Syne" brought to a close one of the most enjoyable evenings held in Otaki for many a long day.