DIAMOND WEDDING CELEBRATED

Chronicle (Levin), 18 August 1947, Page 4

DIAMOND WEDDING CELEBRATED

MR. AND MRS. J. W. PROCTER SH0WERED WITH CONGRATULATIONS

In a spirit of happy celebration of .an ahhiVersary which. few attain and appreeiation of iong and iiseful service to the community, relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Procter gathered in Williams' reception room on Satur-. day night to honour them on the Occasion of their diamond wedding. About 130 attended the fundtion and a wealth> of congfatulations and good wishes were showered on the guests of the evening. The toastmaster was Mr. E. M. Ryder, who opened the proceedings "by reading a cable from the King and Queen, sending hearty congratulations and best wishes to Mr. and Mrs. Procter. This was follov. ed by the loyal, toast, honoured by the singing of the National Anthem. After all present had partaken of refr'eshments, Mr. Ryder read a long list of congratulatory telegrams from friends all over the Dominion. Among them was one from the Governor-General, Sjr Bernard Freyberg, and Lady Freyberg. Mr. Ryder then introduced the members of Mr. and Mrs. Procter's family, their two daughters .and four sons, all of whom were happily able to be present, First to speak on the toastlist was Mr. T. Moynihan, of Shannon, Who" has been associated with football in the Horowhenua district dver a long period. He said the remark was often heard that a person was "the grand old man" of a particular spou, and Mr. Procter was the "grand old man of Rugby in Horowhenua." Sir Bernard Freyberg, who had played for Wanderers Club in the early days in Levin, had met Mr. Procter in Wellington

since coming to New Zealand as Governor-General, and his greeting had been, "How is Lord Rugby?" Mr. Procter had filled every position on the union except that of selector, and had given a number of cups for competition. Ably supported by Mrs. Procter, he was undoubtedly the outstanding personality in Horowhenua Rugby. Mr. A. Gillespie, president of the Horowhenua Rugby Union, said that today the union had 600 players and ofhcials taking part in the game each week. Its growth was undoubtedly due to the firm foundations laid by Mr. Procter and others like him. Before coming to Levin he had helped the game in the Wairarapa, while he had also been responsible for starting it on the East Coast. On behalf of the union executive, Mr. Gillespie thanked Mr. Procter for his fine contribution and expressed the hope that both he and Mrs. Procter would be able to be present at the union's diamond jubilee celebrations in seven years' time. Mr. J. J. Maher, M.P., said he was delighted to be able to do honour to two fine old settlers like Mr. and Mrs. Procter. Not only had Mr. Procter been a piomeer in football, but he and Mrs. Proeter were two of those grep.t pioneers who had assisted in aeveloping the courit-ry. It was a pity, Mr. Maher cohtinued, that there were not more in New Zealand today with the spirit of the early pioneers. He conveyed best wishes to the guests for many ; happy returns of their wedding day. Mr. M. H. Oram, M.P., said it wasa unique privilege to take part in a gathering to do honour to- a couple who had borne the struggles and joys of 60 years, and who had jseen such development of the disitrict and country. It would be a Iwopderful experiehce to look back jover 60 years of toil, struggle and endeavour, and memories sweet and bitter. Seeing the serehity on

the faces of the two guests that night, Mr. Oram said he was sure they looked back with pleasure and gratitude, and with no regrets. Several members of the Opposition had asked him to convey their good wishes, but he felt that on such an occasion party politics could be sunk, and on" behalf of every member of the House he could congr'atulate Mr. and Mrs. .Procter and. voice the hope that they would still have many more years of happi- ; ness before them. * • Speaking for the Levin Primary School C'ommittee, teachers and pupils, the headmaster, Mr. H, F. McClune, said he had to thank Mr. Procter for an' outstanding record of 20 years' service on the committee, and he doubted whether it could be equalled. In that period Mr. Procter had faithfully carried out his work for the children and the district. He paid tribute to both Mr. and Mrs. Procter for their contribution to education, and said he hoped they would live for many years yet and be able to continue attending the schooTs annual fete. Mr. T. Bevan, a past president of the Levin Eacing Club, said he had known Mr. and Mrs. Procter ' over a long period of years. Mr, Procter had done a great deal for the club and it was very much appreciated. He wished both the guests continued health and happiness. Another past president of the Levin Racing Club, Mr. Walter Ryder, said that Mr. Proeter's association with the club dated baek to over 40 years ago. He was one of the outstanding men because he had taken charge of the track, and even after the late war had supervised its restoration when the course, had been handed back in a very damaged condition by the military authorities. The club had experienced its ups.and downs, but Mr. Proeter's enthusiasm and work

had never flagged. Mrs. Procter, too, had always been ready and! Willing to assist. Mr. E. M. Ryder', president of the club, also added his congratulations and tribute to Mr. and Mrs, Procter. On rising to reply, Mr. Procter was given a great ovation, followed by the singing of "For They Are Jolly Good Fellows." At the outspt he warmly thanked Messrs. E. M. Ryder and R. G. Romans for taking over the organisation of the function, and for their work in making all the arrangements. "If we have done anything for the district it has been a privilege and pleasure," said Mr. Procter. He thanked all present for attending and helping to make the occasion such a happy one, and for the warm good wishes which had been extended to Mrs. Procter and himself. Amidst applause Mr. and Mrs. Procter cut the beautiful cake. ! The toast to the descendants of 'Mr. and Mrs. Procter was sponsored by Mr. Hector MeDonald, who, in ;his inimitably humorous manner, Igave some reminiscences of early IHorowhenua. It was responded to :by Mr. F. Procter, of Wellington, : eldest son of the guests of the evening. Mr. W. Bull gave the toast of "Old Identities," to which Mr. F. iRetter, of Auckland, Mrs, Proeter's i eldest brother, replied. The final | toast, that of "The Ladies," was in the capable hands of Mr. E. Hogg. iMiss H. E. Bowen responded and ireferred in glowing terihs to Mrs. I Proeter's readiness and willingness [to help and work for the women's •organisations of the town at all Itimes. To conclude a very pleasant function all present joined harids in the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." Interspersed with the speeches ; were songs by the ever popular Mr. 'Tony Woods- and pianoforte solos [by Mr. Frank Crowther, both of Wellington.