GOLDEN WEDDING

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 4, 6 January 1936, Page 13

GOLDEN WEDDING

FINE COLONISTS

Mr. and Mrs. J. A. McGrath, of Konini Road, Hataitai, will celebrate their golden wedding tomorrow. Their marriage was solemnised at old St. Mary's Cathedral, Hill Street, by the late Rev. Father McNamara, S.M. Seven surviving children will Unite for the festivities of the fiftieth anniversary, together with 15 grandchldren. The followng are the members of the family: The Rev. K. I. McGrath, S.M., and Miss E. F. McGrath (Auckland), Mr. J T. McGrath (Hamilton), Mrs. N. J. ■McKay (Waipawa), Mesdames L. R. Loftus and W. J. S. Courtney, and Miss M. M. McGrath (Wellington).

In 1877, Mr. McGrath set out from his home in Wexford, Ireland, and on arriving in Wellington enrolled for service with the New Zealand Armed Constabulary Force. After four years' service, including the period of the Te Whiti troubles- in Taranaki, Mr. McGrath joined the civil police force in this city in 1882. From 1884 he served in the detective branch, with which

he remained for 25 years, being chiefdetective in Wellington for a decade. He was a familiar figure as police prosecutor in the local court and it has been given to few officers to enjoy the respect which "the Chief" won by his unfailing fairness and consideration. With Bench, Bar, Press, and public Mr. McGrath stood high, while his staff entertained for him a real affection.

Commissioned rank came to "the Chief" when he transferred to Christchurch as sub-inspector in 1909. Promotion in due course followed as inspector at Auckland and Napier, with a final transfer to Dunedin as superintendent in 1919. From Dunedin, Mr. McGrath retired after 44 years' service; the recipient of the most cordial expressions of appreciation and good will. For the last 14 years Mr. and Mrs. McGrath have resided at Hataitai.

Mrs. McGrath, who, with her husband has shared the regard of a wide circle of friends, arrived in Wellington in 1885, having left her home in Daylesford, Victoria, for a year's furlough with her uncle, Mr. C. T. Browne, who was then chief-detective in this city. Her kindly and charitable disposition in various centres found an outlet in St. Vincent de Paul and other welfare activities, and with Mr. McGrath she will be the recipient of cordial and sincere congratulations on reaching the fiftieth milestone.

Of a family of twelve, two, besides the seven assembling for the golden wedding, reached adult age and died in the service of others: Sergeant C. U. McGrath, M.M. (killed in the Battle of the Somme, 1916), and Sister M. of St. Liguori (died at Mt. Magdala, Christchurch, 1934).