GOLDEN WEDDING.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 705, 10 February 1922, Page 4

GOLDEN WEDDING.

FIFTY YEARS OF SLiSjSI

MR AND MRS AUDUS RAINES'.

On February 2nd, 1922, at Mon Desir, Takapuna, over 70 relatives and friends were present at the celebration of the golden wedding of Mr and’ Mrs Audus Raynes. The couple were married on February 2 half a century ago by Rev.. Charles Fraser, at theManse, Christchurch, and have been for very many years residing at Patumahoe. in the Franklin County.

Mr Raynes came out to New Zealand by the ship “African,” which arrived in Auckland in 1862, and he then went into business in Thames -as a fruiterer. When the late Sir GeorgeGrey owned the island of Kawaa Mr Raynes lived there, and when the Duke of Edinburgh and Sir Charles Beresford visited New Zealand he was their guest on R',M.S. Galatea. Mr Raynes was one of the first licensees in Dargaville, and afterwards had the National Hotel at Cambridge and’ other licensed houses. At the time of King George’s visit to New Zealand, Mr Raynes was the proprietor of Martin’s stables at Parnell, and, securing the contract for the Royal carriages, drove His Majesty to H.M.S. Ophir at -the wharyes.

He it was who built the present Mon Desir Hotel and Takapuna’s first tea kiosk, and Mr Raynes also instituted the agitation which resulted in the formation of the Borough of Takapuna. In 1872 Mr Raynes married Mrs Raynes, then Missi Flora Alice Stilwell, fifth daughter of the late Mr John Stilwell, of the Royal Engineers. Mrs Raynes was born in fhe MilitaryBarracks on the site now occupied’ by Albert Park. The grounds and tea kiosk, prettily decorated for the occasion with ferns and palms, were used for a reception during -the afternoon, when the large number of relatives f.ncT friends met together to tender their congratulations to Mr and Mrs Raynes on this notable event, j

After afternoon tea the hea'th of Mr and Mrs Raynes, proposed by the Rev. C. Houchen, w.as heartily responded to with musical honou- s. Mr Raynes responded suitably on behalf of Mrs Raynes and himself, Mrs Raynes was the recipient of many bouquets from her family, the guests of the hotel, Mrs Coleman, Miss Caldow, and Miss Dawson. Amongst those present were: Mrs G, Raynes, sen., Mrs Myers', Mrs G. Wynyard, theHon. E. W. and Mrs Alison, Mrs, P. Tudehope, Mrs Cyril Map Parkin, and the first great child, little Lois Parkin (ageaNeven weeks), Mr and Mrs Ernest Alison, Mrs Mair. Mrs G. Griffin, Dr and Mrs Parkes, Mrs Little (Sydney), Mrs S. Wilson (Hamilton), Mr and Mrs Jones (Sydney), Mr and Mrs J. Raynes and family, Mr and Mrs B. Raynes and family, Mr and Mrs G. Raynes, Mr and Mrs R. Hughes, Mr, Mrs and Miss Wynyard, Mrs J. Wynyard, (Devonport), the Rev.. C. Houchen, Mr R. Wynyard, juri„ Miss Cora Mqrvyn, Mr and Mrs F. Hawes, Miss Bass, Mr and Mrs Norman Wade, Mr and Mrs Cutten, Mr W. Bloomfield, Mr Pailey, Miss Walker, Mrs C. Brown, Mrs and Miss Young, Miss Caldow, Miss Dawson, Mrts Stewart, Mrs Coleman, Misses Ruby and Hazel Tomlinson, Mrs Newson, Mrs Harris (Mnrton), Mr E. Morrison, and Mr W. Wall. An orchestra played many pleasing items during the afternoon,. A dance was held in the tea kiosk during the evening for the young people, and this was highly enjoyable.