GOLDEN WEDDING

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1932, Page 5

GOLDEN WEDDING

MR & MRS R. ROSS

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS.

A very enjoyable and notable gathering of the “Clan Ross” was held'yesterday when some fifty, of the family and guests met to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Mr and Mils Robert Ross, at their residence in Gibson Quay. The senior guest, Mr AY. A. Thompson, who is 91 years of age, congratulated the host and hostess on the auspicious . celebration, and wished them many happy returns of the annual anniversary of their mam age. He. referred to the unique fact t-hat of th e large family nearly all had settled down in work and business in Hokitika.

A most enjoyable evening was sjpent, the numerous guests - exchanging experiences and recalling interesting events of the past. Telegrams of congratulations were received from' various parts of New Zealand. A varied and handsome collection of presents was on view, and 1 these and the many sincere expressions! of friendship and esteem bore, testimony to the high regard in which this worthy couple were held not only in Hokitika but elsewhere where they, and their descendants are known. There are eleven surviving sons and daughters, and eight grandchildren, and all with the exception of the eldest son (Mr R.; Ross of Tanmnrunui) are resident in Hokitika. Mr Robert Ross arrived in Hokitika in 1865 in the steamer Egmont. He recalls that |it took them 15 days to come round’ from Invercargill. The railway to the Bluff was riot then constructed, and they had to travel by wagon from Invercargill. The early 'yeans of Mr Ross’ life on the Oast were full of incident,, and" he can clearly recall the strenuous and hectic times of the sixties • when Hokitika and the Coast generally was , (the gold mining “Eldorado.” He first went to work for Messrs Perry and McLean and afterwards wae with Mr John Waller, timber merchant and sawmiller, and also worked with his father the late Mr Robert Ross. ' . y .... In 1880 he founded the business now known as 11. and W. Ross, being joined later by his brother, Mr W. Ross, and two years later married Mis® Annie Mitchell with whom he has spent the ,half-eentufy of mar-, ried life now so happily celebrated. We are only giving! expression to the sentiment of' a very large cirple of friends and acquaintenances 'when we .wish this worthy couple of old identities all future happiness and prosperity. • , •