GOLDEN WEDDING

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3275, 14 June 1943, Page 8

GOLDEN WEDDING

PIONEERS OF THE PLAINS MR AND MRS J. C. MILLER FUNCTION HELD AT TURUA The Turua Hall was the scene of an animated gathering of relatives and friends on Monday, May 31, to celebrate the golden wedding of Mr and Mrs J. C. (Cam) Miller, now of Thames but formerly of Kopuarahi. Prior to living at Kopuarahi Mr and Mrs Miller were well known and popular residents of Maungakaramea, North Auckland. The hall and stage were tastefully decorated in old gold streamers and symbols of the occasion.

Mr and Mrs Miller* were-enthusias-tically greeted as they entered the hall, preceded by Piper Alan Lloyd, of Tauranga, who wore the full Highland costume. Dancing, to excellent music supplied by the Melody Makers of Paeroa, was indulged in, interspersed with musical and dancing items. Extras played by Mrs T. Clark and Mr A. Whitehead were much appreciated. First County Chairman

After the guests had been briefly welcomed by Mr J. C. Miller, junr., (the eldest son of the couple), Mr C. W. Parfitt ,chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council, heartily congratulated Mr and Mrs Miller on having attained 50' years of married life.

He spoke in glowing terms of the high esteem in which Mr and Mrs Miller were held wherever they were known. Mr Miller* had been the first chairman of the Hauraki Plains County Council, when there were only mud roads and due to the progressive policy which he had adopted the council had attended to the metalling of same. He was the prime mover in the erection of the Kopu bridge, which structure could be looked on as a monument to his labour in that respect.

In conclusion, Mr Parfitt thanked the Miller family for their kind invitation to be present at such a happy occasion. ' Gifts From the District

Mr L. S. Jones, of Kopuarahi, and also a former resident of Maungakaramea, asked Mr and Mrs Miller to accept the gift of a pretty golden bedspread from the residents of Kopuarahi. He spoke of the wonderful qualities of Mr and Mrs Miller and asked them to accept the . many lovely presents from friends and relatives who were present at the function.

Mr H. H. Hicks, in presenting Mr and Mrs Miller with a wallet from the Turua residents, wished them good health. He spoke of the love and respect with which they were held, saying that they were a model pair with a happy and successful family. Early Days on Plains He had known Mr Miller when he was first elected to the council and in those days drove around in a gig. Mr Miller, responding, said that after all the nice remarks he felt it hard to express thanks. He added it had been a great day for them both, and their family was responsible for the evening and dinner. He thanked everyone for their kind wishes and presents, and the wallet which he would make good use of as he would give it to “Mum” (loud applause). Mr Miller related many humorous incidents in his life.

There had been, he said, six couples from Maungakaramea who had celebrated their golden weddings and he thought this must be a record for so small a place. On behalf of Mrs Miller and himself he thanked everyone for coming along with the spirit of goodwill and making it such a grand evening. Dancing was enjoyed until the wee sma’ hours and was brought to a close with the singing of Auld Lang Syne. Items Rendered Items were rendered by the following:— • Songs, Master Maurice Nicholson, “Wings of Song” and “Beautiful Dreamer”; sword dance, Misses Bev erley . Miller and Alison Christie, songs, Mrs E. A. Clark, “Love’s Old ■Sweet Song” and “An Emblem”; songs, Mrs C. K. Fox, “In the Garden of My Heart” and “Mother Machree”; duet, Mesdames Clark and Fox, “A Perfect Day”; songs, Mr J. Smith, “Hymns of the Old Church Choir” and “Town In Old County Down”; Irish jig, Misses Beverley Miller and Alison Christie.

The duties of M.C. were shared by sons-in-law of the ."honoured cuuple, and an excellent supper was dispensed by the hostesses and helpers.

The general opinion of those present was that this was the most successful function of its kind ever to have been held in Turua, and the very large attendance was a sincere • tri-

bute to the respect in which Mr and Mrs Miller and their family are held.

Among The Guests Among the guests were: Mesdames J. C.. Miller, black silk velvet with gold trimmings; J. Miller, black and white crepe satin; Harrison, black and white ensemble; A. Miller, 'black satin with sequin coatee; J. Flynn, black taffeta, white coatee; J.. Miller, junr., flame silk velvet; J. Marceau, floral georgette; K. Fox, red lacquered lace; Cook, figured taffeta; Nicholson, black embroidered silk crepe; L. Pratt, white organdie; A. Flynn, black ‘crepe with gold medalion; Morfette, black sheer; Bun Miller, French crepe in navy and white; Mac. Miller, black silk net; Finlayson, black satin; A. Thompson, blue silk crepe.

Misses P. Marceau, pink organdie; F. Miller, pastel green organdie; G. Fox, striped sheer; D. Cook, blue taffeta; M .Flynn, blue taffeta; L. Cook, daffodil net; 0. French, red wool crepe; Mora Finlayson, blue taffeta. Others present were Mesdames Nankivell (Thames), J. Motion (Ngatea, C. Parfitt (Pipiroa), Sydenham (Ngatea) R. McCollough (Patetonga) ,S. Appleby, A. McCollough (Whangarei), Nicholson (Whitianga), R. Laird (Auckland), Currie, P. Henry, Davies (Kopu), H. Hill, C. Scott, A. Sutton, T. O’Carroll, L. James, Baxter (Ngatea), P. Murphy, F. Gray, S. Workman, R. Flynn, J. Gray, H. Bowen, J. Bowen, Harwood, T. Crawford, J. Mearns, J. Pye, A. Fisher, junr., Burt, W. Clark, G. Knapp (Paeroa), S. Grundy (Paeroa), Eldvidge (Paeroa), L. Henwood (Paeroa), W. Christie, W. Dickson, N. Green, E. O’Carroll, J. Law, Bithell, senr., H. Bithell, J. E. Green, J. Mules, Strong, R. Green, A. Courtney, McKenzie, W. Johnston, Drent, Dagger, N. Mitchell, R. Hewson, F. L. Hamilton, W. Maunder, J. Thrupp, T. Lowe, F. Clark, A. Whitehead. Mesdames Troughton, Wheeler (Ngatea), J. Kerby, D. Death, T. Flynn (Thames), Arthur (Thames), A. Hayes (Kerepeehi), C. Robertson, Schmidt, ’ senr., L. .Schmidt, Glasgow, J. Smith, N. Nicholson, R. Henwood, W. McCoid, Boyd, J. Stewart, P. Watene.

Misses F. and M. James, R. Law, J. Sydenham, M .Motion, J. More, D. Mules, M. Henry, P. Thrupp, R. Tapp, C. Green, E. Hicks, M. Kerby, T. Boyd, N. and D. Hill, 0. Scott, N. 0. Carroll, N. Green, E. Aberhart, E. Elvin, M. Elvin,. I .and N. Death, D. Griffiths. D. Day, A. and M. Kelson, N. and A. Laverick, M. Winder (Paeroa), J. McKenzie, J. Flynn.

BREAKFAST IN THAMES

OVER 100 PEOPLE ATTEND

Earlier in the day a breakfast was held in the Masonic Hall, Thames, when over 100 relatives and friends attended from all parts of New Zealand.

Mi* Tom O’Carroll, senr., a lifelong friend of Mr and Mrs Miller, was the master of ceremonies. There were 60 telegrams received and read out.

The guests present included the following: Mr and Mrs J. C. Miller, Mr and Mrs Jim Miller, Mr and Mrs John Miller, Mr Tom O’£arroll, senr., Mr Barry Miller (Maungakaramea), Mrs A. Miller (Mt. Albert), Mrs Harrison (Maungakaramea), j&fr H. Snell (Whangarei), Mr and Mrs J. Flynn, Mr and Mrs J. Marceau, Mr and Mrs K. Fox, Mr and Mrs Cook, Mr and Mrs French (Dargaville), Mr and Mrs C. Nicholson, Mr and Mrs Morfette (Kaikohe), Mr and Mrs Bun Miller, Mr and Mrs M. Miller, Mrs Bain Finlayson (Mangapai), Mr and Mrs' A. Flynn (Auckland), Mrs L. Pratt, Mr and Mrs A. Thompson (Mangapai), Mr and Mrs F. McCollough, Mr and Mrs Roy McCollough (Pate tonga), Mr and Mrs G.

Courtney, Mr and Mrs A. Courtney, Mr and Mrs Jack Crawford (Maungakaramea), Mr and Mrs Gillingham (Walton), Mr Alf Crawford (Walton), Mr A. Crawford (Maungakaramea), Mr Tom Crawford mea)j Mr W. Nash, Rev. and Currie (Birkenhead), Rev. Mr W. Codlin (Whangarei), Mrs D. O’Carroll, Mr and Mrs T. O’Carroll, Mr and Mrs N. Green, Mr and Mrs L. James, Mr and Mrs S. Appleby (Patetonga), Mr and Mrs Nicholson (Whitianga), Mr and Mrs Nankivell, Mrs Hewitt, Mr J. Sloane, Mrs McCollough (Whangarei). Misses P. Marceau, F. Miller, G. Fox, D. Cook, M. Fynn, L. Cook, 0. French (Dargaville), J. More, M. Finlayson (Mangapai), Hewitt, Maurine Flynn, G. Miller.

Masters D. Miller, A. Flynn, C. Marceau, B. Fox, G. G. Miller, M. Nicholson, L. Marceau, W. French, N. Fox, E. Nicholson, and Mr A. Lloyd (Tauranga).