Diamond Wedding.

Manawatu Herald, 13 August 1904, Page 3

Diamond Wedding.

MR AND MRS JAMES TAYLOR.

The diamond wedding of Mr and Mrs James Taylqr, of Tawa Flat, Wellington, was celebrated. on Wednesday, A.’agust xoth. A thanksgiving servicQ was held in the Primitive Methodist Church at 11.45 ajh. conducted by Mr J. Embury, of Wellington. The church was filled to its utmost capacity, and a vcry impi'Cssivc service was conducted. The Revs. Dmnbell, Cocker and Metsen took part, while the Rev. J. Dawson gave an interesting address. At 1 p.m. the party assembled at Maidstone House tq partake of a beautiful luncheon provided in a tent erected for this purpose. Mr Taylor was presented with an elegant arm-chair by triends ot the Primitive Methodist Church, of Wellington, as a small token of the esteem in which he is held by all. Several torUts were proposed and replied to by Messrs J. I’. Luke, W. Coltnian, R. Ayres, R. Mothes (Petone), Rev, J. Dumbell. Mr C. M. Luke acted as chairman. Mr Taylor suitably replied, stating hew pleased he was to meet so many of his old friends, and also at having his family present —six sons and six daughters and their children. The visitors from the city then left by train, and in the evening quite a numerous gathering of young people were seen enjoying themselves to their fullest extent.

BIOGRAPHY. James Taylor, Esq., J.P., farmer, Tawa Flat, born on the 17th August, 1823, at Tunbridge Wells, England, and educated in his native land. Mrs Taylor nee Rachael Hook, was born near Maidstone, Kent, on the 15th August, 1826, and came to the colony in the Coromandel in September, 1840. Mr Taylor came to Port Nicholson with fiis father, the late Mr William Taylor, in the Martha liidgway in November, 1840, and became one of the first settlers in Johnsonville in years later he removed to Pahautanui, where he started a small dairy farm, and in 1849 he became a pioneer settler in Tawa Flat, then a dense forest. The section Mr Taylqr acquired at that time is still in his possession, his farm consisting of 276 acres of freehold and 112 acres leasehold.

' In the early days Mr Taylor represented the Porirua District in the Wellington Provincial Council, and was for twelve years afterwards a member Of the Hutt County Council. Before the Council took over the Road Board he was a representative of Porirua Ward on the latter for many years since he has a® been a. Siember of the Tawa Plat School Committee, and of the Wellington ;Hospital Board. During the native troubles of 184647 Mr Taylor took his share as a military patriot, being on duty at Porirua and Taita. For fourteen years he was associated with the Volunteer move-ment-first as lieutenant of the Porirua Rifles, from August, 1863, to October, 1870, and now holds a captain’s certificate in the N.Z. Militia from xB6B. He was also captain of the Pahautanui Rifles from October 3rd, 1870, to March, 1877, and was appointed a J.P. in 1880. He acted as Postmaster of Tawa Flat for 25 years. Mr Taylor was married on August 10th, 1844, to Miss Rachael Hook, of Wellington, and they have now six sons and six daughters, who are all married and settled, with the exception of one son and one daughter, who are still living at home. Mr and Mrs Taylor have 70 grandchildren and 22 great-grand-children. He has also taken a deep interest m the religious life of the district. On his first Sunday at Tawa Flat he gathered together the few children then-living in the district, and formed a Sunday School, which has continued under his charge to the present time. During many of the intervening years Mr Taylor filled the position of Senior Circuit Steward and local preacher, and has been entrusted with the responsibilities of Missionary Treasurer for the Colony ; also Treasurer of the Jubilee Loap Fund, and is still Custodian of Connexional Deeds* Kir Taylor has proved himself a colonist of the best stamp, and throughout a long and useful life has been ably supported by his worthy wife. Their home has been open to all preachers, and all who have visited the district have the kindliest remembrance of their hospitality. They enjoy a hale, intelligent and happy old age, and still take the deepest m the welfare of the Church of their choice.