DIAMOND WEDDING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2078, 15 January 1920, Page 3

DIAMOND WEDDING.

CELEBRATED AT SANSON., A gathering which presented some unique features took place at Sandon on Christmas Day, when members. of the family of Mr and Mr.Thomas Harris, extending to the fourth generation, assembled at the parental home in order collectively to honour the aged heads of the household who were that day' celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding, which was solemnised in the Hull district on the eve of Christmas, 1859. The venerable couple, who have long since attained the allotted span of years, were the recipients of many, congratulatory messages and other tokens, signifying the respect that,has been so justly earned during a residence of nearly fifty years in the district. Of a family of eight sons and six daughters the records show' that all, s;avo one, survive. These, together .with their children and. grandchildren, represent a goodly number of respected citizens who in their turn have followed their parents’ example and become farmers, and after the arduous pioneer work have established homes in various parts of the country, principally in the Waimarino and Waikato districts. The recent disastrous war was responsible for the one and only death in the i. original family, when the youngest son, Allen, laid down his life on the battlefields of France while upholding his country's cause. Two grandchildren also made the supreme sacrifice while defending the Empire’s freedom. It is interesting to note that the whole of the family group have never been together at the same time save on one occasion ten years ago, when the fourteen members w6re present to celebrate their parents’ jubilee wedding. Oh Thursday last there were two absentees — Will and John —who form■' jt impossible, owing to ill heallb, to lea «’ their homes am' travel Eng (bs(a*iik! ibis pailie.-.iar lime. During A i.fir long residence in Sandon, ; ! .u* • md Mrs Harris have allracled lo Liieir home a very wide circle of friends who wish them every joy md 'happiness in their declining ■/cars. —R angit ilf e i Advocate.