REDWOOD'S VALLEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 24 July 1929, Page 6

REDWOOD'S VALLEY

GOLDEN WEDDING M.R \NO MRS HENRY SCHVVASS PRESENTATION i-TIOM RESIDENTS Something unique for Redwood's Valley was the celebration on Saturday last ol the 50th anniversary of the wedding of Air and .Mrs Henry Schwass. In the afternoon a re-union of relatives and friends of Mr and Mrs Schwass was arranged by Mr and Mrs Leu Schwass ill their residence. A short service suitable to the occasion was conducted by the Rev. Mr .Vitus. Lutheran minister at Upper Montere, at the conclusion of which the guests sat down to an inviting table arrayed with appetising dish e» prepared by Mrs Leu Schwass. Al this stage of the proceedings a surprise was sprung on the old couple. Several residents entered, and t/n behalf of the district presented to Mrs Schwass a very line eiderdown quill, and to Mr Schwass ;i case of pipes, accompanied by a quantity ol his lav ourite "weed." In making the presentation Mr .1. I-. Brown said that the residents could not allow the occasion to pass without, showing in some way the very high esteem in which Mr and Mrs Schwass were held. He said that everybody had had assistance from them at some time, ami many were the calls on "old Harry's"' blacksmith shop during the busy seasons. In the days before the motor lorry their fruit had been carted out by Mr "Schwass and his sons over almost 'impossible roads, and whero it had been, possible for horses to go they went. Mr C. Bright and Mr H. Ralfe added to Mr Brown's remarks. Mr Bright said that the. pipes that had just been presented to Mr Schwass reminded him of a day some 30 years ago, when Mr Schwass" was assisting him with harvesting. On this particular day, soon after they had commenced cutting, Mr Schwass discovered that in some way ho bad become, separated from his pipe, and all efforts to recover it failed. Work proceeded again, but the loss of the pipe was being felt considerably. "Bring me a spud!" was the sudden command. The "spud" was brought, whereupon "Old Harry" scooped out the inside, and after inserting a straw, filled up, and all was well. The smile on Mr Schwass's face when the story was related showed that he. remembered the incident. Mr Schwass thanked the residents for their kindly thought, and said that they were always glad to help in any way they could. Mr and Mrs Schwass have spent almost their whole lives in or near Redwood's Valley. Mrs Schwass was born in Ranzan in 1858 and Mr Schwass at Appleby in 1852. They were married in the Ranzau church by the Rev. Mr Myer and have since 'then resided in Redwood's Valley. Prior to his marriage Mr Schwass was for eleven years employed at Kerr's lake station as a waggon driver, and he can relate many interesting experiences which occurred during those days in the back country. The old couple'still enjoy good health and have recently returned from a well-earned holidav.