GOLDEN WEDDING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24423, 8 October 1940, Page 10

GOLDEN WEDDING

MR AND MRS JAMES GRAINGER A golden wedding of particular interest to Otago Peninsula and Taieri residents took place on Saturday, when Mr and Mrs James Grainger celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage, which was solemnised in St. Paul’s Cathedra] on October 3, 1890, the officiating clergyman being the late Archdeacon Edwards. There was a large gathering of relatives and friends at the breakfast, which was held in the afternoon in the Allanton Hall, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion.

Mr McArthur, who presided, proposed the toast of “The Bride and Bridegroom.” Mr Lawson Grainger responding on behalf of his’ parents. Mrs W, H. Hopkins, Miss McTaggart. and Mr W Anderson, old residents of the Otago Peninsula, also spoke to the toast. The toast of “The Best Man,” Mr Chris. Gwyn, a brother of the bride, who had travelled from Taranaki to be present, was proposed by Mr Lawson Grainger and responded to by Mr Gwyn. The toast of “Mr Eric Robertson.” a grandson, who is at present on service in Egypt and whose father served in the Great War, was enthusiastically honoured, an appropriate response being made by Mr J. Robertson, a younger brother. Several other toasts were honoured, and at the conclusion of the function the bride and bridegroom were piped out of the hall by two pipers. The function was concluded with a dance in the Allanton Hall in the evening, Mr Mason Grainger being master of ceremonies.

The large number of presents received by the bride and bridegroom testified to their widespread popularity. Mr and Mrs Grainger were born on the Otago Peninsula, where their parents were pioneer settlers. Mrs Grainger was a daughter of the late Mr J. Gwyn, of Broad Bay. and Mr Grainger’s birthplace was Anderson’s Bay. They have been connected with the farming industry for the greater part of their lives, first on the Peninsula and for the past 25 years in the Taieri district. Mr Grainger's only absences from New Zealand were on two occasions when he visited Melbourne.

It is worthy of note that every member of Mr and Mrs Grainger’s family —eight in all —were present at the celebrations, and also all the grandchildren to the number of 23, And in this connection, it may be mentioned that there has not been a single break in the family, including the grandchildren. Mr and Mrs Grainger have now entered on a well-earned rest, and have taken up their residence at Allanton.

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