A MEMORABLE GATHERING

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 21 July 1920, Page 3

A MEMORABLE GATHERING

MR AND MRS SIMCOX’S GOLDEN WEDDING. Fifty years of married life is a very long period that is enjoyed by comparatively few, and when more than three-quarters of that time is spent in one district, the celebration of a gol- \ den wedding is naturally looked upon as an event of very great interest to j all. Therefore Mr and Mrs W. H. Simeox’» fiftieth wedding anniversary, i on Monday last, was not only a very j great event in the extensive family j circle, but was also an occasion of rejoicing to., the residents of Otaki and district among whom this worthy couple lmd so long lived such exemplary lives,. At the invitation of Mr and Mrs Siuieox and family a large number of people gathered at Brights’ Theatre on Monday night lust, to help celebrate the memorable occasion. Among those present was a sprinkling of visitors from outside the district, including a number of old family friends, while old settlers, in all stations of life, were prominent among the guests. The hall had been very beautifully, though simply, decorated, a prominent feature of the decorations being masses of goldeu wattle, goldeit nar- | cissi, native ferns, etc. The-,stage had j been laid out as it drawing-reom, card j tables, etc., being provided, and the hall presented a very cosy, comfortable appearance. Mr and Mrs Simeox received the guests, and received heartiest < congratulations from all. Most elaborate preparations had been made for the entertainment and comfort of the guests, the members of the family being untiring in their attention to all present, who were made to feel thoroughly at home, and it would have been a stoic indeed who did not yield to the intiuence of such a genial atmosphere, and join in the festivity with sincere heartiness. Dancing was indulged in under almost perfect conditions—a tip-top floor, excellent music by the Cook Orchestra, and a happy, homely company. A sumptuous supper. which reflected the greatest credit on the culinary abilities of those responsible, was served in the supperroom. the decorations of which were particularly artistic and beautiful. A large wedding-cake, occupied a prominent position on the table, which literally groaned beneath the weight of the good things provided. Towards the close of a delightful p evening the Rev. Petrie said they could not possibly allow such an occa’- ■ sion to pass without brief reference to Mr and Mrs Sirncox, whose golden wedding they were celebrating. He called on two representative old settlers — Messrs G. H. Harper and H. Freeman —to say a few words.

Mr Harper said all present wished to express their sincere good wishes to Mr and Mrs Simeox, who had had a wonderful record. They had liad many hard times, many trials and vicissitudes during their lengthy married life, but lie felt sure that they would now look back on those experiences with pleasure. Mr Harper said Mr aud Mrs Simeox had indeed set a splendid example to the whole district by thoip : noble life of usefulness. They had not indulged in ostentation or show, as they might have done, but had lived simple, homely, useful lives, which were such an important factor in building up the best life of a nation. The speaker concluded by extending to Mr and Mrs Simeox, oil behalf of all present, heartiest congratulations on tlieir golden wedding, and saying he trusted they would be spared to live for many years more to grace Otaki bv j their presence. j Mr H. Freeman, as an old settler who i had known Mr and Mrs Simeox for 1 some thirty years, expressed his great j pleasure at being present at such a j memorable function. He had been associated with Mr Simeox for a great j many vears on local bodies, and liad , always found him honest and straight-j forward, and anxious to do his verv . best in the interests of the district. Mr Freeman also paid a tribute to Mrs j Simeox, who, he said, had done many , a kindly action. In the early days, : before there was any medical officer j in the district, Mrs Simeox had done splendid work in nursing aud caring for the sick. No couple were held in such high esteem in the whole district, lie thought, as, Mr and Mrs Simeox. He trusted they would be spared to enjoy many more years of health and happiness.Mr W. Martin Simeox returned thanks on behalf of his mother and father, who. he said, were delighted to so many of their old friends assembled together to assist them to celebrate such a great event in their family history. The speaker said his father had passed through Otaki first in ISflfl. On that occasion he had passed the night at the old accommodation house then kept by Mr Dodds, sen. During the night a severe earthquake was experienced, and the chimney top came through the roof to his bedroom. Mr Simeox also related a few interesting incidents in the early history ot his parents, and said they had resided most happily in Otaki for the past forty-two years, during _ which time thev had made hosts ef friends, WJ^- e kindness they would never forget. He concluded by again thanking th speakers for their kind remarks, and all those assembled for -honour his mother and father that evening. . . Hearty cheers were then given t.y Mr anj'Mr* simeox- and the members of the family, followed by the singing of “Ati-ld Lang ’ During the evening songs were contributed ' by Miy R. M. D’Aih, >~- Evelyne Jones, and Mr Wallace D Ath. All of these items were greatly enjoyed and encored. The gathering will long be remembered as a mosr pleasing and memorable one. Yesterday afternoon a large number of children were entertained by Mr and

Mrs Simeox and family at Brights’ Theatre, when a right royal time was spent by all.