AFTER FIFTY YEARS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 29, 27 April 1927, Page 5

AFTER FIFTY YEARS

MR. & MRS. J. T. STEMBRIDGE CELEBRATE GOLDEN WEDDING Recently, at their home in Queen Street, Pukekohe, Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Stembridge celebrated their golden wedding, when 46 out of 48 of their descendants were present. These included five daughters, four sons, wir.h their wives and husbands, and 28 grandchildren. The marriage took place at Chard, Somerset, England, on April 7, 1877, and they arrived in New Zealand in 1888 with a family of five children. At the golden wedding, Mr. J. Patterson proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs. Stembridge and referred to many incidents in Mr. Stembridge’s busy life. Several other friends also spoke of the good qualities for which Mr. and Mrs. Stembridge had always been noted. Mr. F. W. Stembridge, the

eldest son, on behalf of the family, presented his mother with a purse of sovereigns, the purse being suitably inscribed, and his father with a gold albert and pendant, also inscribed. Mr. Stembridge has led a particularly active life and has taken a big part in local body affairs. He began farming at Hunua after arriving in New Zealand, and then opened a general store there. He was secretary or chairman of the Hunua Road Board and the school committee from 18S9 until he left the district. The fact that Papakura has a water supply is due to Mr. Stembridge’s efforts. He was also responsible for the division of the Manukau County into the present Manukau and Franklin Counties. Later he was appointed the first clerk of the Franklin County, a position he held for about two years. On his resignation from this position he began business as an auctioneer, which in 1920 was formed into the Franklin Farmers’ Auctioneering Co. Ltd., Mr. Stembridge being appointed manager.

Among the many public positions Mr. Stembridge has held are: Justice of the Peace, a member of the Franklin Licensing Committee, and a member of the Pukekohe Borough Council. He was the first member to be initiated into the Masonic Lodge at Papakura. He has had a wonderful career, and is one of the most popular men ever to have lived in the district.