MR AND MRS OKEY'S GOLDEN WEDDING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 159, 9 July 1903, Page 2

MR AND MRS OKEY'S GOLDEN WEDDING.

A MEMORABLE GATHERING. Thb interior of WhUeley Hall on Tuesday presented an unwonted aspect, but oae in perfect keeping with the rare and uo'que event which was celebrated. It was Mr and Mrs Edward Okey's go'den wedding day, and the members of th« fam ly, knowing how large a circle of friends would wish to ■ ffer th' ir congratulations to the revjred couple, hai wisely requisitioned the Hall f;r tho oecision. The inferior cf the build'ng had bsen suitably decorated, thore being a perfect blaza of golde.i col >ured flowers, both nitural and artifi i<l. Whrn the first portion of the guests arrived »t the afternoon reception the scone became v- ry sti iking, as tho m-j jruy of theoa wore tjolden yellow flowers and fern sprays. It was a plm-ing sight, the genial smiles ot all present. betokening the hrppiness of the gathering, while even j the sun itself seemed to bathe the scene in a flood of golden glory. Naturally Mr and Mrs Ok<?y were the centre of attraction, and the aonuine heartiness and sincerity of the good wishes and congratulations they receive! must have Banvinced them of the high esteem and veneration in which they were held, and that their long career of s(ool and us.ful work had gained for them the goodwill of their neighbours. Both looked supremely happy in that quiet way, which betokened thit they possessed that true happiness emanating from the highest source. Moreover, in looking bick over the pas', ha'f century of weddfd life, they had good c\use for gratification at tho exceptional blessings received, for their, family of four sons and two daughters were all living, were all married, and except in one case, all their children (25) were alive. Bush a record muat be rare, and may well be a source of pride and thankfulness.

During the afternoon Mrs Doughs, president l , cn bahalf of tha Womans' Christian Temperance Union, presented Mrs Okey with a very cho : ce *od appropriately chosen bnuqet, and conveyed to the recip : eiit the hqarty CDngra'ulations and good wishes of the membra of the TJnioD, of which Mrs Okey had been a warm tupparter from the time of its inception^ Another pleasing feature was the presentation to Mr and Mrs Ok.-y, by the Rev. W. Oannell, on behalf of n few personal friends, of a very handsome mat b'e clock, with richly chased autumns, and bearing a suitable inscription on a gold plate. In miking the presentation, the Rsv. Oannell spoks vary feelingly of the way in which Mr and Mrs Okey hid endeared themselves to all who knew theao, and the great pleasure and privilege it wae to their friends to accompany theii good wishes with a slight memento oi their esteem and regard. The Rev. J". N. Butth also brit fly addressed a few * words of congratulation to Mr and Mrs Okey on attaining the fiftieth year of their weddin?, and wished them a ontinu.d life of happiafss acd ustfulness. Congratulatory letters were read from Mr G. H. White, on behalf of the choir of Whiteley Church, Revs. Frank W. Isiit, P. W. Fairclougb, 0. H Garland, S. S. Serpe'l, W. Beck and others, nnd many t-lpgiams were received from various parts of the colony, and one from Sydney. Afcerncon tea was provided for the gws's on a most "liberal scale, and the enormous wedding cake made for the occasion duly cut and passed round, In tha evening there was a very Urge gathoring at the hall, and a most enjoyable time was spsnt. There was a great variety of amus°ui3nts provided, including tableaux representing tin of books, the titles of «hich had to be guessed. At 10 o'clock all present sit dawn to a supper which was in every way worthy of the occasion, tha tables being laden with good thiegs, the disposal of wh : ch was accompanied by a constant flow of lively conversion. Before separating Mr J. U George, on behalf of all present, congratulated "Father" and Mrs Okey on 'he celebration of their goldea wedding, and wished them many happy returns of tha day. He alluded to Mr Okey's loag connection with the Sunday school (over 40 years), to the noble example (hey bad set, and to the veneration and esteem in which they were held. Mr W, H. Skinner, as superintendent of St, Mary's Sunday School, conveyed the congratulations of bis scholars and ta'.chers to Mr and Mrs Okey. The memorable proceedings were brought to a clcsie by singing "Aull Lang Syne," and after a parting greeting with tha happy couple the large party I of friends disp?raodi I Messrs E. N. L. Okey, H. Okey, and F. Okey were most assiduous in welcoming and entertaining the guests, as were also other members of the family. It will be a long time before the m m- j ory of tbis golden weJding will fa-1p! f om the minds of those present, and it may truly be said that a happier or j more pleasing gathering is not likely] to take place in this district.