GOLDEN WEDDING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 170, 24 December 1914, Page 8

GOLDEN WEDDING.

MR. AXD -MRS. ROBERT WELLS. The golden wedding of Jlr. and Mrs. Robert Wells was celebrated at their residence, Waitara Went, yesterday, when friends to tint number of over a Hundred gathered from all parts of the district to do them honor and prolfer their "congratulations. A large marquee was erected in the grounds, and here a sumpttiouH repast was served. -Mr. Wells was an olliwr in the forces (luring the stirring times of the Maori wars, and a pleasing feature of the function was the presence of quite a number of his old comrades. Colonel Kliis, V .1-), presided, and after t'.-.e loyal toast was honored he called upon the Rev. Dent, an old friend of the Wells family, to propose the health of the guests. Ibis tho rev. gentleman did ill appropriate and moving words. He bore testimony to their upright character, their benevolence, their high sense of duty, qualities which had earned for them til." affection and respect of all with whom they had during their long married life come in contact. lie pictured their wed. ding fifty years ago in New Plymouth, how they liatl set out in life with tho blessing 'of One who still watched and cared for and blessed them. The speaker believed that to-day the. (Almighty would say of this couple, "\A ell done, good and" faithful servants." lie touched upon the trials and difficulties Mr. and Mrs. Wells had bad to contend against during their long life, and of the way in •which they had triumphantly overcome tliem, and in the process how they had earned the respect and regard of all their neighbors. They deserved all the blessings'human hands and hearts could load upon them, and lie trusted they would live long to enjoy them. (Applause.) \ , Mr. Wells was visibly moved when In rose to speak. llb briefly alluded to hit fifty years of wedded life, contrasting the conditions that obtained then ir regard to almost everything, from bill lock-drays (which were their only means of locomotion) to the conditions of to day with the motor-cars, aeroplanes good roads, and the like. The change; had been truly many, and very marked Life had been interesting all the same and be was grateful he had been favorei in tho way he had been. He thankei tbem all very heartily for doing h!n the honor of being present that day. -Mi Wells sat down amidst the 'hearty cheer, of tiio assemblage, accompanied by i bugle salute, played by Bugler Walket tho veteran bugler. The Rer. Harrison proposed tli toast, "The Old Settlers, Men an< Women," showing that but for tliei: hard work and tough fighting the pre sent generation would not be enjoyinj the privileges, the advantages, the op portunitics, and the facilities that the; did enjoy. He could find no words to ade quately" express his regard for Mr. ani Mrs. Wells, whom he had known fo: somo time, but ho could say that tliei] spiritual beliefs were the secret of tliei] lives and of their success. Colonel Ellis responded. He had bcei in Taranaki for over fifty years. H< landed with the 43rd Regiment, wh'ici 'inmediatelv found work to do in till lOakura district. At that time thcr; >waa no safety outside the town of New 'Plymouth. i The next toast was that of 'llu Taranaki Veterans," which was pro posed by Mr. T. C. List, who referrec ■to the sterling spade work done by the veterans in the early days of the settle ruc-nt of the province, and 1 the great debt the younger generation, who were nov ''enjoying the fruits of iliis work, wji'c under to the brave and noble, but fast disappearing, warriors. Captain Mace (New Zealand Cross) briefly replied. They had certainly passed .through some stirring experiences, and really it was a wonder that any should be alive to tell the tale, but the men oi those, days took it as a matter of duty, and discharged that duty as well as they could. (Applause.) Songs were contributed by the Rev. J)ent and Mrs. T. C. List, and an ac. ceptable programme of music was discoursed by Mr Van Heck, assisted by Miss Mackay. The rest of an enjoyable afternoon was spent in chatting over old timeß. In ,the evening Mr. and Mrs. Wells were the recipients of a present of easy chairs from members of their family, and souvenirs from their old friends.