GOLDEN WEDDING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1916, Page 4

GOLDEN WEDDING.

EGMONT ROAD COUPLE FETED. On August 14, 18C8, a wedding too* place in the chapel at Te- IJenui of two peonlo whose lives have since then been indissolnbly linked with the welfare and progress of Taranaki. The contracting parties were Mr. Aaron Mtrah and Miss Emma Coad, and the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage was fittingly celebrated at their residence, Egmont Road, last Tuesday evening. The festivities eair.e as a surprise to. the hale and happy old couple,, who had no ijoa. that any celebration of the event was looming. Therefore when the selfappointed party, consisting of Messrs J. B. Marsh, E. T. Marah, L. A. Marih, H. E. Afarsh. and A. 0. H. Marsh (sons), with their sisters, Mrs. E. pole (Tlko. rangi), Mrs E. C. Cole and Mrs. A. Locke, five daughters-in-law, and spns-in-law, Mrs. Furlong (sister of Mrs. v Marsh), Mrs. J. S. Connett (niwg),«Mr. Connett jpd Miss Connett walked into the house, the "many happy return! of the day" with -which Mr. and Mr*. Marah, senr,, were greeted were expressive of genuine love and esteem.

A very bountiful repast, conspicuous on the table ■ being a beautifully decorated wedding rake, the confection of Messrs. Lealand 8r05,.. was nrovided I-;, the family, and was done full justice to, and during its course, Mr, Connett' feelingly .referred to the splendid, example Mr. and Mrs. Marsh had selj they had had trying exneriences, hut !i"d surmounted them all. Mr. and Mrs. Marsh, were always ready to help and do anyone a good" -turn, and they were held in the highest esteem by tha whole countryside.

1 Mr. J. R. Hill said that it was a privl- ; i 'ge and an honor for him to bo present, ar d he endorsed all that Mr. Gonnett had said. Ho (Mr. Hill) had known Mr. and Mrs. Marsh ever sines he was * I'oungstei, and he knew from personal experience what valuable, sympathetic, . and helpful friends they weic. Stout hearts, and keen determination were necessary to tide over difficulties bf the old days, when Mr. and Mr*. Marsh tame to the district. There were no *' M.etallcd roads, no gigs or,motor-cars—-i"thing, in fact, but bush and mudhut their old friends had overcome all obstacles, and were settlers any community could be proud of. Some 17 on 1 S years ago, Mr. Marsh, while oiling a, horse-power threshing" machine, had "his rght hand so badly cut that it had to be amputated, but' even this disability! bad not deterred him in his work as a, good old pioneer. Mr. Hill then proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Marsh, expressing the hope that thcyi ivonld enjoy many more years of good health and increasing prosperity. Mr. Marsh, who was visibly overcome dv the wnrmtb of tho gathering and the kind words of the two speakers, made ai Vrief reply. v On behalf of the children and grandchildren, Mr J. B. Marsh, as the eldest i.f the family, then presented bin parents v.'ith n practical token, of love audi isteem. Mr. J. S. Connett proposed the health if the Marsh family, Mr. J. B. Marea, v . ;n responding, acknowledging the good advice and influence that he and hid brothers and' sisters bad received froi™ 'heir parents, Songs, cards, etc., were indulged to miring the evening, and the gitocrlnt dispersed kfter, MStoa., very .tin!*' », .i. •