DIAMOND WEDDING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1922, Page 6

DIAMOND WEDDING.

PAYNTER—MATTHEWS. Mr. and Mrs. William Paynter, of New Plymouth, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their wedding day yesterday; an event unique in the history of Taranaki. Mr. Paynter arrived at New Plymouth with his parents as a little child about 18 months old, by the Amelia Thompson, on September 3, 1841. Mrs. Paynter was born in New Plymouth, the child of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Matthews, who were also passengers by the Amelia Thompson. Both Mr. and Mrs. Paynter have lived practically the whole of their lives here. They were married on October 16, 1862, by the Rev. Robert Ward, and a great part of their married life was spent on their farm on the Junction Road, about six miles from town, from whence they retired to town a few years ago. They have a surviving family of five sons and three daughters, and there are also 30 grandchildren and six' great-grandchildren. Among other guests at yesterday’s family reunion were Mr. John Paynter, of Hastings, only brother of Mr. William Paynter. Mrs. John Paynter, ana Mrs. A. A. Ward, the only sister of Mrs. William Payner. Mr. and Mrs. Paynter, during their long life in Taranaki, have earned the esteem and respect of a very wide circle of friends, who will join in willing them still “many happy returns of the day.” Mr. and Mrs. Paynter were the recipients of numerous telegrams of congratulation from all parts of New Zealand.