A NOTABLE CELEBRATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2321, 20 February 1892, Page 3

A NOTABLE CELEBRATION.

golden wedding. Yesterday the home of Mr and Mrs William Chapman, Temuka, was the scene of a gathering held to celebrate an event, not unique by any means, but still sufficiently rare as to cause for more than passing note. The event referred to was the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding day. For the occasion a large marquee was procured and floored, and in this tables weredaid to accommodate a large number of guests. At about half-past three all the guests who were not delayed by flood or other reasons had assembled, and the scene then presented was a very pretty one. At the head of the table was seated Mr Janies Chapman, the eldestjson, and upon his right were Mrs Chapman and the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, while Mrs Hamilton and Mr Chapman were seated at his left. Opposite them sat Mr Blyth (the chairman'of the Town Board) and at another table Mr Peter Coira presided, as being an old friend of the family. The members of the family represented were Mr and Mrs James Chapman, with S children ; Mr and Mrs W. Chapman with 10 children; Mr and Mrs J. Radford, witli 9 children ; Mr and Mrs N. C. Nicholas, with 7 children; Mr and Mrs F. Hooper, with 6 children; and Mr and Mrs E. Chapman, with 3 children ; Miss Chapman and Messrs ‘C. and T. Chapman, certainly a lengthy list of descendants. Several other members of the family were unable to be present. It is almost needless to say that tho children and grandchildren of the venerable yet still hale old couple had determined that everything should be of the best. The marquee was prettily decorated with evergreens, flowers, and flags, and the good things provided were examples of tasteful cooking. Among the visitors were Mr and Mrs Job Brown, Mr and Mrs Blyth, Mr and Mrs P. Coira, Mr J. M. Twomey, Dr J. S. Hayes, Mr and Mrs Gaze, Mrs Aulderton, Mr and Mrs Larcombe, Mr W. Storey, Mr H. Drew, Mr and Mrs Morris, and many others, while apologies were received from all who were unable to be present. After grace bad been sung, Mrs Chapman expressed the hope that her children and grandchildren might live together in unity all their lives, a wish heartily re-echoed by all present. After dinner the Rev. T. A. Hamilton, in a brief speech, referred to the happy circumstances under which they were assembled. There were many anniversaries celebrated, but it fell to few to celebrate their golden or jubilee wedding, the fiftieth anniversary of the memorable day when two leal hearts were united. In America it was tho custom to celebrate the fifth, tenth, twenty-fifth and other anniversaries, and it also occasionally happened that the “ diamond ” or GOth anniversary was celebrated. He trusted that that might be the fate of that worthy couple whose guests they were that day. They had entered upon colonial life when it took a good deal of confidence and faith in each other to keep the matrimonial wheels greased. Times were harder then, but now they ha(l surmounted their trials and were a living - negative to the question “ Is marriage a failure ?” They looked around and saw their children and grandchildren growing up in unity and all kindliness, and he had often thought as he passed along the street where so many of them lived that it ought to be called “ Harmony Road.” He was sure all would congratulate Mr and Mrs Chapman upon the happy event. “ At evening there shall bo light,” and in the natural order of things they would pass away, but they would enter then into the “ full light of the presence of the Redeemer.” Mr Hamilton then joined the hands of the old couple and invoked a blessing upon them. One of the little grandchildren at this stage took advantage of “ Grandmother’s second marriage” to snatch a kiss, a proceeding which caused some little amusement among the elders and possibly a little harmless jealousy among the younger ones. A large silver “ loving cup,” filled with champagne, was then passed round, Mr and M s Chapman having first partaken of it. A very pleasant hour followed, the biide-cake was discussed, and hearty congratulations passed to all and sundry of the family. The guests then took their departure, many of them, however, returning in the evening, when the younger members of the family entertained friends of their own age at a dance. Before the light faded a photograph of all the family assembled was taken by Mr McCaskey. The “happy pair ” received several little mementoes of the occasion from their friends,