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Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1942, Page 4

ST. CUTHBERT’S CHURCH HARVEST FESTIVAL. ("Times-Age” Special.) The harvest festival in connection with St. Cuthbert’s Church was held on Sunday. There was a large congregation. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers, fruit and vegetables by the ladies of the church. On the altar white and mauve hydrangeas were tastefully arranged. The Rev. G. E. Williams preached an impressive sermon. The fruit and vegetables were later forwarded to the Sedgley Home, Masterton. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS TWO WELL KNOWN RESIDENTS. Mr Thomas William Watts is celebrating his 85th birthday -today. He was born within the Sound of Bow Bells, London, on February 17, 1857. He came to New Zealand when 5 years old, landing in Lyttelton in 1862. His father arrived in 1856. He served his time as a blacksmith at Spring Creek, Blenheim, and later went to Wellington where he worked for some time at his trade for a Mr Madden. Mr Watts and a fellow tradesman looked after and shod •70 horses for the late Mr R. Somerville, a well known cab proprietor in Wellington. Besides, these they shod 50 horses for various people in business in Wellington. The wages were 8s per day. In 1881 during the depression Mr Watts received 4s 6d per day. He later took up land at Karori and delivered milk to Wellington. Mr Watts was at one time proprietor of the Empire Hotel, Christchurch, and the Post Office Hotel, Pahiatua. He again tried his Hand at farming and took up land at Hukanui, residing there for a number of years. He has now retired and has lived in Parkville for the last 13 years. He has a very good vegetable and flower garden. He married a Miss Sarah Goss, who is in her 82nd year. Her house is a model of neatness. There are three sons. Mr John Bray today is celebrating his 80th birthday. Born in Cornwall, England, in 1862, he arrived in New Zealand with his parents in January, 1874, in the Lady Jocelyn. There were 12 children. Mr Bray is in good health and spent most of his life in Canterbury in the McKenzie country. He is the father of Mrs W. Olsen, Newman Road. He spends his time making camouflage nets and winding the wool for the various Knitting Circles in the district.