Onehunga

New Zealand Tablet, 5 June 1913, Page 51

Onehunga

(From an occasional correspondent.)

May 25. On the 16th inst. the Catholic Tennis Club held another very successful euchre party in St. Mary’s Hall. The evening was fine, and a very large number attended. Mrs. Oates was successful in winning the lady’s prize, whilst Mr. Howard won the gentleman’s. Mr. Joseph Dempsey who, for some time past, has taken a keen interest in the Catholic Men’s Club, was recently transferred, on promotion, to the Hamilton Post Office. Mr. Dempsey was a representative on the parish committee of the Catholic Federation on behalf of the club, but now the vacancy has been filled by Mr. L. Drager. The celebration of the diamond wedding of Mr. and Mrs. James Nixon was held in St. Mary’s Hall on Friday, May 23. Sixty years ago, on May 24, 1853, Mr. Nixon and Catherine Broderick were united in the bonds of Matrimony. They were married by the late Father Cleary in the Church of the Assumption. Mr. Nixon was married at the early age of nineteen, whilst Mrs. Nixon was still younger, being only sixteen years. The family consisted of ten children, four boys and six girls, but only five of them survive. There are, •however, sixteen grandchildren and three great-grand-children. All the children entertained the old couple, and a large number of their friends, in St. Mary’s Hall. The Very Rev. Dean Mahoney and Rev. Father Golden were present. Mr. P. Nerheny acted as chairman. The gathering was a very enjoyable one. A very elaborate supper was served to some two hundred guests in the clubrooms. Mr. P. J. Nerheny proposed the toast of ‘ Mr. and Mrs. Nixon,’ and it was received with musical honors. Mr. Nixon, in responding to the toast, said it was the happiest day of his life, to think that he was there with his wife to receive the greeting of their many friends, after having lived happily together for sixtyyears. (Applause.) _ Mr. Nixon also made mention that he was apprenticed to a carpenter, but previous to that he was felling timber in the bush, and actually cut the timber of which St. Mary’s Hall is built.

The supper and lengthy speeches then ' came to a close and the wedding cake was cut up, a piece, of which was given to each person present. Mr. Nixon is still a staunch Hibernian, and it is the hope of their many friends that he and Mrs. Nixon may be spared for many years. \ \v