Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 45, September 2001
Long time members of the Paeroa & District Historical Society, Vic and Leila Alley, celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary on 17 April 2001.
Leila and Vic Alley reminisce as they look through a photograph album (Hauraki Herald photo).
Vic and Leila Alley - Diamond Wedding
Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 45, September 2001
Both Vic (Victor) and Leila's families were early settlers in the Hikutaia district. Vic was the son of William and Pauline (nee Adolph) Alley and Leila, the daughter of Allen and Elizabeth (nee McRobert) Gubb. The family farm, originally settled by Henry Alley and his wife, (Vic's Grandparents) was named "Taradale" in memory of their home in Ireland and the English dales, their original birth places.
Vic and Leila set their wedding date for 17 April 1941 and then discovered that Vic had been called up to serve his country and that was the day that he was to enter camp. They were successful in getting a three-month deferment and the wedding went ahead, as planned, at the Paeroa Methodist Church.
The Alleys had two sons and a daughter and now have eight grandchildren and six great-grandsons. Working life for them was the family dairy and beef farm at Hikutaia. They moved to Paeroa twenty-two years ago and a love of sport has filled much of their time, together with the giving of time to voluntary organisations. They are active members of the Paeroa Co-operating Church and also of the Paeroa & District Historical Society, where Leila is a willing and tireless worker. They have also enjoyed a number of overseas trips.
The family farm is now farmed by their son, Allen.
EDITOR'S NOTE : For further information about the Alley family and early settlers of the Hikutaia district, see the article "Early Hikutaia Settlement" by Tui Murdoch at page 12, Journal No. 15, June 1971.