Robert Stancombe 1886-18/11/1916.

Wedding Bells.

STANCOMBE-WHELAN.

A very pretty wedding was celebrated at Garston on Wednesday, 14th inst, when Mr Robert E. Stancombe, third son of Mr D. Stancombe, Athol, was united in the holy bands of matrimony with Miss Annie Whelan, second daughter of Mr T. Whelan of Kingston. The Rev. Father O'Donnell performed the ceremony, which took place at the residence of Mr & Mrs Alex McCaughan. The bride was given away by her father and.attended by Miss Bessie Lindon as bridesmaid, whilst Mr M. Whelan acted as groomsman. After the nuptial knot had been tied the wedding party adjourned to the residence of Mr and Mrs A. Burnett where a most delectable repast had been prepared. Later the happy couple left on their honeymoon, which was to be spent in the Western district and Dunedin. Mr and Mrs Stancombe, it should be mentioned, are exceedingly popular in the district, a happy fact which was amply testified to by the very large number of presents which they received. In the evening a dance was held in honor of the event in Mr McCaughan's barn. The music for this was supplied by Mr A. Challis (piano) and Soper Bros. and Mr D. Sutherland (violins), whilst Mr R. Muirhead made an efficient M.C. The supper was provided by Mrs A. Burnett and it was one that did her infinite credit. Our hearty congratulations.  -Lake Wakatip Mail, 20/6/1911.

ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES

— FATAL RAILWAY ACCIDENT. A fatal railway accident occurred at Parrawa on Saturday, the victim being a railway surfaceman named Robert Ewan Stancombe. From what could be gathered, the deceased, who resided at Athol, in accordance with the usual practice, had proceeded to Parrawa to receive his pay by the Kingston-Gore express train. When the train moved off the guard felt a jolt, and looking out on the side of the train furthest from the platform, saw a man lying across the rails. The train was at once pulled up, and it was found that the wheels had gone over the man’s neck almost severing the head from the body. How the accident occurred no one seems to know, as there seems to have been no other person on that side of the train at the time. Deceased, who was 31 years of age, leaves a widow and three children.   -Southland Times, 20/11/1916.

Athol Cemetery.