WEDDING BELLS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 39, 11 January 1944, Page 5

WEDDING BELLS

KURCHER

TAPSELL

A wedding of unusual interest was celebrated in the Maketu Roman Catholic Church on :h'd January by the; Rev. Father Zanna. of Matala, Avith Nuptial Mass. The bride was Miss Eva Tapse.ll, eldest daughter of Mr G. Tapsell, and the bridegroom was Mr Louis. Kurcher. of Hastings. The church had been tastefully decorated with pastel toned gladioli for the occasion and some 40 or ")0 friends attended the ]S T uptk|l Mass Avhic.lT followed the Avedding ceremony. The bride. Avho looked charming in a plain cut sathi gown Avith a long lace veil surmounted by a coronet of. lilies of the valley. She carried a sheaf of white St.. Joseph lilies and entered the church on the arm of her uncle, Mr Iv. Tapsell, being attended; by Miss Itvy Hayward, cousin of the bride, dressed in Avhite and also carrying a large sheaf of gladioli in apricot tonings. The best man was Mr Ray Ihaka. After the, wedding a breakfast was held, in the. Maketu dining mom and about 80 people sat down to it. The tables were very tastefully de-! coratcd with more gladioli and the hall itself was- turned into a j.'OAver with greenery and hydrangeas. Despite the holiday and difficulties over rationing, shortage of crockery, etc., the bride's family, put on a really magnificent wedding breakfast of cold meats and salads, trifles, jellies and an abundance of. dainty cakes and drinks.

Mrs W. E, Singleton, assisted by M-rs B. Newdick, received the gur'ts among whom were Mr and Mrs 11. A. Ringer, Mrs Collier. Miss Sheila Singleton, Mr W. E. Singleton, Mr and Mrs Kitchener (Rotorua), Miami Mrs Smith (Canada), Mrs Best (Rotorua), Mr and Mrs E. Butt (Rotorua), Mrs J. O'Shannessey. Mr Kouma Tapsell was toastmaster and after the health of the bride and groom were drunk, the bridegroom suitably replying, Mr Ringer wished the bride the . best of luck, .saying she was one of the most popular girls in the district and it gratified him very much to see so many friends and well-wishers gathered together to give Eva such a send off. He congratulated the gridegroom also on his choice and hoped they would be very happy in their home in Hastings. Father Zanna spoke in similar vein and also added, many touches of humour to the occasion, particularly when he sang a little toast in Dutch.

Another interesting note was added to the speeches and toasts when Mr Smith, of Canada, spoke. He 1 said it was the first time' he had attended .such an interesting ceremony. He was more especially interested as he h'imself had North American Indian blood in his descent. The happy intermingling of Maori and pakcha., both at the church ceremony and at the breakfast, impressed ihim'very much and it was a memory lie. would take back with him. Several Maori songs were .sung during the least and at the eonelusion "Po Atua llau" Avas sung with feeling by everybody present. The bride ay as the recipient ol' many beautiful and useful gifts. The happy couple left later for a honeymoon in Christchurch, the j bride tiavelling in lime-green ensemble.