KAITANGATA NEWS.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 44, 2 December 1913, Page 6

KAITANGATA NEWS.

FBOJt OUB OWN OOBBMPONDSHT. MARRIAGES. FLETCHER—BO YL AN. Quite a little more than the usual stir was noticeable in the town last Wednesday, the occasion being the celebration of'two marriages. Of these one took place in the Anglican Church, where Mr William Fletcher (Oamaru), son of Mr William Fletcher, of Waitapeka, was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Elizabeth Alice Boylan, daughter of Mr William A. Boylan, Kaitangata. The church and altar were beautifully decorated with flowers artistically arranged to produce a most pleasing effect. Miss Kirby officiated at the organ and rendered "The Wedding March"' and "The voice that breathed o'er Eden,'' while the Rev. Mr Stubbs tied the marriage knot. Miss Boylan, arrayed in a lovely silk taffeta dress with Oriental trimmings and the usual veil and orange blossoms, and carrying a bouquet of flowers, made a pretty bride, and was attended by Miss .lean Fletcher and little Olga Stewart, both of whom added to the occasion by their charming manner and dress. Mr Gray Somerville acted in the capacity of groomsman. After the marriage ceremony an adjournment was made to the hall, where about 50 guests sat down to the wedding breakfast, set out in Mr Harry Kirby's best style. Full justice was done to the various dishes and the usual toasts. The happy couple left, by the train for the north en route for their new home, leaving behind them, to be sent on, an extensive and varied display of presents in silver, electro-plate and glassware, cutlery, cheques, etc., together with a largo assortment of housedecorating and furnishing articles of value. A party was held in the evening in the hall.

ST EPH E XSOX—Mc L ASEX. The vicinity ot' the Wesleyau Church also presented a bright and animated appearance on Wednesday. The church itself proved all too small to accommodate the large gathering who were present to witness the marriage of Mr William Irvine -Stephenson and Miss Una .lane McLaren, eldest daughter of Mr John McLaren, Owaka. The church was prettily decorated with flowers and this, together with the pretty dresses of a large assembly of the fair sex, gave a very pleasing effect. Miss Cuthbertson officiated at the organ and rendered the "Wedding March, - ' while the congregation sang "The voice that breathed o'er Eden," giving an appropriate tone to the. business which Rev. W. Greenslade had before him. The bride, dressed in a lovely white silk, with silk insertion trimming, veil and the orthodox bridesblossom, was given away by her cousin, Mr Prince Bell, while Miss Maggie Stephenson made a pretty bridesmaid. Miss Mary Rowley and Master .laeky Gribben were favourably commented upon for the manner in which they carried out the duties of handmaid and page-boy respectively. After the marriage knot had been duly tied the guests sat down to the wedding breakfast, which was served in the Presbyterian Church Hall. Here the solemnity of the actual business in the church passed off and ail became life and gaiety, the happy young couple coining iu for the usual good-natured chaff from one and all. The usual toasts were given iu a happy manner and briefly responded to. Ju the evening a large party of guests gathered in the hall, where a merry time way spent in games and other forms of amusement. The happy couple went away the following morning to spend their honeymoon in Dunedin. Their popularity was (dearly shown by the numerous presents received by them, ami judging by the splendid display of these it will be some time before their new home will require replenishing with ornaments or articles which come in for cvervday use.

MINERS' UNION. At a general meeting of the Miners' Union held on Saturday evening Mr E. J. Howard's candidature for the position of deputy workers' representative on the Arbitration Court, received the , support of the- Union. The other candidates were Messrs Carey and A. K. Cooper. In reply to a letter sent by the Union, Mr Masscy (Prime Minister) wrote that the Government was doing its best to effect a settlement of the strike in the north. In aocordawc with notice of motion, it was moved that the weekly contributions to the Union funds be again fixed at sixpence per adult and threepence per youth under 18 years. The mover spoke at length upon the motion, and the mode of proceduro in the taking of a secret ballot also caused a good deal of discission. Several members contended that the ballot should be taken at the works where every member would have an opportunity of recording his vote, and also contended that the members ' present at the meeting (about twenty) did not constitute a representative gathering. However, the rules were strictly adhered to and the motion was carried,. The amended scale will come into operation on January Ist of next year. The 10 per cent, levy in support of the wives and children of those on strike at Huntly came in for a fair amount of criticism. Several of those present • present maintained that they would not pay another penny unless every member came up to the scratch and paid the levy. A list of those who have paid the levy showed that less than a third of the members are supporting it. From those who did contribute the sum of £sl Is Gd was obtained making Kaitangata's response to Huntly come to £lsl Is 6d. GENERAL. A good number of eases are set down for hearing at the next sitting of the magistrate's court on Thursday week.