SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 459, 18 March 1909, Page 3

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

("Notices of Engagements and Weddings.— When reports of weddings and annotmce- ' ments of engagements aro sent to "Dominica" for publication, the name and 1 address of the sender should be enclosed, not for publication, but as an evidence of good faith. Otherwise tho announcements cannot be published.] St. Patrick's Day. In this modorn world, St. Patrick has ousted St. Valentine from his place as arbiter of a day of "marrying and giving in marriage," and whilo St. Valentine's Day passes practically - unnoticed, St. Patrick's Day results in a long list of weddings. The patron saint of Ireland very nearly had bad weather horo for his celebrations this year, but fortunately it cleared ; up sufficiently in the afternoon for all the weddings to pass off pleasantly, and with good omen. Wellington Weddings. Tho Rev. C.-Sims, the minister newly-ap-pointed to the Newtown Primitive Methodist Church, was married at the church in Donald M'Lean Street yesterday afternoon to Miss Gertrude Williams, of Beulah, New South ■Wales, who arrived from Australia last week. The. church was filled with members of the congregation and other friends, and the Rev. C. E. Ward officiated. The bride wore a handsome frock of cream silk and a bridal veil and wreath, and she carried a shower bouquet. Six bridesmaids attended her, the Misses Embury and Elsie Embury, Grace Luke, and' Grace Miller, who wore dainty frocks of cream silk eolienne, and white hats trimmed with white, wings and chiffon. They carried bouquets of pale pink and white sweet peas. The two little bridesmaids who acted as train-bearers, little Misses Jean Luke and B. Sims, wore palo bluo frocks, and coronets of palo blue chiffon. Dr. Brown was best man, and the three groomsmen were Messrs. Rigg, Frow, and Collier. After the ceremony a reception, attended by a large number of guests, was held in tho Masonic Hall, Daniel Street, where Mrs. Wills and Mrs. Embury acted as hostesses. Mrs. Wills wore a handsome frock of black ; silk, relieved with- white. chiffon and lace, and a black Merry Widow hat. Mrs. Embury wore a black brocade, and black toque, with touches of pink. , At St. Paul's Pro : Cathedral, yesterday afternoon, Miss Pearl Daniel, eldest daughter of Mr. E. T. Daniel, of this city, was married' to Mr.' Hector Nicolson, youngest son of Mrs. D. Nicolson, of, Wairarapa, the Rev. T. H. Sprott officiating. The bride wore a charming frock of white chiffon taffetas,', trimmed with .'oriental lace and. fringe,' and a bridal 'veil beautifully embroidered by - her mother. ' Her bridesmaids were Misses Eunice Nicolson (niece, of the Ivy. Ferguson,. Pauline Brown, and . Una Bright/ cousins of the bride. The elder bridesmaids wore dainty ■ frocks of white embroidered , muslin, with green Merry Widow hats, and' they carried green . bouquets, while the little maids wore frocks of pale blue silk, and carried crooks, to which were attached bouquets and streamers of-pale blue ribbon. Mr. R. V. King was best man, and Mr. C. Redmond groomsman. After tho ceremony a reception was held _at Spiller's Hall, and again 'in tho evening. Mrs. Daniel received her guests in a tailor-made costume, and black Merry Widow hat; Mrs. Nicolson wefro a frock of black chiffon taffetas and black and white bonnet; Mrs., C. M'Gill, green tailor-made and black picture' hat with white feather boa. ' At. St. Peter's Church yesterday afternoon, Ellen Irwin,' second daughter of Mrs. J. Irwin, was parried to Mr. Charles Halse, son of the late Mr. Chas. Halso. The Rev. G. P. Davys officiated, ancl Dr. . Kington Fyffe played' Mendelssohn's "Wedling March." The bride wore a charming Iress of cream satin, made with Court frain, and a bridal veil and wreath. Miss j Adelaide Irwin, sister of the bride, who ittended ker as chief bridesmaid, wore an Empire dress of white silk, richly trimmed with silk cord and. lace, and a black picture hat with,black iVelvet and ostrich feathers. The other two bridesmaids, Miss Halse, sister of the bridegroom, and Miss Anne Irwin, sister of tho bride, wore dresses of soft white silk,, and pretty white silk hats. The three Bridesmaids carried bouquets of pink and whito sweet peas and roses. The bride was given away by hor brother, Mr. Jas. Irwin; Mr. Radford acted as best man, and Mr. Garner as groomsman. After the ceremony a reception was held at Godber's in Cuba Street, where a large number of friends assembled. Mr. and Mrs. Halse are going for an extended trip to Australia, via Auckland. Wairarapa Weddings. At St. Patrick's Church yesterday morning (says our Masterton correspondent) the marriage of Miss Margaret T. Keary, of Masterton, and Mr. Francis W. Reynolds, of New South Wales, was celebrated by the Very Rev. Dean M'Kenna. The bride was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. James Fouhey, and _ was attended by Miss Nora Keary, her sister, as bridesmaid. Mr. J. Corbet was best man. A reception was held after tho ceremony at the residence of Mrs. Fouhoy, Villa Street. A wedding which attracted a great deal of local attention took place at St. Matthew's Church yesterday afternoon (writes our Masterton correspondent). The contracting parties were Mr. Francis Henry Townsend, of the staff of the Masterton police force, son of Mr. J. ;A. Townsend, Waikouaiti, Otago, and Miss Charlotte Ellen Wickens, daughter of Mr. Jas. Wickens, an old and highly-re-spected resident of this town. Mr. , P. Doyle, of Wellington, -was best man, and the bridesmaids wore Misses ■ C.' Townsend, Myrie Wickens, and Edie Russell, of Wellington. Mr. and Mrs. Townsend left by. the afternoon train for a 'month's trip to Dnnedin. Christchurch-Wellington Wedding. A wedding '■ of interest to a number of people, both in Christclnirch and Wellington, took place at the Jewish Synagogue at Christchuith yesterday, when Mr. Hubert Laus Davis Nathan, son of ■ Mr. Walter Nathan, of Wellington, was married to Miss Lizzie Louisson, eldest daughter of tlio Hon. Chas. Louisson, M.L.C. Tho ceremony was performed by the Rev. T. A. Bernstein. The bride wore a gown of cream oriental satin, trimmed with. honiton point lace, and a handsome honiton veil. ■ The bridesmaids were Miss Adele Marks, Miss Nellie Fisher, Miss Gladys Nathan, and Miss Zadio Nathan (sisters of tho brido); They wore charming frocks of white oriental satin, covered with point d'esprit net, with touches of cerise, and white hats with white feathers. They carried cerise shower bouquets. Tho bridegroom was attended by Messrs. Kathan (his brother), G, Tripe, W i'liis" - a-ud Dr. Louisson

(brothers of tho bride). Tho brido's gift to tho bridegroom took the form of a gpld watch, tho bridegroom's gift to the brido being a diamond pendant, made in tho design of a truo lover's knot. _ Tho bridegroom's gifts to tho bridesmaids wero chain bangles set with turquoises. At the conclusion of tho ceremony a reception was held at tho residenco of tho brido's parents, some 300 guests being present. Mrs. Louisson received in a frock of green oriental satin, handsomely trimmed with lace,_ and a black hat, with plumes. Mrs. Walter Nathan wore hcliotropo_ orjental ' satin, trimmod with -lace, a hcliotropo hat, with pink flowers. Mrs. Max Cohen (sister of the bride), bluo satin, trimmed with real lace,' palo bluo hat with plumes, and dia-mond-ornaments; Mrs. Hayman (aunt of tho bride), black chiffon taffeta, \ with touches of heliotrope, diamond ornaments, and large hcliotropo hat. Mrs. Maurice Harris wore a violet costume, and hat to match; Mrs. A. E. G. Rhodes, pale heliotrope dress, and largo plumed hat; Mrs. T. W. Stringer, amethyst chiffon velvet costume, • with large hat and muff; Mrs. Wigram, black and white costumo; Miss Humphreys, palo bluo frock; Miss Russell (Hawke's Bay), mauve costume; Mrs (Dr.) Gibson, pale grey; Mrs. (Dr.) Gerald Russell,' bluo costume, with black hat; Mrs. Keith Garrick, bluo and white striped costume, and black hat. Others among the guests were Mrs. Fitchott (Wellington), Mrs. Manning, Mrs. Molineaux, Mrs. C. Thomas, and Mrs. Stevenson. Mr. and Mrs. Nathan afterwards left for the wedding trip to Australia. New Ladies' Hookey Club. At a meeting held at theAesbytery Library, Boulcott Streot, on Tuesday night, it was decided to form a girls'hockoy club, under tho name of "Tho Celtics." About 25 members were present, and it was decided to enter two teams for tho third-class championship, and that tho colours, subject to tho approval of tho association, be dark skirts, hlue and whito striped blouses, emerald belts fold ties, and whito caps. The foillowing officers were elected: —President, Very Rev. Father Keogh; vice-presidents, Mesdame-s T. G. M'Carthy, Dwan, Rylands, and Mackin, Rev. Father Hickson, Sir J. G. Ward, Dr. Cahill, Messrs. M. O'Connor, A. H. Casey, and C. P. Skerrett; management committee, Misses Fama, Lawlor, Murphy, Breen, Ritson, Hoskings, and Mellsop; delegates to the association, Misses Fama and Mellsop; coach, Mr. Wrigley; secretary and treasurer, Miss Mellsop; selection committee, Misses Fama, Lawlor, and Murphy. Generous donations have been received from Mrs. R. O'Connor, Rev. Fathers Keogh and Hickson, and Mr. Martin Kennedy. Mr. Casey has promised a trophy to be competed for by club members. Church Presentations. Members of the congregation of Wesleyaa Methodist Church,, Nelson Street, Petone (writes our Hutt correspondent), met last evening to make presentations to Miss C. Fraser and Miss Mildred Oates. The Rev. R. Wilson presided, and a large number of ladies were ,present. Miss Fraser, who is to be married shortly, has been a teacher in the Sunday school for about seven years. [ Her fellow-teachers presented her with a milk jug and a sugarbasin with silver stand. Miss Oates leaves for England to-morrow week. Sho has been connected with the Bible Class' arid Christian Endeavour Society for tho past three years. Endeavourers gave her a gold C.E. brooch, to mark their appreciation of her services, and, on behalf of tho Biblo Class, Miss Godber presented Miss Oates with a smelling-salts bottle, silver-dipped. Musical-items were .contributed and games indulged in during the evening, an interval being allowed for refreshments. W.C.T.U. Convention. The public reception given yesterday afternoon in the Council Chambet - for the W.C.T.U. Convention was very largely attended. Between the various addresses, songs wero sung very charmingly by ,Mrs. Ti Tau and' Miss Muriel Bennett, and Mrs. Martin Williams gave a\ clover _ recitation. After the speeches had been delivered the meeting became a social, and fruits of all kinds were served to the guests. Mermaids. Two girl swimmers at the Te Aro baths yesterday, did something more than demonstrate the equality of the sexes in endurance. Frances Pethrick, of tho Clyde Quay School, and Olive Arthur, of St. Mary's Convent, while qualifying for proficiency certificates, each vswam a mile in uncommonly cold water, with a chill breeze blowing. Out of a large number of boys who swam, none covered more than a thousand yards, and several were incapacitated by cramp after swimming much shorter distances. The feat of the two girls was generally discredited, when it was reported to boys and men, who had experienced the temperature of the water, but their performances were vouched for by Mr. T. Shields, who watched the whole progress of their swims, and' gave both girls certificates for the mile distance. Imported. Maids. Tho question of importing domestic servants by means of a system of assisted immigration, is attracting widespread attention, and according to a Press Association message received from Christchurch, the committee of ladies appointed to deal with tho matter there has received many letters from all parts of the Dominion expressing sympathy with the scheme and offering assistance. A petition to Parliament has been drawn up, and it is hoped that in a short time canvassers will be distributed throughout New Zealand soliciting signaTho wives of mayors in all tho towns have been asked by the Christchurch ladies to call meetings to discuss thoir resolution concerning immigrant maids, and Nelson seems to have been the first town to respond. Mrs. Mules, wife of the Bishop of Nelson, presided over a meoting held thcre, when the Christchurch resolution was carried unanimously. It was decided to work in unison with the Christchurch ladies, and tho following committee was set up to arrange matters Mrs. Mules, president; Mrs. W. C Harley, secretary; and Mesdames Gibbs, Sclanders, Kempthorne, Glasgow, Baigont, Field, Bisle.v, Jackson, Lucas, and Miss Gascoigno, with power to add to their numb(?Mrs. Gibbs said that if the girls could be got from an institution where they had been properly trained it would be more desirable. A Farewell Evening. On Tuesday Mrs. Eiclielbaum gave a very pleasant evening as a farewell for Mrs. and Miss Hellaby, who left yesterday mornurg on their return to Auckland. Aniong the guests were Professor and Mrs. Picken, Profcssoi and Mrs. Adamson, Mrs. Climie, Mrs. and Miss Wylie, Miss Newman, Mrs. Isaacs, Mr. and Mrs. and Miss Focke. During the evening songs wero sung by Professor and Mrs. Picken and Miss Newman, and Miss Wylie rccited. A Farewell Tea. A large number of guests attended the "at home" given yesterday afternoon by Mrs. Maearthy as a farowoll for Mrs. Charles Izard, who leaves to-morrow on her trip to England. Tho rooms, were filled with flowers, and tho tea t-ablo charmingly decorated with bright pink sweet peas and maidenhair. During tho afternoon a band played in a room beyond the dining-room, and in anothor room fortunes were read in a mysterious manner. Mrs. Maearthy received in a frock of wine-coloured chiffon taffetas, draped with handsome Brussels lace, and trimmed with jewelled lace. Her sister, Mrs. Rutter, wore a frock of cream laco over white silk, with pretty gold belt, and Mrs. Izard a silver grey frock, and bluo hat, trimmed with blue and black plumes. Among tho many guests were Mrs. Findlay, Miss Eileen Ward, Mrs. Field, Mrs. Macdonald, Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Clay, Miss Prouse, Mrs. and Miss

Kane, Mrs; Wylie, Dr. Platts-Mills, Dr. Elizabeth Gunii, Mrs. Hales, Mrs. Richardson, Mrs. Bridson, Miss Ilubi Seddon, Mrs. Tringham, Mrs. J. Duthie, and Mrs. Isaacs. Miss Lucy Atkinson returned to Wellington yesterday, after an absence of two years, spout in England and Switzerland. Sho camo out to Australia by tho Malwa, and homo to Wellington by tho Marama. Miss Eileen Ward is giving a tea noxt Tuesday afternoon for Miss Rubi Seddon, who is going to England by the Athenic, with Dr. and Mrs. Morice, and, will probably bo away for twelve months.