SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1619, 10 December 1912, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Wedding of the Chief Scout.

To Boy Scouts all over the world, writes the London correspondent of the "Sydney Daily Telegraph" of November 1, great interest will be taken in the account of the wedding 1 of the Chief Scout, Lieuten-ant-General, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, with Miss Olavo St. Clair Soames, daughter of Mr. and Mts. Harold Soames, of Gray Rigg, which was quietly solemnised on October 30 at St. Peter s Church; Parkstone. As the event was only known to the chief relatives, not more than 20 persons were present in the church when the ceremony took place. The romantic meeting of the Chief Scout and his bride whilst journeying to the West Indies naturally excited keen interest. The Ilev. E. R. Adderley, vicar of the parish, was the officiating- clerygman, and was assisted by the Rev. Canon Inman. The service was of a very simple character, no music being rendered. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a graceful gown of faint blue crepe de chino, with long coat en suito, and hat- with the same coloured ostrich plumes. Among the few friends who witnessed the ceremony were: Major Baden-Powell (brother) and Miss Agness Baden-Powell (sister of the bridegroom), General Kekewich, Mr. A. C. Soames (the bride's brother), Mrs. H. Soames (the bride's mother) and Mr. Davvidson. At the conclusion of tho ceremony Sir Robert and Lady Baden-Powell loft in a motor-car for Bournemouth, en route for London. The bridegroom's present to the bride, who is a fully-quali-fied Scout, was a glove-box beautifully executed in Mcorish leather, dyed in red, gold, blue, and black. In the centre of the cover is a silver wolf worked inpure silver-leaf, and surrounded by intertwined gold and green official ribbon. An inscription on the Tight half of the box reads:—"Presented to Miss Soames by the Chief Scout for services rendered to the movement." On the left side is a Boy Scout sitting at ease on his staff, and a Sea Scout sitting at ease on an oar. The badges of proficiency which Miss. Soames had qualified for are shown in two rows of eight, and are replicas of real badges carried out in miniature. Every stroke of the artist's brush had to be applied by tho aid of a microscope.

Reception in the Seamen's Institute. Yesterday afternoon Mrs. F. M. B. Fisher was the hostess at a reception held in tho Seamen's Mission Hall for his Excellency Admiral Sir George King-Hall. The appearanoe of, the. interior of the institute had been transformed with quantities of flags, foliage, and palms, while little flower-decked tables added a decorative note' to the hall, which had been furnished drawingroom-wise. A string band, stationed at one end, played during the greater part of the afternoon, and in one of the intervals speeches were made by the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, his Excellency the Admiral, and the Rev. A. M. Johnson, all of whom touched upon tho work accomplished by the Seamen's Mission, and the great part played by the Navy and the Mercantile Service in tho welfare of the nation. Tea, dispensed by assisting friends, was another pleasant interlude.

Mrs. Fisher, who was assisted in receiving tho guests by tho Hon. F. M. B. Fisher, wore a coronation blue and black striped gown, and a black hat trimmed with blue ribbon and ostrich plumes. Mrs. MacEwan was in grey charmeuse, trimiuod with heavily embossed embroidery, and a gray plumed hat; Mrs. Massey, long black satin clonk, and black hat with flowers; Mrs. Godley, blue gown, over which was worn a black satin coat, with a plumed hat. In addition to his Excellency the Admiral there were present a number of cadets from the Union Company's training ship Dartford. Also to be seen were: Major-General Godley, the Hon. Mr. Herries, the Hon. W. Fraser and Mis 3 Fraser, the Hon. H. D. Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Palmer, Miss Speed, the Misses Harding (2), Misa Edwin, Mrs. Shirtcliffe, Mrs. A. Hume, Mns. and Miss Litchfield, Major and Mrs. Hume, Mr. and Mrs. Grady, Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Wright, Mrs. P. Nathan, Mr. and Mrs. Kane, Mrs. Seaton,-' Mrs. D. Robertson, Mrs. Corliss, Mrs' Mitford, the Misses Watson, Dr. and Mrs. HardwickeSmith, Dr. Platts-Mills, Dr. Hay, and many people who have assisted the Sailors' Mission at all times. The absence of Mrs. M. A. Williams, who has taken so practical an interest in the institute, was regretted by one of the speakers in the course of remarks'. ,

A "Kitchen Tea." A very pleasant "kitchen tea" was given for Miss Mackie, whose marriage takes plaoe shortly, by Mrs. and Miss Antill, of Kumeroa. Tea was dispensed in the pretty garden, which was gay with quantities of beautiful roses. In addition to the hostesses and the guest of honour, there were present: Mrs. Kinnear, Mrs. Martin, the Messrs. Mackie, Ramsden, Palmer, Foster, Lynch, Bolton, Grigor, Ward, Warren, Eggleston, Amphlett, and Stewart.

Hutt Salo of Work. A Hutt correspondent writes that a .successful salo of work, organised by Miss .Uayden and hor school girls, was held in St. James's Schoolroom, Lower Hutt, on Friday afternoon and evening, in aid of tho funds of tho Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Anunals. Excellent biisinoss was dono both in tho afternoon and evening, about £Vi being taken. Many very dainty and useful things were to bo soon, from handsome cushions to kitchen-gardon cabbages, all of which found a ready salo. Tho sweet stall was especially .worthy of mention, as it was tho delight of all the children, and of tho grown-up people as well. The sweets were very dainty and beautifully got up, and had the merit of all being homemade. The entertainment was much enlivened by musical items, contributed by Mrs. Carr and Miss Natusch, who sang several duets very prettily, and Miss Zeta Chapman, who also recited. The thanks of tho society are due to Miss Hayden for the interest she took in the matter, and her assistants.