SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2588, 9 October 1915, Page 10

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Wedding at Petons. The wedding took place in the Presbyterian Church, Petone, on September 29, of Misa Lizzie Corson, only daughter of Mr. Robert Corson, to. Mr. Sydney Howe Wallis, second son of Mr. W. F. Wallis. The parents' of both bride and bridegroom are well-known residents of Petone, and much interest was evinced in. the ceremony, the church being filled with friends, some being present from Southland and elsewhere. The Rev. Mr. Todd performed the ceremony. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of ivory crepe de chine, draped with Brussels lace, and a veil with orange blossoms. Miss Winnie M'Arthur and Miss Gwen Wallis (eister- of the bridegroom) attended her as bridesmaids, the former bearing a pretty dress of pink charmeuse, and the latter embroidered voile, with a mob cap. Mr. Eric Howe was the best man, and Mr. James Harolcl Corson, brother of tho bride, was groomsman. Mrs.: Corson, mother of tho bride, woro black silk taffetas with a black toffue, and Mrs. _ Wallis, mother of tho bridegroom, was in black corded silk with'a black and white hat. A reception was afterwards held in the Oddfellows' Hall. A feature of the wedding was the presence of four genorations of the Rowe family, from Mrs. Rowe, senior, aged 84, down to her great grandson Ronald, aged nine months. Tho bride travelled.in a fawn gaberdine costume and black tagel hat, trimmed with' cerise roses. Among tho presents received was an oak hall-clock from the employees of the Railway Workshops, where the bridogroom is employed, and an oak-tray, te .the bride from the Lyceum. ' N.Z. Soldiers Entertained. Madame Kirkby Lunn, the famous contralto, gave a garden party to about lifty wounded Australian, and. New Zealand soldiers at her beautiful country house, ''Tho Grange," Chorley'Woods, Herts, England. Despite showery weather tho soldiers had a most enjoyable time, for Madame Lunn turned her music-room into a concert hall for the time being, and here some famous artists sang and played to "Our Brave Wounded." Mdme. Lunn herself sang A number of songs, as did Mr. Robert Radford (baritone), Mr. William Murdoch, tho Australian pianist, Miss Blanche Tomlin, and Mr. Leslie Harriss, two famous entertainers, also contributed to tho programme. Among a large, number of .guests were: Lady Alexander (wifo of the famous actor); Mr. and Mrs. Nicholl (of Canterbury, New Zealand), Mrs. William" Murdoch, who was receutly ; married to the Australian pianist, and Mr.' J. Nevia Tait, of J. and N. Tait, who made the' arrangements, for Madame Lunn. The soldiers were' driven over' to Madam® Lunn's'house in largo brakes from their hospital at Harefield, and when they reluctantly had to Jeavo again they gave three magnificent'-Aus--tralian cheers for 1 Madame Kirkby Lunn and tho artists who entertained them. Tho soldiers were cheerful and happy despite their wounds, and apparently they enjoyed their outing. Soldiers from almost every State wore present, and the modesty of the men concerning their historio 1 deeds - was slirikih'^:' "Australia lias every reason'to be proud of her bravo sons," said Madame Lunn ivhen they left;

A benefit performance arranged by Mr. J. Culford Bell was held in aid of the Petone Ambulance Division last evening at the Empire Theatre, Petone. There was a good attendance, and'the programmers highly appreciated. The- following' contributed:— Mrs. A. Smith, Misses Betty Purdom, Lonsdale, Bouttrill, and Sylvia Udy, Dr. Mason, Messrs. Culford 8011, E. Luke, Medimrst, S. Allwright, H. J. Wood, and Masters Leith Riddell and Winston M'Carthy. Misses Houttrill, Barker, Davis, and Mr. 6. F. Holloway acted as accompanists. -;

Bazaar for Wounded Soldiers' Fund,

At the bazaar lield at Mrs. Morpeth's house on the Terrace last week, the isum of £45 was realised. It has been decided to dispose of the proceeds as follows:—Ten pounds has been paid to Mrs. Moorhouse for the St. John's Ambulance work in conncotion with wounded soldiers, and the balance is to be romitted to the Officer Commanding the Biiso in Egypt, to be there expended by him, in tho purchase of comforts for our men at the front. Mrs. Morpeth and the committee of girls who organised the bazaar, take this opportunity of thanking all those persons who, in various ways, contributed to the sue-' oess of tho effort. Fiji and the War. A lady who recentl.y_ passed through Suva on her way to New Zealand was greatly impressed by the almost total absence from the town of tho men of tho place. This singular condition is the result of the fine response of Fiji to tho call of tho Motherland. Wishing to change a cheque, the lady went to the bank, where a small boy of about 12 peered up at her from the businoss side of the coimtor. "I want to see a clerk or a teller or something," said the lady vaguely. While the small bov was convincing her that he was himself the entire ba.nk staff, a girl of 14, or so came in with a sheaf of cheques and money to the bank, tho day's takings at the principal shop. Thus it is in Suva —now! A Hero at Wlmereux. Attached in an unofficial way to the Australian Hospital at Wimereux is a captain of a Highland regiment, who in the Boer War did a heroic deed for which he received the V.C.; but which cost him the 6ight of both his eyes. But with the courage which proves his title ;to the decoration more than any feat, achieved in. the ardor of battle could, he has conquered the disabilities attaching to blindness. He is still a handsome, soldierly figure, in faultless uniform (which he looks after himself), and he has none of the groping uncertainty of a blind person. In times of peace he runs a large poultry farm, but since war broke out has devoted himself to helping look after tho wounded. He takes down their letters for them in Braille, and then types them. Those who have lost their sight are his special care. He teaches them as only a .blind man could, and he has not only tho sufferers, but their wives and children, staying in his house. He is adored by every member of the hospital staff, as well as by the patients with whom his influence is incalculable. ' Australian Nurse's Outfit. The news that at last the authorities have seen 'fit to alter the design and pattern of the uniform of Australian army nurses will he very wolcome to those coucerncd (states an Australian writer). - Ever since the first detachment of nurses left the Commonwealth it has been felt that the tiny, brimle'ss bonnets, with their long streamers, are inappropriate for such service. It was understood from the outset that an order had, been given for the light helmets, which are csential to comfort in hot climates. Now the order has been 'definitely':' given, and : these hats, to-" gather with the new warm service coats,' will make a. considerable difference in' :tho comfort of our army nurses wheal they have to face the severe, winter 'of Southern Europe. People who have seen the Canadian' nurses passing ■through England for tho front have rei marked on their workmanlike equipment'and uniform, whilo the rather iri- : ade'quate outfit of Australian army nurses has excited surprise. The new coat is of grey cloth, with scarlet shoulder strappings. It is well cut, and altogether has a smart military appearance. The new regulation headgear includes : a felt hat, as well as a helmet, both of grey. ' ,