A BRILLIANT FUNCTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2367, 7 December 1908, Page 5

A BRILLIANT FUNCTION.

MARRIAGE OF THE PREMIER’S ELDEST SON. SIR JOSEPH AND LADY WARD CELEBRATE THEIR SILVER WEDDING. [Special to “Times.”] WELLINGTON, Dec. 0. The very large gathering of people of .all sections of the community and all shades of opinion at A war via House on Saturday afternoon, on the occaskm of tlio marriage of the Premier’s oldest son Cyril to Miss Davidson was a notable tribute to the personal popularity of Sir Joseph .and Lady Ward. The basilica in Hill Street in which the marriage was solemnised was beautifully decorated with arum lilies, roses, and palms. The pretty church was crowded to the doors, mostly' with tiie invited guests. A great crowd gathered outside on the wide spreading steps, an ideal vantage point whence to watch the gay scene. Before and after the ceremony, while waiting for the wedding party, the organist played delightful music. A little stir of interest announced the arrival of Sir Joseph and Lady Ward with the rest of the relations. Lady Ward- is always charmingly gowned, but on 'Saturday she was a perfect picture in soft tones of grey ninon over silver tissue. The double skirts Were trimmed deeply with soft silk of fbe sJrue lovely tint. Bretelies of silver lyffe, bordered by a delicate fichu of filmy' Limerick lacc, enclosed a dainty transparent vest of chiffon and lace. A wide tulle ruffle was worn, and a lovely hat of fine grey straw, banded with large grey' metal beads and softened with exquisite mole-grey T plumes. Her pendant of diamonds, centred by one large emerald, was Sir Joseph’s gift to her. The one touch of vivid color in all the sombre tones was a bouquet of roses tied with rose and pale pink ribbons. Ai hs. Henderson, sister of Lady Ward, wore a handsome frock of leaf green tulle, the bretelies of ivory sifk insertion in the Greek key pattern, and the vest of lace and chiffon. The green hat was wreathed with coral tinted roses. Airs Boye.s (Lady Ward’s sister from Christchurch) wore a charming white frock with a rulfle of I due and brown feathers, and a hat with blue plumes. Airs. Tipping (Sir Joseph AVard’s sister) wore black silk and white lace. Airs.* Ward, from Palmerston North, was in fawn cloth and lace with a plumed black bat. The bride entered on the arm of her brother. Air. Davidson, of Brisbane,

who gave her away. She was charm' ingly girlish and sweet as a real DanaGibson bride with her delicate coloring and features and artistic simplicity of dress. There was scarcely any trimming to mar the. soft rich effect of the ivory satin. About the delicate tucked tmnsparent yoke, with its high, beautifully fitting collar, the sign manual of a clever modiste, Were rows of pearl embroidered insertion. The long plain tulle veil fell over a coronet of orange blossoms worn low down.over the forehead, and through the soft transparency gleamed the pretty fair hair held up by a beautiful comb. A lovely shower bouquet, white roses and delicate sweet jieas, was carried, and she wore a most artistic pendant of tournainalines, the bridegroom’s gift. Her two bridesmaids were Miss Marti and Miss Gladys "Webster. Both wore beautiful white frocks, the former of white silk, mado with most becoming simplicity, and the latter a dainty gown of fine white lawn exquisitely made and trimmed with delicate embroidery, i Miss "Ward's large hat was of line I black straw, wreathed with large white j roses lying on green leaves. She I carried a silver crook with a posy of mauve sweet peas and violet streamers tied to it. Miss Webster’s beautiful white hat was thickly garlanded with pink and white stocks, and pink flowers decked her shepherd’s crook. Perhaps one of the most important, and certainly one of the most decoral five persons in the bridal group was Master Pat Ward, who wore a white satin and silver court dress, and carried a tricorn hat and flowery crook. The best man was Mr. Yv. Prouse, and the officiating priest was Father Hickson. As the bridal party passed down the aisle and the guests followed, high mbovo the organ notes of the wedding march, ’ rang out clear and' sweet trumpet tones. A whisper ran through the crowd, "The King’s Trumpeter,” and the guests stayed to listen to the gluorious music until it ceased. Hite 1 -, in Awarua House, at the door ol b« beautiful drawing room, decorated v many roses and cleared of furniture save for the tables bearing the two wedding cakes, Sir Joseph and Lady "Ward received their guests, who then went on to offer their congratulations to the Wide and bridegroom standing under the bell of white flowers. Then came the inevitable refreshments, all sorts of dainty fare set out amid magniff-wuc roses, white as ivory among their rich foliage. The long corridor made iu most delightful lounge, and m the morning room and billiard room v. ere laid out the presents. Those g;ten to iSir Joseph and Lady "Ward in the former. There, too, was the handsome cabinet which, with a touch, displayed glasses and spirit stands given by Lady Ward to her husband, and all round the room was c et a bewildering array of silver. In the billiard room tli© great table was brilliant with glasses and silver glittering under the ■ Electric '"tints. Among the nttny splendid gif tv a large silver-mounted mirror and the most artistic of clocks, the dial quartered by an exquisite female ■ guro, attracted the eye. The beautiful | central piece of hanging baskets in I pierced silver, given by the -ainiste.r.-, much admired. Books by famous writers, bound as they deserved to be, there were among the presents. Tlio speeches were few, short, an 1 I cheery; the Premier’s clear voke ' ringing out above the rustle and whisi pors <jf the great crowd in happiest ' sentiments for the future of the young j couple. Tlxe allusion to Pat s pos 1 siblo wedding on the diamond redding day 2o years hence was recTved I .with shouts of appreciative iaughter. j When an adjournment was made to ! the Hawn the delicate tints and tex--1 tures of the frocks receiv’d new beauty from the setting - f green Triage, and there were gown s there whose debut had been ne-allni by much• conjecture and interest, gowns whose delicate needlework had been wrought thousands of miles away in ateliers whose names every well-

informed woman breathes reverently. Though no nltiu direetoire frocks were to bo noted, there was one in supple satin, of the color of the gold in a sovereign, that was the centre of interest. It was exquisitely' made, the folds falling most artistically, and the delicate needlework on the transparent yoke a miracle of patient skill. With it was worn a great black picture hat, with long plumes. A battery of cameras memoralised the brilliant scene. In a plwce of honor m the largest group was placed Mr. Short, the King’s trumpeter, with his gleaming silver trumpet. Later on, in that period of waiting for the departure of the bride and bridegroom, which at most weddings is wearisome, but on Saturday passed quickly with cheery chat and laughter, Mr. Short played some exquisite selections. Schubert’s serenade was something to remember. Always ho is a picturesque figure, with his King’s gold buttons on. his waistcoat and hie two medals, Coronation and Jubilee, on his broad bi oust.

The bride looked charming in her white cloth frock, with its threequarter braided coat, and her hat wreathed with white roses. Her sable furs were the deepest note of colorjn her costume and we'll became her. The bridal pair had to run the gauntlet of a storm of confetti as they passed down the steps into their carriage. There Sir Joseph and Lady "Ward said good-bye, and, amid rousing cheers and many farewells, the carriage rolled off, an old shoe trailing ignommously and conspicuously behind. Af> the Premier and his wife remounted the steps they in turn were pelted with showers 'of confetti, and eager inquiries as when they were to lenve for their honeymoon. It was late for a function that began so early before the guests left, but there is an irresistible magnetism about the atmosphere of Awarua House, and the splendid hospitality of last Saturday called for full and deliberate appreciation.