The Reporter.
MARRIAGE.
Marriages arc always ii.terestin*'?vents in any ccmninnity. particularly in a compatarivtly snrall one. This is especially so when either, or both, of the ‘‘contracting parties” happen to be well known and biglrtv esteemed. Sueh was the ease on Wednesday, when Miss Mcßae, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Walter Gibson, was ttfariied to Mr Robert -Parsons, son of Capt. Parsons, of Rangiora Miss Mcßae, now Mrs Parsons junior, being a member of the oldest family of this district, more than usual interest was manifested in the happy and momentous event celebrated in St, Peters by the Revd. Mr Kay. The Church was crowded to excess, (standing room even not being obtainable), by people from all parts of thjb district .and several from North Mail* borough, while a lajflfe number of spectators, host of school children, thronged the Chiircb grounds. The wedding party, solely composed of relatives of both the bride and bridegroom, drove to the Churcb in four carriages, the bridegroom and his ‘‘best man, Mrl. Joints son of the well-known Christchurch solicitor, having previous'y arrived. Punctually at the hour appointed the bride- entered the Church on the arm of Mr M alter Gibson, her step-father, attended by four bridesmaids, two being sisters of the bride and the others her cousins including Miss Coleman of Amberley. Miss Mcßae, who wore a beautiful bridal dress of white surah silk, trimmed'with orange blossoms, and a- white tnile veil, embroidered with sprays of white daisies, looked charming. Two of the bridesmaids wore cream and two white nuns veiling, trimmed with pale pink. At the conclusion of the solemn and impressive ceremony the register was duly signed and the newly married couple proceeded to the gates of the Church ground, the pathway being flanked, on both sides, with spectators, who kept up a perfect shower of rice until the carriage was gained, and the .party drove off amid the cheers of the onlookers, When the party entered the Church joyous strains proceeded from the harmonium, at which Miss Flower presided. Incidental to the marriage service the hymns “ How welcome was the call,” “ The voiee that breathed o’er Eden,” and another, were sung, and at the conclusion of the ceremony Miss Flower played “ The Wedding March” in a highly effective manner The Church looked very pretty indeed, having been specially decorated for the" occasion. A floral arch surmounted the altar tails, while over the entrance to cburclL, soother ar-h of flowers and shrubs badfoeen placed. The guests repaired to the residence of Ma C. A. Halliday,
where “breakfast” had been laid in a spacious marquee, provided with a wooden floor for use m the evening. ‘Over forty guests sat down to a spread of surpassing excellence, dainties and delicacies being provided in abundance, “ right royal ” hospitality being dispensed by Mr and Mis Halliday. After the handsome wedding cake had been cut by the bride, Mr Gibson, in proposing the health of the “ Bride and Bridegroom,” spoke of the regret in parting with a fund and affectionate daughter, and congratulated the bridegroom on obtaining such a treasure, whose worth he would discover for himself. He felt sure that she would prove a loving and true consort, and commended her to the care of the bridegroom. The health of the happy couple was “toasted ” warmly, and Mr Parsons replied briefly, trusting that he would prove a worthy husband. The toast was accorded ringing cheers. *
Mr Goodall proposed the"health of Mr and Mrs Walter Gibson. He felt gratified in again, as be bad on former occasions, attending the marriage of one of their daughters, and wished the newly wedded pair the greatest possible happiness. He referred to the unbounded hospitality of Mr and Mrs Gibson throughout their residence in Kaikoura.
Mr Gibson replied in a happy manner, and then proposed “ Capt. and Mrs Parsons.” He was very pleased to meet the Captain in Kaikoura, and make the acquaintance of one of whom be had beard the warmest econiums. The toast was accorded musical honors.
Capt. Parsons expressed great pleasure at the kind reception he had met with in Kaikoura, and would be pleased to again visit the place and see those who had made him so welcome here. The kindness shown him explained to him the reason people in his district who had visited Kaikoura spoke so highly in favor of its inhabitants. He was delighted with Kaikoura aud his visit.
Mr Halliday, in a very neat speech, proposed “The Bridesmaids,” none of whom would, he felt sure, become old maids, indeed the transitition from bridesmaid to bride would probably occupy a shorter period than had elapsed since the bridesmaid on the occasion of his happy marriage had been transformed into the bride of the present occasion. Mr Joynt, as becomes the groomsman, made * very humorous reply, and said that were his “heart not in the Highlands ” he could scarcely withstand the charms of more than. one of the bridesmaids. The Revd. Mr Kay, in response to the toast of his health and that of M rs Kay, said that he regretted similar events to the one they were celebrating did not occur more frequently in Kaikoura. the com-
munity was not, Tie’ thought, a Marrying oiie. He spoke of the formation by marriage of a Home centre, the centre so dear to every British Heart. \'o nation under the suit sot such store on the fsmilv cycle as the English, (iiy which he-tneant. the three people forming the nitiou)»-did. The true husband became the “ houseband " as the old term had it, while the wife became the weaver of the meshes which bound the home together more closely. They should feel thankful for such an insitution «« the British home. He concluded by expressing the warmest hopes that the event of that day was the inaugural act of the formation of another bright and happy home. Capt. Parsons proposed “the health of Mr and Mrs C. A. Halliday " whose kindness and generous hospitality had added greatly to the pleasure of bis visit. When first he met Mr Halliday south he was very favorably impressed with him, mentally saying “ If there are any rising young men itf Kaikjfen&tjfchafc man L> one, ” and be was lyaaSt'jjrto Jjnd confirmation of thsjt belief. He hoped that before Mr Halliday became very very grey he would be “ elevated to the wool-sack.” (applause) He often beard of the hospitality of Kaikoura but much as he believed in what had been stated his experience showed that he bad not given the people credit for half enough. The health of Mr and Mrs Halliday was received in a most enthusiastic manner.
Mr Halliday in replying thanked Capt. Parsons for the flattering manner in which he had spoken of him and said that he did not aspire to such an exa’ted sphere as the wool-sack. He hoped to have the pleasure of again meeting Capt. Parsons in Kaikoura. To the bride and bridegroom he hoped that the happy event would ever prove a red letter one, the lusture of which would never be dimmed.
The presents were numerous and costly, some being remarkably handsome.
Shortly after four o’clock the “ Happy Pair,” drove off to the Port, amid a heavy shower of rice and a fusilade of slippers, their carriage being. “ adorned” yyjtli a numerous collection of old shoes fastened to almost every part of the conveyance. In. the evening Mr and Mrs Halliday entertained over sixty guests at a dance, which those present.declare to be the most enjoyable social reunion ever attended by them in Kaikoura, Mr and Mrs Halliday sparing nothing that would conduce to the pleasure of their friends. They were highly successful in their efforts, so much so that within our experience a more pleasurable “social evening ” has hot been spent on a ilke occasion in Kaikoura , indeed it transcends all entertainments of a similar nature in this district.
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Kaikoura Star, Volume VII, Issue 85, 21 October 1887, Page 3
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1,317The Reporter. Kaikoura Star, Volume VII, Issue 85, 21 October 1887, Page 3
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