A REMARKABLE WEDDING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 723, 21 November 1914, Page 5

A REMARKABLE WEDDING.

Contributed,

The present writer hag had the hotour of attending rmnierou3 weddings, and in different countries;, but he never attended a mors interesting marriage service than that which took place in the Pio Pio Town Hall last Tuesday afternoon, when the Rev. Harold James Ralph was united in holy matrimony to Misa Lovell, of Dorsetshire, England. Daring nearly a year and a half work in Pio Pio and the surrounding district, Mr Ralph' has become so much esteemed and "beloved that when the people heard that he was likely to he married in Te Kuiti, "they ventured to put in a mild... but strong, protest. Was he not their minister? Could they not adrsire the courage of the young lady who had braved the dangers of a great ocean voyage at a time when German mines and sub marines wers in such painful evidence 1 ? Why should they not hsve the prvilege of proving their affection their loyalty, and their love? Argument of this.kind were almply irresistible: so the wedding was held at Pio Pio. Neadlsaa to ray the Town Hall web lavishly and tastefully decorated, and there was a,largo company to witness the . csrernony. Indeed, it seemed aa if the business of the little township were completely suspended for a couple of hours. The Rev. S. Griffiths, of Te Kuiti, was t : e officiating minister, but the Rev. F. M. Beattie also look part in th 3 service, while the Rev. J. G. Laughhton acted as the bridegroom's "best man." The bride—who was led in by Mr G. Smith attired in a dainty cream satin dress which was trimmed with Maltese lace, and, of course, she wore the regulation orange blossoms and veil. She had also a very pretty shower bouquet which had besn prepared by Mrs Dr McLeod. Mi as Gladys Smith, the bridesmaid, wore a cream dress that was tastefully trimmed with pink and hat to match, and sha carried a shepherd's crouk that was neatly decorated with pink and cream flowers. During the refreshments which followed, the U3ua ! toa3ts were duly honoured amid3t showers of rice. Then came a somewhat startling surprise in the form of a "hake" which was given with mucn vigour and evident delight by a company of Maoris. The e-thusiasm ag immense, and the applause protracted. The proceedings in the hall were brought to a close by singing of the National Anthem; and when it was afterwards announced that the Germans had lost eight gunboats the cheering was so vigorous tha' if the Kaiser could have heard it it would have been another revelation to him of the loyalty and unity of the great British Empire. In addition to-the rnnaical-ltemg just mentioned Mrs Coates gave the Wedding March, and during the wedding ceremony the whole company joined in singing Kehls'3 well-known marriage hymn. Several congratulatory telegrams were read by the Rev, J. G. Laughton, and among the numerous wedding gifts may be mentioned the dining room side board and chairs and bod room suite —all given from the district. Outside the hall too, the enthusiasm was as intense as it had been within, as could be seen by the manner in which strong and willing hands removed the beautiful horseß, and, by their own force and skill, propelled the vehicle which contained the happy and newlywedded couple. The 17th of November will be long, remembered as a" red letter" day in Pio Pio, and one coul'J scarcely refrain from wishing that relatives and friends in the dear old Home-Sand had been able to see and hear the whole of the joyous proceedings;