MARRIAGE MART.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 465, 3 August 1909, Page 4

MARRIAGE MART.

MAIDS WHO SEEK HUSBANDS.

Two thousand bachelors from all parts of Belgium, many from France, and some from Germany, swept down on the village of Kcaussines-Dalaing to find brides on May 31st. It was the sixth yearly marriage mart as established by the maids of ficaussines, and the proceedings were a great success.

The men began to arrive early in the morning, and by noon they were arriving in trainloads. There were all sorts and conditions of men. One man of seventy two had travelled all the way from Luxemburg to find a wife, to whom he promised a dowry that would place her beyond want. There were tradesmen, clerks, mechanics, miners, and labourers.

Gay banners of welcome, showing hearts pierced by arrows, were to be seen everywhere.

At noon the bachelors were formally welcomed at the gates of the village by the Spinster Committee. Last year’s president and several members of the committee are now married in consequence of the festivities twelve months ago, and others had been elected in their place.

All marched to the Grande Place, where there was an openair concert. The bands played nothing but nuptial inarches and love songs. At the close an adjournment was made to the town h. 11, where the }unng women took their places at tables on wh c ' stood bowl-- of pink loses, with such mouo-s as 11 Hope on,” “Love,” ‘‘He trusting,” and “ Have faith.” A vacant chair was left beside each gill, and at a given signal the men with matrimonial intent made a rush to secure the seats. Then coffeee and a sweet cake were served, followed by a bon-bon tasting ol liquorice. When this was over the lady president ma le a speech on 11 The Art of Pleasing Man,” which was wildly applauded. Dancing in the open air ended the programme of the festivities. Hundreds of letters, many of them very amusing, were received this year from intending husbands. Some bachelors from France explained that they were young, good-looking, aod earning a month, and were anxious to find wives from Lcaussbies, where the girls are famed for their good looks and quiet domestic life !