MOTUEKA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 20, 5 September 1877, Page 2

MOTUEKA.

(From a corkisspondknt.) ' On Wednesday last, the 29th ultimo the parish church of Motueka was the centre of great attraction, owing to the public interest felt m the marriage of Mr Pa:nariki Park of Wellington, with Mere Kitakita, late pupil of the Motueka Native School. Before the appointed hour the sacred edifice was filled to overflowing, all eyes being turned upon the expectant bridegroom, who waited in the chaucel for his bride, on the arrivai of whom the Rev. T. S Grace, Bishop's Maori chaplain, commenced the service. After the Minister had read in the native tongue as far as the first benediction, the notes of the organ were heurd, and the choir chanted in English the 67th Psalm. Then followed the rest of the service with Hymn 255 in Mercer The happy couple, after signing their names in the yejstry left the church, followed by four bridesmaids (late schoolfellows of the bride), and other friends, amid the peals of the organ, the ringing of the church bell and the congratulations of the spectators! In the Native schoolroom, where the bride had recently received her education, lon°tables had been tastefully and abundantly prepared with refreshments under the superintendence of Mr and Mrs Baker, at which the heads of families representing the two races, together with the clergy, safe down to enjoy the wedding breakfast served up in a truly English style. The cake having been Cut, the Kev S. Poole proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom, which was most warmly received, Air Park then returned thanks in an eloquent speech, which Mr Grace interpreted for the benefit of the English people present. After several expressions of goodwill from Maoris, Charles Thorp, Ksq., proposed the health of Mr and Mrs Baker, whose hospitality had brought together many old settlers and friends on so joyful an occasion. Mr Baker, in returning thanks, adverted to the satisfaction he had felt in the progress of the bride, whilst she was a pupil under his chargc,as well as in the evidence she had given in her subsequent conduct that his training and instruction had produced the desired effects. The Bishop of Nelson's health, coupled with that of Mr Grace, was enthusiastically received the proposer alluding to His Lordship's handsome present to the bride, which then decked the table, and especially to the Native chaplain hiingeli", whose ministerial training had been the most 'valuable gift the Bishop

had made to the Maori people of the diocese. Mr Kitakita, the father, thanked the company for the kind interest they had takeu iu his daughter's welfare. He felt it wag a j great compliment to have so many of the pakehas at her wedding. He had heard a great deal of the profession of goodwill on their part, but he had had his doubts about the reality of it. Now be was convinced that it was true, and the kindness that Mr Baker had shown to his daughter whilst she was under his charge, and the happy results he had witnessed from his training had caused him to decide in his own mind about sending another daughter to the Motueka school. The Rev T. S. Grace, having returned thanks for the absent Bishop, as well as for himself, requested the party present to consider the appetites of those who were waiting outside to take their places, The proceedings, oa the whole, were characterised by the greatest cordiality, and everyone felt fiat the timo had passed very quickly and most pleasantly, whilst some expressed a hope that it would not be long before another similar occurrence brought them together.