NAVY LEAGUE "GIFT DAY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 114, 4 August 1927, Page 4

NAVY LEAGUE "GIFT DAY”

FOR SEAMEN'S DEPENDANTS The gift afternoon in the Navy ' League Rooms, Customs Street, yesj terday, brought a generous response. The gifts will be distributed among the dependants of British seamen who died | during the war. by the Navy League j in London, on Trafalgar Day, October I 21, (ind will be supplemented by a j cheque from the ladies’ committee. An account of the growth of the league in Auckland was given by Miss Statham, who congratulated members on the progress made. A short address on the British Navy was given by Commander J. R. Middleton, D.S.O. He referred to the many duties of the British Navy and said that it was essential that Britain should have a good one, not only for the freedom of the seas, but also for the prosperity of the Dominions. The navy was also employed in putting down gun-running and slavetrading. The navigation charts of the British Navy were used by foreign as well as British ships in voyages all over the world. Commander Middleton also spoke of the new magazine of the Auckland branch of the Navy League, which had been published with the object of increasing its membership. The magazines are to be distributed among the schools, thus giving the pupils an insight into naval matters and interesting them in the activities of the league. An account of the first naval review since the war was given by Mrs. C. E. Maguire, who stated it was only through the courtesy of the league in London that she had been able to witness the display. Embarking on a ship at Plymouth, they followed the Royal yacht through the lines of anchored warships. The officers and men of the various ships lined the decks, making a most impressive scene. Mrs. Maguire also gave an account of the Mediterranean Fleet at Malta going out in battle formation for manoeuvres. Songs were given by Miss H. King and Mrs. A. B. Nicholson, recitations by Miss Hacket and Mrs. Iv. Gordon, and a pianoforte solo by Miss Brook. A HUNGARIAN WEDDING In Hungary, marriage is usually preceded by an interesting, ceremony called “the Hand-Taking.” The prospective bridegroom solemnly gives the engagement ring together with some present (often a little money) to the girl, and she, in her turn, accepts his suit officially by giving him a great big handkerchief into which she has woven his initials. The Magyars are fond of merrymaking and dancing, and their marriages afford ample opportunities for both. The whole village crowds to the feast, but neither cutlery nor crockery may be provided for the guests; each carries his or her own plate, knife and spoon. The bride drives to church in a gorgeous carriage, with streamers of multi-coloured ribbons flying in all directions. After the ceremony the husband goes home alone, whilst his wife is allowed to take “the last peep” at her parents’ house, and this strikes the one and only sad note in the whole affair. Tears are shed, but they are quickly wiped away, since it is improper for the bride to be seen with red eyes on this great day. A wedding in Hungary, like one in Lithuania, is similar to a concert. Health to the bridal pair is drunk to the accompaniment of songs most likely composed for the occasion by some local bard. The guests solemnly chant their wishes that ‘t‘he bride’s and groom’s happiness may go eui increasing,” so that one day they will be able “to feel it as a burden of great sweetness weighing on them.” At the end of the banquet the bride retires to change her wedding dress and to remove her wreath of orange blossoms. When she returns to the company, the chief guest greets her with yet another song in which he asks God to crown her beautiful head with every happiness “so that she shall not miss her orange wreath in the days to come.” After that, the real feasting begins; dancing, if the weather permits, on the lawn till daybreak. The Magyars are never tired of dancing, and it is wonderful to see them perform their graceful native dances on the green sward, with the dark, dark silhouettes of the neighbouring woods and the moonlight tracing a fitful silver pattern under their feet. But this does not conclude the wedding festivities. The Sunday following, the whole company gathers again for another such evening, arid only after that can the bridal pair settle down to the quiet duties of their everyday life.