OKATO NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 235, 31 October 1903, Page 4

OKATO NEWS.

; «_ (Frorn"our Own Correspondent). Wednesday, Oc'ober 21st, 1903, will remain a rtd letter day in Okato for m?ny years to com?. From an eirly hour it was apparent that something more than ordinary was afoot. The school flag was flying, the children were granted a hslf-holiday, and alter a lolly scramble, dispersfd with three cheers for Mr McOullum, who thus rfmembered them on the occasion of his only daughter's weddiDg. Ae it drew on to 2.30 p.m. crowds began to line the road leading from Mr McOullum's to St, Paul's, Church of England. Punctually to time the bridegroom, Mr Matthew William Porter, attended by Mr Reynold McOullum as " best man," arrived, being snon followed by a carriage drawn by four greys, carrying the bride, Ihe father of the bride, and four bridesmaids. As the bridal ;*parfcy entered «t the door the choir ' sang " The Voice that breathed o'er Eden," to the strains of which the bridu! party marched up the aisle. The bride, dreesfd in wbitf silk voile trimmed with lace and chiffon, and wearing a veil and wreath of orange blossoms, and carrying a beautiful shower bouquet, looked claiming. Two of the bridesmaid?, Miss Swoysland and Miss Hammond, were dressed in cream cashmere, trimmed with cream insertion and white satin, with hats to match, and the other two bridesmaids, Mifs Mary Fox and Mifs Lizzie O'Sullivan, were dressed in pale blue silk and white silk hats with ros6ttes of pain blue chiffon and carrying each a basket of flowers comple'ed a picturesque bridal partv. The Rfv. F. W. Young, 8.A., vicar of the parish, officiated. The bride was given away by her father, and at the conclusion of the service the Rev. Young presented the bride 'and bridegroom with the prayer-book used during the service. The bridegroom with his bide, followed by the bridal party, retired frcm the church to the strains of the wedding march clayed by Miss Mabel Gray, and on arrival at the church door were received with showers of vice. The party proceeded to the residence of the bride's father, where a largo gathering of guests, eat down to a sumptuous wedding breakfast. This over, the bride cut the wedding cake which, besides looking nice, was pronounced magnificent.. Congratulatory telegrams from Messrs M. Jones and Fuul), and other friends were received. As Mr Porter's friends live in Sydney, 3M.5.W., they were unavoidably absent. The bridegroom presented the bride with a gold-curved bracelet with heart attached, and the bridesmaids with a gold brooch with ruby, gold anchor set with pearls, and two golden horse-shoe brooches respectively. ■ After the usual toasts had been duly honoured the company were pbotji graphed by Mr Hanna, of New Plymouth. The bride and bridegroom, after attending the social in the school- ., J room for about an hour and a-balf, left |for Wanganni to spend their hoaeyK i moon. In the evening hosts of friends ! called at Mr and Mrs McCullum's to j drink the b«alth ard wifh happ°r,e>'s to !the bride and bridegroom. At 8 pm. j a crowd began to assemble at the school, | which had been decorated by the children with old horse shoes end old | boots (as tokens of good luck). Round j the walls the blackboards were nicely : arranged, anfl inscribed with the words y - " Good Luck." Mr J. B. Knowles, of j Pungarehu, presided at the piano, acd j played as only a professional can. Mr W, i Hammond, assisted by Mr DesForges j acted as M.0., and opened the social | with the grand-march, headed by the s! bridal party, By 9 p.m., the crowd J was bo great that it constituted a re''lcord for Okato. Songs were contriJbuted by Mr Groom and Mr J, B. j Knowles l , and were highly appreciated >• |by the assemblage. During the evening Mr Knowles was relieved for two waltzes by Miss M. Swaysland (piano), d j and Mr B. Swaysland (cornet), and Mr j R. McOullum (violin). About midnight '•ja splendid supper was served round, '• j and at 2 a.m. tho gathering dispersed j t. j after a most enjoyable evening with many expressions of goodwill to Mr and Mrs McOullum and the newly- '• I married bride and 'videgroom, The (presents, which wera considerably over 1100 in cumber, were both useful and xjvaluable, and rnerkad the esteem in I which the you«g couple were htld.