27 ENGAGEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 11 July 1907, Page 4

27 ENGAGEMENTS.

RESULT OK THE MARRIAGE KAIR AT KCAUSSIXES. Brussels, May 21. Twenty-seven engagements are an-uoum-rd in consequence »!' the iimutii! "marriage fair'" held at Ecaussincs on Whit Holiday. There arc indications thai at lent a dozen other bachelors who attended the fair will lie married in ihe near future.

The marriageable maidens of Eeaus.sines, dismayed at the tendency of the young men of the towu to emigrate and lind wives elsewhere, formed a guild and organised this annual entertainment, to which all the bachelors are invited. Every eligible bachelor who arrived at Ecaussincs on Whit Monday had to sign the gold-lettered register at the town hall, and to give a.' account of his parentage, present position, and future prospects.

Then they assembled in the gaily decorated market place, which was crowded with sympathetic spectators, some of whom had chosen wives at former fairs. •

The loeal band played a burnishing "berceuse" from a platform in the centre of the square, after which the members of the guild, dressed in pretty spring costumes, ascended (he platform, and their president. Mile. CMende. welcomed the bachelors in a graceful little speech.

Then the maidens and the bachelors went to luncheon at the town hall, wher" they spent the afternoon in chatting and dancing. Tn the evening the streets were illuminated.