PIRONGIA.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 37, 3 October 1896, Page 3

PIRONGIA.

♦ Social. —As the weather was so bad on Friday last there was but a small attendance at the social in aid of the funds of the Public Hall. A short programme was gone through only, as it was determined to hold another on the following Tuesday. Although this turned out not n very pleasant evening the attendance was good, the hall being comfortably filled. The Rev. W. H. Wilson presided. Refreshments were kindly provided by the ladies of the township. Mrs Helps played the overture and accompaniments in an efficient manner. Among the most notable of the items on the programme was a song " Father O'Flynn by Mr George Miles, which was well sung and encored ; song, Nonsense Rhymes, M'.ss R. Hamilton. This young lady acquitted herself very nicely indeed and was loudly applauded ; song, " The Sailors Grave," Mr Fell. This gentleman's songs arc always appreciated and encored. Duet, " Country Courtship," Miss F. Bowden and Mr G. Bowden, was a great success, the. encore was unanimous. Song, '• My Honey, Mr Honey," Mr E. Aubin, with a volunteer chorus, took immensely and was encored. Violin .solo, Miss Da : sy Bowden. This accomplished young lady on the king of instruments, was listened to with great pleasure— the "Bessy Doyle" of Waikato. Song, "Poor Old Joe" Master Prentice, also pleased the audience. Duct " Maying," Miss Allan and Mr Fell was the gem of the evening. The tableau " The Clam.' of the Hammer," was well staged and pourtrayed by a number of amateurs and pleased immensely. The usual dance by the young folks concluded a pleasant evening's entertainment. Wkddinc —A popular wedding took place on Wednesday last in our Public Hall, which has now to do temporary duty us our church. The happy couple were Miss Alice Charlotte Finch, the fifth daughter of the respected landlady of the Alexandra Hotel, Mrs Finch, and the late Mr Thomas Finch, and Mr Albert Edward Wills, son of the late Mr James Wills, of Glenburn, Alexandra, and as both bride and groom were wellknown and respected throughout the district, great interest was taken in the wedding. Owing to a recent bereavement in the bridegroom's family the marriage was a semi-private one, only the relatives of both families being invited, but popular enthusiasm could not be restrained, so that at an early hour quite a number of our townsfolk turned out in the r.v'n and proceeded to the hall to put things straight after the previous night's social, and to decorate the hall for the marriage ceremony. This they did in the morning in a tasteful manner, with ferns and flowers. Up the centre of the building arches were formed, under which the wedding party passed, the altar also being handsomely decorated •with white clematis and other ilowers. Up to the hour fixed for the ceremony, '2 p.m., rain and hail had been falling, but at the last moment out came " Old Sol " shining most gloriously, rejoicing all. A stream of people all at once turned up, and toon the hall was filled by the friends of the young couple here, and from all parts of the district. The happy bridegroom soon after arrived, as also our well beloved Vicar, the Rev. W. 11. Wilson. The bride entered on the arm of her brother, Mr George Finch, with her bridesmaids, her two sisters, Misses Blanche and Grace, and Miss Evelyn "Wilson. Mr J. Williams was best man, and Mr George Finch gave his sister away. The service was partly choral and most impressively conducted by the Vicar, who at its conclusion read the address to young married couples, by Bishop Oxenham. I cannot describe, as 1 would like to do, minutely the dresses of the bride and bridesmaids, but of the clfeet I can say it was charming, all agreed they looked beautiful. Amongst the relatives present were : Mrs Finch, mother of the bride, Mrs J. Miller. Mrs T. Kirk, and Mrs W. Newsham, sisters of the bride. Misses Eva, Edith, and Ella Willis, and Mrs George Finch, sisters of the bridegroom. At the closest the ceremony many were the congratulations and good wishes expressed to Mr and Mrs Willis, who hud also to undergo that old-fashioned and unpleasant ordeal of showers of rice, but l hey didn't mind it at all. The wedding presents to the bride were not only numerous, but valuable, useful and orua mental. After afternoon tea at the residence of the bride's mother, the newly wedded pair left for Ohaupo, en route to their "future home at To Eahotu, Taranaki, where Mr Willis has bought hind and prepared a home for his bride. May good luck attend them is the wish of their numerous friends.—(Own Correspondent).