OKAIN'S BAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XXIV, Issue 2131, 2 March 1897, Page 2

OKAIN'S BAY.

On Sunday morning, Feb. 21st, the annual harvest thanksgiving service was held in St. John's Church, the Re?. Blakiston officiating. The Church was tastefally decorated by the young ladiea of the Bay with flowers and greenery of every description available, while round the rails and on the altar were bunches of cocksfoot, collections of fruit, and other seasonable productions—the symbols of plenty end gratitude,—and trnly the large congregation which had assembled on the occasion. joined heartily in tha service and responses. The minister, , who preached an able address suitable to the occasion, intimated that any donations, each as grass-seed, would be thank tally received, dulj forwarded to Lyttelton, and (here sold for the benefit of Herrick's Home. Wedding at Okain's Bay. In Bpite of a showery morning and somewhat doll day, the usually quiet little settlement of Okain's was quiw en fete on Tuesday last, February 23rd, tbe occasion being the marriage of Miss Ann Jane Ware, eldest daughter of Mr John Ware, to Mr Robert Gallagher. The ceremonev, which took place in St. John's Church at 10 a.m., Was conducted by the Ret. Blakiston Defbre a company comprising guests apd visitors, which quite filled the handsome' little church. This had been moat artistically decorated with samples of nearly every flower to be obtained in the bay, while the aisle was almost covered from end to end, the whole producing an effect which was attractive in the extreme 4 .

The brid«, who was given away by her .father »nd supported by her aister, Miss Agnes Ware, as bridesmaid/ was taste* folly dressed in a rich fawn coloured travelling dress trimmed with cream and pink silk and edged with far; she also wtre a cream hat, and carried » beautiful shower bouquet with white satin streamers. , The bridesmaid wore a cream crepbnne dress with cream lace and pink trimmings, a picture hat trimmed with roses and pink to match, and carried a shower boquet of pink roses; Mrs John. Ware, tho mother, of the bride, was richly dressed in black creponne trimmed, with heliotrope silk and black lace, with bonnet to match. Of the bride's sisters Mrs H. Mason wore a brown serge trimmed with pale blue silk and edged with cream lace with cream chip hat, while Mrs Hammond was dressed in grey with silkedgingand gold Tbraid, and wore - a picture hat trimmed with pale pink, roses. The bride also wore, a gr>ld and sapphire bracelet, and the bridesmaid a gold bar brooch, both bring thi- gifts of the bridegroom. Mr -W. B. Clarkson, jun, acted as best man.

The ceremony over, the party returned Ito a sumptuous breakfast nicely served in a larpe marquee which Mr Ware had | erected in his orchard. ; Ample justice ; having been done in this way, tbe Rev. Blakiston proposed the toast of '• The Bride and Bridegroom," which was dnly honoured and responded to. Then followed that of '■ Mr and Mrs Ware" proposed by Mr J. Moore, and !< Miss | Thacker," one of tha guests whose birthday anniversary yrag by coincidence that day, on whose behalf Mr Thomas Ware humourously responded. Among the guests present, besides the members of the family, were Mr an 1 Mrs Gr Rix, Mr John Moore and family. Mrs A. Sefton, Miss Lam* bert, Mr and Mrs T, Ware, Mr E. WJ Harris, Mr and Mrs Boleyn, Mr Knight, Miss Pearson,. Mr John Thacker, Miss Thacker, and Mra Mason, sen., and family. The presents, which formed an attractive Bight as they stood upon a side table were numerous, costly, and at the, same time useful In tbe afternoon the' bride's schoolmates and acquaintances were invited to afternoon tea, a large number being present and wishing her every happiness, while in the evening Mr Ware regaled a company of grassseeders, to the number of about seventy, with •• the liquoi of their choice." ,'

In passing, it may be mentioned that Mr John Ware is one of the oldest settlers in tbe Bay, having been but two years old when his father pitched hfe tent some forty-six years ego. and remaining in the ««old spot," or nearly so, ever since. He married in 1858, aod thereupon having to oommenoe life in earnest, he opened a store, and at the same time started running the well* known yacht Catherine regularly between the Bays and Lyttelton, both of which lines of business be is still carrying on as successfully as ever. Two of his daughters married Messrs H. Mason and John Hammond, and are living" in the" Bay. It is M r and Mrs Gallagher's intention, however, to reside in Riccarton.. Some three years ago'-'Mr and Mrs Ware celebrated their silver wedding by inviting the company ot 'their neighbours and friend 3to a social, which turned out a brilliant success. 7 ...