SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1382, 7 March 1912, Page 9

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL.

A Diamond Wedding. Mr. and Airs. J. A. Huxtable, of Dunedin, who havo many friends among the old residents of Jlasterton, celebrated their diamond wedding yesterday, Both are nearly ninety years of age, and are in good health. Convalescent Homo. A meeting of the Convalescent Home Committee was held at the residence of -Miss Coates yesterday. There were present: Mesdaines Newman (in the chair), West-Knowles,- A. l'earce, A. Martin, Litchfield, Barron (treasurer), Jliss Coates and Miss E, Nathan (secretary). The matron reported that six patients had been admitted, and eleven discharged during the month. Gifts were acknowledged with thanks from Jlesdumes Martin* Kotheram, Morris, and Price! ' Fashionable Marriage in London. The "British Australasian" writes that a very prett.v wedding took placo quietly at Rutland Gate, West London, on Monday, January 15, from the residence of the Baroness do Knoope, when Mr. Richard iMcnnins I'rescott (at one time resident in Wellington, New Zealand, solicitor and Town Clerk of Sheffield, England) was married to Jliss Nancy Evelyn Shaw, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Shaw, of Kingsbury, Stratfield, Sydney. The bride, who is one of the prettiest girls in Sydney, looked charming in a delicate ivory crepe gown, beautifully embroidered in Japan for the occasion. It was also ornamented with a handsome piece of lace, frhich had belonged to Queen Adelaide. In the unavoidable absence of her father, Jliss Shaw was given away by her mother, Mrs. Shaw, who wore a dress of brown and blue shot silk ninon, embroidered in colours to harmonise, and a black velvet picture hat, with plumes. She also wore a dirk, mounted in gold, and set with rare gems, the gift of the bridegroom. A magnificent bouquet of white heather, the badge of the Macdonalds, the ancient Lords cf the Isle, was sent to the .bride by her relatives, Lord and Lady Claud Jlacdonald, in Skye. Tlie wedding-breakfast was given by the Baroness de Knoope, and the honeymoon was spent in the South ofKnglund. The bride, who was born in Wellington, New •Zealand, is the granddaughter of the late Captain John Macdonald, of a Highland regiment, and great-niece of Jlrs. Douglas and Jliss Shaw, of New Plymouth, and has many relatives in New Zealand. Women's Christian Temperance Union. A garden party, organised by the Women's Christian Temperance Union as a farewell to Mrs. Wright and Jlrs. Cumniings, members who are leaving for England next month, took place in the picturesque grounds of Mr. and Jlrs. Keena, at Island Bay, yesterday afternoon. Tea was served outsido 011 the verandah, additional attractions being added by a beautiful view of the Bay, most delicately grey in colour, and by the pungent delightful scent from the pino plantation which covered the siele of the hill just below. Jlrs. Boxall, the president of the union, referred in a brief speech to the work which had been done by the departing members, and of the loss their temporary absenco would be. Mrs. Wright also spoke, and later a presentation, as a slight acknowledgment of the kindness of Jlr. and Jlrs. Keeno in so often placing their grounds at the disposal of the union, was made by Jlrs. Boxall 011 behalf of the members. A fnncv stall was in charge of Jliss Boxall. 'Jlrs. lloulder, with assistants, dispensed tea. Ladies' Auxiliary of Y.M.C.A. A garden party, organised by the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Y.JF.C.A., took place in the grounds of Mr. William Campbell, at Kilbirnic, yesterday afternoon, and proved to be a very successful affair, both from tlio point of view of pleas'ure and of profit. Stalls were placed upon the lawn, and were in the charge of the following:— Plain and fancy stall, Jlrs. Eossette (convener), Jlrs. lialph, and Jlrs. Bennett; flower stall, Jlrs. Kelly and Jliss Barnes; sweets, the Misses l'ossette. Tea, which was served outside*, was in the charge of Jlrs. Kitto and Jlrs. Thompson. In addition to a concert lielel inside, under the management of Mrs. Grant and Jlrs. Grcig, tliero were gramaphono selections from a cabinet instrument, all of which were greatly enjoyed, Mr. Tusker supervising. A band of the Ivilbirnie Boy Scouts was quite invaluable. At the closo of the afternoon, Mr._l\ersley, the president of the association, I banked, 011 behalf of the auxiliary, Jl r. and Jlrs. Campbell for their kindness in lending their grounds. An Acknowledgment. A copy of Jlr. James Cowan's book, published some years ago, "New Zealand, or Ao-tea-roa," bound in Russia leather, was forwarded to Sandriugham by the i High Commissioner of New Zealand, shortly after a lecture 011 this country I had been given at Sandringhain. in the | presence of the Royal children. The folI lowing letter of thanks has been received by Sir Wm. Hall-.Jones:-"York Cottage, Sandringhain, Norfolk. Dear sir,—l am desired 'by the Trince of Wales, Prince Albert, Princess Jlary, and the Princes Henry, George, and John to_ thank you very much for the books on New Zealand that you have so very kindly sent to their Royal Highnesses through Lieutenant 11. . T.'C. Knox, R.N. I mav_ adel that the lecture which he gavo on New Zealand in the Parish Hall at Sandringham, \\-est Newton, was very interesting indeed.Believe me, etc., (Signed) Henry J.. Hansell."