SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2499, 28 June 1915, Page 2

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL

The Baby Coronation. ,f The Concert Chamber of tho Town Hall was tilled 011 Saturday afternoon to witness the Baby Coronation, "Her Majesty" being tho eight-mouths'-old daughter of a Naval Reserve Soldier n who had left with the Main Expeditionary Force, ilrs. Sawkins had received word that her husband had been wounded, aijd was in a hospital at Cairo, and it was partly as a compliment to tho women ol' New Zealand , whose husbands are fighting at the front that the baby was chosen. The stage, upon which the crowning ceremony was to be performed, was draped with pink curtains, and 011 either side of it stood a Boy Scout ready to trumpet tho arrival of the small queen. A guard of honour was also formed by other Boy Scouts, who, lined tho aisles preparatory to her arrival. Her .Excellency the Countess of Liverpool was present, and was received by Mr. and Mrs. D, M'Laren, the latter presenting her with a bouquet of violets. Previous to the coronation ceremony a brief speech was made by Mr. Hill, president of the Patriotic Society, emphasising the fact that this ceremony had been specially arranged tor the children, 50 that they might realise that they, too, had had their share in tho Patriotic Carnival proceedings. A fanfare of trumpets announced the arrival of the queen, who was carried in the arms of her mother up the aisle, across tho front of tho Hall, and down the other aisle, so that all might see. A small white crown was carried on a white satin cushion by a small child dressed in white, and following came the throne-bearers, carrying the baby's throne. These four children were the Misses Hickey, Linda Hickey, Irene Marsh, and Edith M'Laren, all of whom were dressed in white with white military hats. Several ladies-in-waiting, ranging in age from nine downwards, dressed in white, frilly frocks, and a bevy of royal nurses followed, and after the procession had gone twice round the aisles, the group took its place upon the stage. Little Miss Rita M'Gee, the Lady High Chancellor, then proceeded to read a long disquisition dealing with the conduct of our enemies, the Germans, and various other matters, after which the crucial moment, the crowning of the baby, followed, the Lady High Chancellor performing the ceremony. The baby behaved admirably. and received the crown as though crowning had been as much a part of its daily life as its bath, and never once throughout the long programme of events yawned, or lifted up its voice beyond a faint crow. As tor the orb and the sceptre, it would have nothing to do with them, preferring to play with a uosy of white flowers instead of trifling with such dangers as they stand for. The part of the court jester was, played bv Master W : inston M'Carthy. Mr. M'Laren then proceeded to read a Royal Proclamation commanding everyone to give what they could to the causo of the Wounded Soldiers, and as a result of the coins which were thrown on the stage, sometimes dangerously near the Queen, tho sum of £4 was collected. Mr. M'Laren also auctioned a Shetland shawl, a beautiful pieceof work done by an old lady of eighty-five years of ago, who was anxious to do her share for the soldiers and sailors. This brought in the sum of £2_ 10s. A programme of songs, recitations, and instrumental music was contributed by Misses Eileen Marsh, Petrie, M'Geo, Lina Hickey, and Master Winston SFCarthy, the. youthful Harry Lauder, who simply captivated the audience with his irresistible performances of "Roamin' in the Gloamin'" and a "AVee Deoch an'

Doris." Miss Evelyn Marsh gave a fancy dance, and the Working Slen'a Club Orchestra played selections during tlio whole of the afternoon under the leadership of Mr. W. J. Smith, in the absence of Mr. M'Glasban, their con* tributions being much enjoyed. Lady, Stout was among those who were pre* sent. Wedding at Carterton. At St. Mark's Church, Carterton, on Wednesday last, Miss Marion Louisa Knox, second daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Knox, of Sydney, was married to Air. Frank Daysh, second son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Daysh, of West 'J'aratahi. The bride was given away by Mr. J. M'Lean, of Carrincton, ana wore a gown of white corded silk, trimmed with shadow laoe and pearls, made with a court tiain, finished with a true lovers' knot of satin ribbon. Sha also wore a veil and orange blossoms, and carried a shower bouquet of heather, white jonquils and maidenhair fern. The train was carried by little Edna M'Lean, niece of the bridegroom. Miss Alice Blanchard, of Sydney, attended as bridesmaid, and Mr. W. Daysh was best man. The Rev. It. Young wis the officiating minister, and a reception woa held later at Lorenzen's tea rooms. Wedding at Convllle, The wedding took place on Thursday, in the Gonville Anglican Church of Miss Izie Winifred Wilford, youicest - daughter of the late Dr. Wilford, to Arthur F. Harding, son of Dr.TL Harding, of Radnor, Wales. The brice- ■: groom will be remembered as liavinj.-juC' toured New Zealand some years ageswith the Anglo-Welsh Rugby team, of v which ho was captain. The Ven. Arch, sc deacon Reeve performed the ceremony, ■„ and Mr. Gordon M'Beth played the organ. The brido, who was given away, by her brother, Mr. T. "Wilford, M.P., wore a gown of white crepe do chine, trimmed with silver filet lace and a white hat lined with violet and wreathed with a white ostrich feather. Her niece. Miss Isabel Wilford, and the Misses Nancy Wilson and Jessica Saunders were bridesmaids, and Mr. ,W. Bat* ley was best man. ■» Children's Effort for the Soldiers. Children are still working very hard for the soldiers, one of their, latest efforts being a most enjoyable concert organised by Rene Ramsay, which was held in St. James's Hall, South Wellington, on Thursday last. Those taking part were all under the ago of IS years, and it is to their credit that they gave such an excellent entertainment. The performers were: Misses Eunice and Audrey Rockstrow, Misses Mona and Una Castle, Misses Rene, Enid, and Olive Ramsay, and Masters Stuart and lan Ramsay. The 6inging of "Tipperary" by lan Ramsay resulted in tha sum of 13s. bei»g_ thrown on the stage.; The piano was kindly lent by Messrs. H. Nimmo and Son. The Rev. W. Sliirer presided, and at the close of tho concert Captain Rockstrow 'ohmied thanks to the performers on behalf of the soldiers' candidate, for whom the concert ivas organised. During the evening home-mado sweets were sold by Misse3 Edna Gilbert and Dora Ramsay, and Masters Douglas and Alan Ramsay. Master Gordon Aston acted as doorkeeper. The nett proceeds realised tli6 very satisfactory sum of £5 6d. upon the Queen (Miss Doughty). Mr. and Miss Pinkerton, who hars been touring New Zealand, left Welt ington on Friday for Sydney, en route for America. ' Mrs. Marmaduke Bethell (Pahau Pas* • tures, Canterbury) returned to the south, last week from a visit to the Wairarapa, (Continued on nest page.)

!Tho Coronation of the Queen. On Saturday afternoon a final rehearsal of tlio Coronation of tho Carnival .Queen was held in the Town Hall, and' even then, though much was left to the imagination, it was easily seen liow imposing and dignified, as well as most picturesque, tho ceremony which is to take placo this evening will be. An excellent view of the whole of the proceedings s-hould bo obtainable from every pare of tho hall as tho procession .will pass down and up tho aislos and on to the stage. The dresses which are !to be. worn by tho Queen and her ladies-in-waiting are exceedingly beautiful, the colouring bearing out, though in a modified degree, the colours of the rival candidates, while the pages and attendant § roups will also be in keeping. The resses are all of white materials, but it 16 in the trains of the ladies and the coats of tho pages that free rein is given to the artistic taste of Mrs. James Hannah, who, as Mistress of the Robes, lias had the designing and choosing of the dresses and the arranging of extra groups beyond the official part -of the ceremony. With fourteen candidates as maids of honour, with their attendant •pages, to say nothing of other groups, at may be imagined that the procession .will be a long and very stately one, .while the whole, spectacle should form joue of the most imposing that has ever "taken place in the City. Respirators for the Soldiers. During the past few days, since Thursday last in fact, some of the mem-, bers of the St. John Ambulance Nursing Division, in answer to the appeal made by Mrs. Moorhouse (at the instigation of Airs. Arthur Pearoe), have been Riving their whole-hearted attention to the making of respirators for the protection of the soldiers against the use of poisonous gas by the enemy. In the short time that has elapsed since then about 487 respirators have been, made, and with what Hastings is doing, •>?istchurch. and Dunedin, a large nber is expected to come to hand by • onday. At Khandallah a working . «rty' organised by Miss Morris is makMfi close upon two hundred, in Wellington itself there have been several working parties engaged during the past week upon this very necessary protection for the troops. The pattern, which they are following has been taken from a war journal! and is approved .by the Hon. Colonel Collins. While simply made, it needs exact measurements to Answer the purpose. The numbers of three unclaimed (rattles, which were; held in connection .with the St. John Ambulance Stall at the Carnival bazaar, axe as follow: — Green vase, 104; Japanese plaque, 63; branze tray, 226. Winner's, on presenting tickets, will obtain their prizes from Mrs. Moorhouse, 134; Dixon Street. Through the kindness of Misß Knight 'the flags decorating the Town Hall on the occasion of the graduates' ceremony last Friday evening were lent to the college authorities by R. S. Knight and Co.. of Herbert Street, Wellington. Mrs. Nelson George, who has been the' guest of Major and Mrs. Gascoigne, Hastings, left for Auckland on Thursday.

Miss Lonergan, of Palmerston North, lias been appointed district nurse under the Waijarapa Hospital and Charitable '• 'Aid Board. Miss Lonergan will be located' at Eketahuua, in place of Nurse : Nickless. who will be stationed at Masterton.'

•Archdeacon and Mrs. Jacobs (Christchurch) are spending a few weeks in Napier.

Miss M. Campbell (of Awahuri), who Jwas recently thrown from her horse and rendered unconscious, though still suffering from shock and severo _ bruises, js reported to be making a satisfactory Recovery. - , '

Miss Amy Moss is visiting Feilding.

Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Rutherford, who jiave been visiting fiotorua, returned to .Oiristcburch on Saturday by the iWaiine.

Mrs. Dennis lon (Christchurch) is at Miss Malcolm's.

Dr. and Mrs. Martin, of Palmerston iNorth. arrived in Auckland by the Niagara yesterday. The Mayor of Palmerston is arranging for an official welcome.

Saturday .afternoon was not an ideal flay for such a ceremony as the unveiling of the statue of the late Mr. Sed'don. and umbrellas, always very inconvenient things when numbers of people ere together, were greatly in requisition. Among those who were present were: Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool, Mrs. W. F. Massey and Miss Massey, Mrs. Seddon, Miss Seddon, Mrs. Bean, Mrs. Dyer, Lady Ward, the Mayoress, Mrs. J. P. Luke, some of the Ministers and their wives, as well as members of the Upper and Lower Houses of the Legislature and their wives.