Omahu Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 490, 1 December 1897, Page 4

Omahu Notes.

[From oue owx Correspondent.] Yesterday, the 30th November. 18b7, or more properly evening will be long tvum-mb-ired a; r„ r.-d-lctier day by a great number of the friends of the Flaxmere family. An tho invitation of Mr Harold A. Russell, the employees of Flaxmere, Sherenden, and Tunanui met at the Fernhill Hotel to celebrate the happy occasion of his wedding. Precisely at 7 o'clock the gong sounded, summoning the guests to a spread that would have done credit to any board, and the seating accommodation of the two large dining-rooms was taxed to its utmost capacity. The im'nxi was an exceedingly long one, leaving nothing to be desired, and the party were unanimous on the magnificent manner in which they were treated. The caterer came in for a deal of praise. The seat of honor was ably filled by Mr Stewart Miller, the popular manager of Flaxmere, who, on behalf of Mr Harold Russell, thanked the guests for their presence. Mr Dunn, another very old Flaxmere employee, occupied the vice-chair. The following toasts were then proposed and responded to : " The Queen," " Royal Family," and " The Governor of New Zealand." The toast of the evening, " Mr H. A. Russell and his bride," was proposed in a very happy manner by Mr J. M. Campbell who, in the course of his short address, alluded to the worthy parents of the bride and groom, having had the honor of their acquaintance for a number of years, and wound up by trusting that the youthful couple whose health had just been proposed would follow in the footsteps of their progenitors. Mr Stewart Miller responded in a very eloquent manner. " The employers of Flaxmere, Tunanui, and Sherenden," coupled with the name of Mr S. Miller, the manager, was proposed by Mr Cleaver. Mr Miller responding. " The horny handed sons of toil — the employees on the joint estates," was proposed by Mr Campbell in his usual manner, and responded to by Mr T. Ramsay. " The parents and family of the bridegroom," was proposed by Mr Jones, and responded to by Mr Miller. This was the speech of the evening as the responder *said he could find no words that would express his feelings towards Captain and Mrs Russell. " Mr and Mrs Stewart Miller and family," was proposed by Mr Dunn. " The Press," coupled with the name of the Hastings Standard, was propropsed by Mr M'Xab and responded to by Yours of Onmhu, who gave them all to understand that the pen was mighter than the sword when it came to writing out a cheque. '.'The Hostess of the Fernhill Hotel," Mrs P. Ramsay, was proposed in a very feeling manner by Mr Cowper, who referred to the loss the district had sustained by the death of Mr P. Ramsay. This was responded to by Mr Tom Taylor. Several songs and rectiations were rendered during the evening, and a young lady, whose name I have not been able to ascertain, presided at the piano in a most artistic manner. Mr Editor, wishing to catch your first edition I very reluctantly had to drag myself myself away from a most enjoyable evening, and I sincerely trust that the young couple who have just launched their barque on life's stormy waters may at last reach the desired haven with as little knocking about as possible.