PERSONAL.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2786, 27 September 1910, Page 4

PERSONAL.

The funeral of the late Mrs Walter Searle took place last Thursday. The first part of the obsequies was taken in the Church of England whence the coffin had been brought direct from the steamer the night before. The service, which was of a very solemD nature, included two appropriate hymns for the dead. The Dead March in Saul was also played by the organist as the coffin was borne out of the church. The deceased, it should be stated, was a very ardent church woman and bestowed many valuable gifts on the church here and elsewhere. The coffin, which was covered with many beautiful wreaths was removed from the sacred edifice to the hearse by the local Masonic fraternity, who acted as pall bearers and who also bore it from the hearse to the grave. This was the express wish of the Masonic body, who were enabled in this manner to show their last token of , respect for the wife of a much esteemed brother. The burial service at the grave | as well as in the church was impressively conducted by the Rev. H. Packe. Sine* announcing the death in last issue we learn that the late Mrs Searle passed away suddenly in bed early on Sunday morning, 18th inst., through heart weakness. Deceased lady was 65 years of age, a native of Hull, Yorkshire, England, and came to the Dominion with her husband in 1876. By her demise three generations have passed from this transitory life in the space of six years. The late Mrs Searle was for many years hostess of the old Prince of Wales Hotel, Invercargill, and later of the Albion and Eichardt's. Mr Searle desires to express his deep gratitude to the Railway Department for the great care taken in transporting the body to Queenstown from Ohristchurch and also to all kind friends for the genuine sympathy manifested for him in his sudden bereavement.

In the course of his reply to the toast, " Army, Navy, and Territorial Forces," at the Farmers' Union dinner at Wyndham last week, Captain Porter, O.C. Murihiku Mounteds, said his one regret arising over the new Defence system that had been introduced into the Dominion was that ho, after so many years of active Volunteer service, would be debarred, owing to the age limit, from further holding office. Extrooper E. G. Macpherson, who also replied to the toast, said it would indeed be deplorable were the Dominion, and the Wyndham district in particular, to lose the services of such an able and enthusiastic officer as Captain Porter was known to be, especially as he was endowed with a physique and activity superior to many much younger men. But there are exceptions to every rule, and he (the speaker) had been informed on what he regarded as excellent authority that the Defence authorities fully intended to retain the services of all officers over the present age limit whoso general fitness entitled them to such consideration —and he felt sure that the name of Captain Porter would be included in such a list.— (Applause)—' Farmer.' A quiet and very pretty wedding took place at '• Strathmerton," Wollongong, New South Wales, the home of Mr and Mrs J. Le Liovre, on August 31, when Earl, thoir only sou, was married to Rubena, youngest daughter of Mrs A. E. Anderson, of Queenstown, New Zealand. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. John Thomas, of Dapto, The brido was attired in a becoming gown of Saxe-blue, panel front, and wore a large hat to match. The bride was attended by Miss Le Lievre, who wore a dress of cream striped ninon and a large black chip straw hat, with large black feathers. She canied a bouquot of carnations and roses and wore a gold bangle, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr J. W. Beacon acted as best man. The wedding gifts were numerous, including several cheques, and a case of cutlery from the bridegroom's fellow employees. At the wedding breakfast, which was sumptuously prepared, the usual toasts were honored. The happy couple left for the Blue Mountains by tho afternoon train, amid showers of confetti, and with the hearty congratulations and best wishes of the company.—' South Coast Times.'

Mr D. McLeod, formerly Inspector o Stock in this district, is on a short visi' to Queenstown with his wife prior to tak iug his departure for Australia.