Wanganui in Wisps.

Free Lance, Volume XVII, Issue 913, 11 January 1918, Page 5

Wanganui in Wisps.

"Dbak Chbistabel, — for the faint toots of a -"-** very few bugles, poor old 1917 -died a natural death and 1918 made his bow to a very quiet Wangairui. In some of the hill-top suburbs, parties ■of grown-up children did "first footing" and did it gaily and well, but there were no fire-bells, no big engines whistling, no motor-horns, no anything, to welcome the first stroke of twelve. Folk watched their clocks, thinking surely that they had run -ahead of Father Time and that the din • would start any moment. But, no, an uncanny hush seemed to have settled -over the place, and at something, past twelve the watchers realised that the point between olid and new had. been missed. Then there was a. rush to exchange the first greetings of the year, -and in an instant probably everyone's thoughts were with the soldier men. "What of them, what were they doing, when would It, that horrible ever-pre-sent It, come to an end? '•*"',■>* * •. * But to come back to reality. Why was everything so quiet? True the old .year had been for very many an extremely sad one; and, then another "thing, we established a record for so'hriefcy during these holidays, but what has the brand new, unknown year done to deserve such a reception —our beautiful year from which we all expect so much? No wonder it was hurt and wept copiously and blew fiercely most of the day.. So would anyone with any • spirit. * * * # Mr. Lionel Chamberlain arrived home early in the week and everyone Is delighted to see him looking so won- • -denftilly. game .and bright. Private Chamberlain was very baddy knocked about during the battle of the Somme, although he put up one of the best fights on record, there were times when his anxious friends feared the worst. However, what is left of him I is worth a whole army of deal men {with a few live ones thrown in), and it is good to have him back among us. * - *■■■». » Lieut. J. Langridge, Main Body, and Miss Flora Sutherland, daughter of the • late Mr. Sutherland, _ "Craigielea," . were married at Trinity Wesleyan <3hui*ch on Thursday, 27th- December. On, account of recent bereavements, iihe wedding was a very quiet one, only the immediate relatives of the bride and bridegroom being present. " After the briefest of honeymoons, Lieut. Langridge rejoined his men and sailed away frpm his young bride. «■".,*'- «• * • Another military wedding of interest was that of StafE-Sergt.-Major W. D. Johns and Miss Aileen Bowater, both of Gonville. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. H. Blamires, late Captain-Chaplain of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces. The bride "was daintily frocked in white crepe de chine, and wore a veil and orange frlos■soms. The two bridesmaids, the Misses Bowater, sister and cousin of the bride, wore pink crepe dresses and black hats. The best man was: Sergt.Major. R. W. Edwards and Corp. E. Bowater was groomsman. As both families are well" known a great many guests assembled for the breakfast at "the residence of the bride's parents, and the presents and good wishes were

indeed numerous. Mrs. Johns slaughtered the wedding cake with her husband's sword. * * * * Wangairui is extra proud these days for three of her boys, Surgeon-Captain F. N.. Johns, Captain Norman Annabell, and Lieut. H. M. Keesing have been decorated in one hit, all three having won the Military Cross. Their names came out together in the New Year Honours' List.

Such a romantic marriage took place not 100 miles from here during the holidays. It was nearly a Gretna Green affair. Rumour hath it that everything was practically harnessed waiting for the little bride-to-be. fo murmur "Yes." The instant she did this, every thing fell into place, like unto an automatic fire-brigade arrangement, and she was whisked off to the church. The necessary fathers and mothers, best man, and usual etceteras

were called up on the telephone, and in no time Mr. and Mrs. Blank, looking most matter of fact, arrived., at a, friend's house to make a morning calL ■"■■. That was no good .to their . yoiing - friends; so, like the fable of old, they followed a peculiar footprint, belonging to a car in' which many, of>.them had tasted the joys of motoring, and>; traced the culprits. After advising thehostess of the importance of the occa->; sion they got to work. The rest you can confetti, and a • : brave soldier, who, for the first time in his life, turned his broad back to the foe in a wild endeavour .to shelter his ; new-made bride. " *' •■ * * * : Mr. and Mrs. L. T. Watkin, Harri- - son-street, have gone to Napier for a few weeks. . .-.-.' o » »"'..» '■'■-,'. Mrs. M. Mellish ; and Mr. George; Mellish, Wellington, spent the Christmas holidays here and have now returned to their 'home. - Mr. Mellish, who has made many endeavours to be a sdldier,. but whose health has not J been of the best, goes into camp in the New Year. . The fighting- stock from which he comes will not allow him to say die, and bis Wanganui friends' -'■ wish George the best of luck. * * ■ ' ■«• •■.»■.■;■.;'..''• Miss I. Stevenson, * Bell-street, has returned from a short holiday spent in Palmerston North. ~ * - * * ' •». " Inspector and Mrs. Hendrey have received word that their youngest son, ■ Lance-Corporal W. E. Hendrey, has died from wounds received while in action. Yours sincerely, WKERIiWIND. -.'■""