PERSONAL ITEMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10417, 15 April 1897, Page 6

PERSONAL ITEMS.

The Ri»hfc Rev. Bishop Wilson, of Melanesia, arrived trom Norfolk Island yesterday. The Earl of Dunmoro, who is on an Australian tour, has loft Sydney tor New Caledonia. Mr. George Hill, the well-known sporting man, died at hie residence at Little Coogee, Sydney, last week. Mr. Alfred H. White, who for the past twelve years has been connected with T. and S. Morrin and Co. (Limited), has reeigned his position with that firm to enter the services of Messrs. John Chamber! and Son. Mr. H. Thompson, land purchaser for the Public Works Department, who has just returned from an official visit to the Paeroa and Tβ Aroba districts, left last night for Whangarei. He will there inquire into the compensation claims for land taken for the last portion of the Whakapara section of railway. Nellie Hamilton, Queen and lasb remnant of tbe Queanbeyan tribe of aboriginiee, died on New Year's Day. Her dusky Majesty, who bad reached her sixtieth year, was no ordinary person. One by one she bad seen her subjects pass away to the Unknown, Three husbands, too, and every one of them a king, had preceded her to the grave. Her latter daye were provided for by the Government of New South Wales. It will be learned with regret that Captain James Bongard, of the Melanesian Mission yacht Southern Cross, is seriously ill. Last year Captain Bongard took fever and ague in the Islands, and though he recovered sufficiently to make the last voyage to the Islands, he was far from being well. On reaching Norfolk Island Captain Bongard was so ill that Bishop Wilson decided to return to Auckland, not considering it advisable that Captain Bongard should make the crnise through the Islands.

A FASHIONABLE WEDDING. St. Paul's Church, Symonda-street, was yesterday afternoon the scene of a very pretty and decidedly fashionable wedding. The parties to the marriage contract were Mr. Paul M. Hansen, son of Dr. Hansen, Chief Court Chaplain to the Duke of Sue* Coburg-Gotha (Duke of Edinburgh), and Miss Helen Francis Scherff, second daughter of Mr. Franz Scherff, oi Auckland. The Communion table at the cburcb bad been decorated with choice white asters by the bride's sisters and lady friende, and when the participants in the ceremony and the wedding party took their stand in front of the altar rails, the scene was a most effective and charming one. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. Canon Nelson, vicar of St. Paul's, and the bride, who wa» given away by her father, was handsomely and becomingly attired in a rich duchess eatin dress, with a long train, trimmed with orange blossoms, and surmounted with a rich lace trimmed veil. She carried a lovely bouquet of white flowers, and wore a valuable pearl brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. Her bridesmaids were her sister, Miss Constance Scherff, and Miss Rich, and they were dressed in pretty pink cosg. tomes, wearingat their throattcarbuncleand pearl brooches, also the gift of the groom. Mr. Mackellar acted as best man. When the wedding party entered the church the organist, Mr. Fhilpot, played Wagner's Wedding March, and at the conclusion of the ceremony Mendelssohn's wedding march. About 400 persons were present to witness the proceedings, the majority of whom had gained access to the church long before the hour for the commencement of the ceremony. At the conclusion the wedding party anil invited guests, to the number of nearly 200, adjourned to the residence of the bride's parents, "Glenaivon" (Symondsstreet), where a reception was held. BoUi tie exterior and interior of the house had been mosb artistically garnished with white flowers and greenery, the front entrance being converted into a pretty arch, from the centre of which was suspended a white floral bell, a similar arrangement being carried ont in the drawing room, the bride and groom standing under the itch while receiving their numerous guest*. The wedding gifts, in all about 150, were of the most costly description, and came from all quarters.. Amongst them were no less than six separate presents from the . guests residing at" Glenaivon;" and one,» handsome plated eggstand, from the house staff, the latter showing the esteem in which the bride and her family are held by their employees. At a.late stage in the afternoon the newly-wedded couple left en route 'for Rotorua, when they will spend their honeymoon. The' groom, Mr. Hansen, is well known in mining circles, being'connected with several important properties on ■ thtpouniuU. Y \ : :...a