SOCIAL NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18642, 25 February 1924, Page 12

SOCIAL NEWS.

Mr. and Mrs. Hammond, of Hamilton, are staying at Mon Desir, Takapuna. Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Mouat. of Wellington, have taken up their residence in Auckland. Mr. and Mrs. Andrew M. Paterson leave by the Niagara on Friday on a holiday visit to Australia. Mrs. William Mackay, of Karori Wellington, is visiting her mother at St. Hehers Bay, Auckland. Mrs Noel Adams, who has been visiting in the South, has returned to Wharekawa Station, accompanied by Miss. Clark, of Blenheim. Mrs H. T. Merritt, who, with her family, has been on a visit to England, sailed by the Orsova on February 2, on her return to Auckland. The engagement is announced of Miss Grace McNeil, second youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. H. McNeil, Coromandel, to Mr. T. Brennan, of Auckland. Miss Cecilia John, English representative for Australia and New Zealand[of , the "Save the Children Fund,' "visiting Wellington, and is the guest of Mrs. J. W- Staples. Among the visitors staying at the Grand Hotel are Mis. Bennett and Miss Bennett, of Blenheim. Miss Mouat, Blenheim, Mrs. H. Read, and Mrs. Burroughs and Miss Burroughs, of Sydney. The engagement is announced of Miss Ena Fletcher, youngest daughter of Mrs E. Fletcher, of Waimauku, Kaipara, and the late James Fletcher. Northern Wairoa to Mr. A. W. Edwards, youngest son of Mr.' and Mrs. A. W. Edwards, of Ngapuhi, Kaikohe. Miss Kathleen Shackleton, sister of the late Sir Ernest Shackleton is a wellknown figure in Fleet Street London where she does clever caricatures and studies of literary and other celebrities for the press. She also writes occasional short stories. The Duchess of Atholl, M.P., belongs to a family of great scholastic attainment. Her father. Sir James Ramsay, is an historian whose work has mainly been concerned with medieval England. One Ot her sisters was a senior classic, and married Montague Butler, the famous Master of Trinity. Mr. Butler's sons one of whom was toe unsuccessful candidate tor Cambridge University at the recent elections, have inherited the family talent. The Duchess of Atholl herself is an author. An address of interest to Victoria League members and others was given at the league's rooms, Shortland Street, by the Rev. Harry Johnson, Anglican clergyman, of Northern Wairoa, on the conditions of the isolated settlers living in the ; back-blocks parts of his huge district. Much useful information was gained for the ' league's work of sending books and magazines to the isolated back-blocks settlers, and schools which work has carried on _ since its inception, 14 y<iars ago. The address was followed with much interest, r.nd one realised something of ( the noble life and bravery of the women, whose lives are largely spent in out-of-the-way places. Most interesting was the description of the. way children were gathered from scattered settlements .into on© centre, and there entertained for a day with games, competitions, and interesting talks about the great things of life. It seemed strange to realise how much a parcel of literature, or a bright, newsy letter, must mean to the settlers who live in these isolated districts.

A wedding of much interest was celebrated at St. Mary's Church, Levin, on Wednesday, when Sybil, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Wright, of Nga Nikau, Gladstone Road, Levin, was married to John, eldest son of Mr. W. D. Hunt, of Wellington. The Rev. J. C Davies officiated.. The bride, who was given away by her father, looked charming in a frock of white taffeta broche, with pearl ornaments. _ She wore the customary veil and orange" blossoms and carried a bouquet of white and pink roses. The veil, which was. of very old Limerick lace, is a family heirloom. The bridesmaids, who were Miss Wright, Miss Winsome Wright, Miss Mary Cameron (of Moeraki, Masiorton),, and Miss True Wright (of Ajley, Hastings), wore pale pink frocks of early Victorian design and carried small licaquets to match of pink rosebuds and carnations. Mr. J. Haslett. InvercargTll, was best man, and Mr. T. Wright, groomsman. .rTiie;..church was •prettily decorated with pink roses and heliotrope-.by [ friends of the bride, a conspicuous feature being a beautiful floral bell suspended over the chancel. After the ceremony; a reception was held at the residence of the bride's, parents, about 100 guests being present. .The happy couple afterwards left by motor for Wellington, the bride's travelling costume being a brocaded -marocain, trimmed with brown fur and hat en • suite. *