WEDDING POSTPONED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21999, 4 January 1935, Page 11

WEDDING POSTPONED

DRAMATIC INTERRUPTION

RIVAL MINISTER ARRIVES

SCENE AT MAORI GATHERING

[by telegraph—owx correspondent] TE KUITI, Thursday

The celebration of a wedding between a niece of Princess To Puea and a member of a leading native family of this district, arranged to take place at Hangatiki on New Year's Day, had to bo postponed indefinitely owing to differences of opinion as to who should conduct the service.

About 500 guests had assembled for the wedding and the usual feast. The bridal party arrived at the appointed hour, attired in nativo mats and headdresses and received a tribal welcome according to the native custom. The ceremony was to have followed the welcome and it had been arranged for it to be solemnised according to the rites of the Methodist Church, of which tho bride is a member. When ihe local native Methodist minister was about to take his place, however, he found himself suddenly forestalled by a minister of the Ratana Church, clad in purplo robes and attended by a choir of Maori maidens. The deep silenco which fell was broken by the grandfather of the bride, who made a dramatic protest against the interruption and concluded by refusing to give the bride away unless the service was conducted as arranged. The bridegroom, who belongs to the Ratana Church, suggested that the wishes of the grandfather should be respected and tho service conducted by the Methodist minister, but the Ratana party remained immovable.

Then followed it long debate, during which it was suggested In' some of the old people that the ceremony should be carried out by the chief, according to ancient tradition. It was also suggested thai an Anglican minister who was present should conduct the service, and some of the younger generation suggested a journey to the registry office at Te Kuiti.

Throughout the afternoon the position was discussed by various groups, and an announcement was finally made that the wedding ceremony was postponed indefinitely. The, Patana minister conducted a religious service, those present joining in. During the afternoon the feast proceeded, even though there was no wedding. The three-tier wedding cake was cut and portions distributed among the gathering.

BRIDEGROOM MISSING

CAR FOUND ABANDONED

WEDDING GUESTS GO HOME [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION*] STRATFORD, Thursday A bridegroom, Stanley Tl:otna§ Newland, aged 22, disappeared yesterday from Midhirst while the guests were waiting at the Stratford Presbyterian Church for his wedding ceremony, timed to take place at 11. o'clock. At 10 o'clock he could not be found, and his car was discovered abandoned in Beaconsfield Road.

After breakfast the young mart drove to Midhirst, where he remained for an hour, but after leaving the village all trace of him was lost. The police were informed and a thorough search was made, but without result. Several guests in the meantime had arrived at the church, but the bride had not left her home. The minister, the Rev. J. McGregor, learning that the bridegroom was missing, had telephoned to the bride ( suggesting that the wedding be delayed for an hour. Later the guests went home.