PALMERSTON NORTH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 879, 4 January 1889, Page 29

PALMERSTON NORTH.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.! December 26. All-Saints’ Church was crowded on Monday to witness the marriage of Ko Rangi Haruru (son of Taeharua Koraka, of the Wanganui tribe, and a nephew of the celebrated Major Kemp), with Ko Terangimarie te Awe Awe (daughter of Harry Larkin, of the Rangitaani tribe, and granddaughter of our neighbouring chief Hoani Meihana). At the same time and place were also married Honi Keeti (John Gage), half-caste of the Ngatikahata tribe, and Rapora te Puni, daughter of the Chief Puni, of the Ngatiawa tribe, wdo died lately near Wellington. The wedding party arrived from Awapuni in covered conveyances at 11.30, and formed, on entering the church, an in teresting procession, the brides, with their respective bridesmaids (thirteen in number), being attired in white, with veils and wreaths of orange blossoms, one tiny little lady bearing the train of the principal bride. As previously intimated would be the case, the ceremony was conducted by the Rev. James McWilliams, of Otaki, who read the marriage service of the Church of England in the Maori language, the Natives present giving the responsesvery earnestly and with one accord. A third couple were united at Awapuni on the same day, viz., Taitoke te Matai, son of We Matai of the Rangitaani tribe, and Erina te Puihi, daughter of Hoani Puihi of the Noapoto tribe. The bridal parties met again at Awapuni, where a sumptuous repast was served at the large meeting house in excellent English style. Several Palmerston residents were present by invitation. Among others I observed Mr and Mrs G. M. Snelson, Mr and Mrs Linton and family, Mrs Janies Bell, and Mrs Marriner, Mr F. Luxford, Mr and Mrs Ferguson, Dr Rockstrow, and others. To describe the banquet fully would occupy too much of your space. I may say, however, the provisions, consisting of roast beef, with an unlimited number of turkeys, geese, sucking pigs, followed by plum puddings, pastry, jellies, &c., &c., were all beautifully cooked and served with much taste at tables accommodating about 100 at each sitting. Three magnificent bride cakes were placed at the head of the tables opposite the happy couple, and several others in various places. The proceedings were commenced by Hoani Meihana, who presided, asking a blessing, wishing those present a good appetite, and desiring all to remember that what they saw hefore them was sent .by the Giver of all good. The greatest kindness and hospitality was shown to the visitors, one of whom made some appropriate remarks, which were received with great applause and evident appreciation. A small cottage near the fellmongery was destroyed by fire on Monday afternoon, and there was another alarm during the time of evening service yesterday, but the cause was only a foul chimney which had ignited, the danger being over in a few minutes. December 2 /. Christmas week has been quite eventful in the way of weddings in Palmerston. I have now to report the marriage of Mr W. Rawlings, jun., son of our respected townsman Mr W. Rawlings, plumber, to Miss Jane Patterson, a Christchurch lady, which took place on Christmas Day at the Presbyterian Church, the ceremony being conducted by the Rev A. M.

Wright. Another wedding, that of Mr Godfrey settler of Stoney Creek, with Miss Matilda Nelson, of this town, took place yesterday, at the office of the Registrar, Mr R. N. Keeling. The happy couples have the best wishes of the community. December 28'. The gift auction held at the Theatre? Royal on Boxing night, in aid of the fund for erecting new Sunday schools in connection with All Saint’s Church, proved very successful, and left a substantial balance for the furtherance of the work in hand. For this success the Rev B. B. Harvey, the churchwardens, and. the? vestry are greatly indebted to the ladies of the guild, and others, who have so heartily given their services as to secure such a satisfactory result in so short, a time. A. gift auction is something quite new here, and attracted a very considerable gathering, who bid briskly for the various goods and chattels offered, which consisted of articles of furniture (useful and ornamental), confectionery, &c. —in short, pretty much the sorb of stock-in-trade one sees at ordinary church bazaars, beside live stock, such as sheep, poultry, foe , all contributed by members of the congregation* A handsome and well decorated Christmas tree formed an important feature in the affair, and afforded great delight to the young folk, of whom there were a goodly show. This department was presided over by Mrs Clapperton, assisted by Misa Bell, Miss Lloyd, and MusG. Lloyd. Mrp Snelson did a great stroke of business at the bran tub, and Mrs W. H. Smith and MrsF. Bryant, aided by Miss Waldegravo and Miss Mowbray, dispensed a gfloa store of most tempting refreshments to all and sundry. Mr G. M. Snelson kindly officiated as auctioneer, and the pupils of Miss Skerman, under that lady’s direction, enlivened the-- proceedings by playing several excellent piauoforte selections during the evening. Last evening, in aid of the same object, Mr Robert Parker, of Wellington, with his glee party, composed of Messrs C. Hickson, J. E. Page, F. Y. Waters, and A. Gray, together with Mrs Arthur E. Russell, of Te Matai, and Miss Williams, of Wellington, and an orchestra made up of Messrs J. M. Cohen and J. F. R. Isherwocd (violin), G. J. Scott (flute), and A. Drew double bass, gave a most enjoyable concert, which also passed off most successfully. Although the attendance in the second seats was from various causes somewhat smaller than such an array of talent ought to have commanded, the reserved’ scats wore crowded by a most appreciative audience, who must have been indeed hard to please had they failed to enjoy the bill of fare provided. The concert opened with the overture to “The Barber of Seville ” by our local amateurs, assisted by Miss Williams and Mr Parker. This was followed by the Christmas carols, “The first Nowel ” and “Good King Wenceslas,” by the glee party, which went very well indeed. The good old Orpheus glee, “Evening,” and “Stars of the summer night,” were most admirably given and thoroughly enjoyed. Mrs A. E. Russell sang “The banks of Allan water ” with much expression, after which Messrs Page and Waters gave “ The magician ” (duet) in good style. Mr Cohen played, as a violin solo, a “ Bolero ” by Erauz in most masterly fashion, and the first part concluded with the glee “ The Tar’s sonir,” which was considered by many to be the gem of the evening. In the second part Miss Williams and Mr Parker gave, as a piano duet, Brahm’s “ Hungarian

this, being favoured with a very fine day, and consequently obtaining a crowd of people. A long and varied programme was successfully put through, the most interesting event being Dick Turpin’s ride to York, in Whitih Mr E. Hughes reuresenfced Dick, and, with ten seconds’ start,kept clear ahead of all his pursuers. It uas feared that some accidents would happen in this event from horses crowding, but luckily none did do so. The Fire Brigade had challenged the world for a tug of war, and showed they had not been boasting, for they won two matches. Some dissatisfaction was caused by the fact of a publican’s booth being on the ground. A party of teetotallers had a picnic down to the Manawatu, where they enjoyed themselves. lam told the fire brigade cleared about L3O.

Some changes have taken place in the "Volunteer corps. Mr F. Russoll has been elected captain, and Mr James Macdonald, formerly a sergeant of the corps, lieutenant. There is still a vacant lieutentancy. Captain Russell informed the company lately that a ball would be held in the beginning of March, and that Colonels Butts and Crowe, Major Loveday, and other Wellington officers had promised him to come up to it. This will be a red-letter day in the history of the corps, as it has never had an outside officer present at any of its festivities yet. The contractor for tho school additions is makiug good progress with his work, but the addition is. miserably insufficient and in twelve months will need extension. The copper mines seem to be doing well now. For a long time it was a case of expecting and hoping, pegging away at the drive to try and get at results. But a large parcel of ore has been sent to Napier—about five tons of it, I believe, and although the teat has been very rough from want of proper appliances, the results have been highly satisfactory, and the future of the mine as a field of work is pretty well assured. Mr Troup’s scheme of a freezing and cooling works on the railway station has been thwarted by the fact of the Borough Council being unable to grant a slaughtering license within the borough. It was suggested that the portion of land required for the works should be cut out of the borough, but this appears to be impracticable. Mr Troup is trying to see if he can get land outside the boundary and by the railway station. It is to be hoped he will be successful.