SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4884, 16 November 1876, Page 3

SOCIAL GATHERINGS.

Mr. Sealey, for so long Resident Magistrate at Napier, sat on the Bench for the last time on Nov. 4th. About ten justices' attended to bid him farewell. Mr. Rhodes was spokesman, and expressed in warm'terms the feelings of esteem in which Mr. Sealey was held,: and referred to the long -term he had been an efficient public officer. Mr. Sealey replied in suitable terms.

Tho annual district meeting of the Foresters Society was held on Oct. 27th. - Representatives from the .courts in Napier, Blenheim, and Wairarapa, as well as those of this city; were present. The report showed that there had been during the past year ah increase of four courts and 270 financial members. Tho accumulated .capital at present amounts to between £6OOO and £7OOO. Dispensation was granted to. open a new court in Gisborne, Poverty Bay.' Considerable time was devoted to the alteration of rules, and it was resolved that in future meetings should be held at 10 in tho morning, instead 6f in the evening as heretofore. The following officers were elected: District Chief Ranger, Mr. E. Tolly '; District Sub-Ranger, Mr. J. ; T. Bovis ; Treasurer, Mr. A. Whiteford, re-elected; Secretary, Mr.’-'Quin, also re-elected ; Beadle, Mr. T. MoAnley ; Auditors; Messrs. F. Cooper and A. V. Knapp. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring officers, and it-waS ■ resolved to increase the salary of the secretary to the extent of £lO. The meeting occupied a good deal of time, adjourning at 11 o'clock on Friday night and, meeting again on Saturday.

Married, at the English Church, Palmerston, on Monday, the 16th Oct., by the Rev. Henere Herekan, Maori minister, Horomona Paro te Riria Harepeka; Akuria Rewai to Abenota te Ra; Rariira te Awi Awi to Teripa Tere; Horimina Mutuaki to Heni te Umumaukena. It is hardly , necessary (says the Manawatu. Times) to explain after reading these names (and very pretty names they are), that they all belonged to the Maori race. The day was a brilliant one, and it was really a very pleasant and gratifying sight to witness the brides and bridesmaids—for they were in that respect well attended—mustered upon the green sward, in. company with their future lords. Forming into procession, they then wended their way to the church, attended by a large number of the inhabitants, and were received there by the Maori minister, Mr Henry. The dresses of the brides were exceedingly becoming to their dark complexions. They were attired in white muslin, trimmed with pink, or a similar bright color, and with hats of the latest fashion covered with flowers, over which the white veils gracefully drooped, Nor must we fail to notice the gay, but appropriate, attire of the bridegrooms,; who appeared supremely contented as they filed off in couples with their respective financi.es. After the ceremony—which lasted nearly an hour—was over, the afternoon was spent in promenading, and reclining upon tho grass on: the Square, where they formed very picturesque groups. As soon as darkness commenced, the > Foresters’ Hall was lighted up, and there the festivity was kept up until the small hours of the morning. There : were a large number of Maoris present from all parts of the! district to attend these weddings, which were pleasant to'witness as affording: a convincing proof of how much they are adopting our manners and customs. Everything was conducted with as much decorum as at one of our own weddings. We wish them all much happiness.