UNIQUE NATIVE WEDDING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6871, 15 July 1909, Page 4

UNIQUE NATIVE WEDDING

GREAT GATHERING OP MAORIS AND PAKEHiAS. TE TAIT—TE ATDA. SPECIAL TO THE " TIMES.*’ MASTBRTON, July 14. An event to-day of considerable social interest amongst the Maoris oj iWairarapa and Hkw'ke’s Bay ivas the marriage of two young Maori personages, well known and very popular in their respective districts. Mr Wiremu Kingi To Tau was the bridegroom. Ho is tho son of Mr Taiwhaio To Tau, the well-known localchieftain, familiar in sporting, particularly in trotting, circles. The bride. Miss To Haumihiata Te Atua, is well known for her extreme beauty and gifted vocalism. She is the daughter of'Mr Kenare Te Atua, cf Porougahau. The latter is a wellknown and influential resident of Hawke’s Bay, and, in consequence, there was a representative attendance. of visitors from that district. Tho event had been looked forward to in Mastorton for some time. It will favoured with lovely weather—a very ■oasis in a desert of wintry days. St. Matthew’s Church was crowded to overflowing, while the streets outside the church were filled with interested spectators. Carriages were_ at a premium during the, morning, while motor oars were also very prominent in the vicinity of the church. _ The Maoris regarded the function in (a- very important light, as it muted Wo distant tribes by a bond which Maoris hold m great reverence, and in consequence the ceremony-was the occasion of a display of Maori opulence probably not seen before in Mas ter ton. The dresses worn by the ,

women folk can only ho described as magnificent, while top hats and frock coats were the rule with the men.

The bride, who was given away by her father, looked very becoming in a gown of rich white pailette silk with lace and silver trimmings; she also wore the orthodox veil and orange blossoms, and carried a magnificent shower bouquet. Attending her were Misses Waimaramn and I). Te Tau, Q. To Tau and Rosie Tutaki as bridesmaids, and Masters Edward Te Tau and Willie Rautu as pages. Mr J. To Atua (brother of the bride) was best man and Mr William Thompson groomsman. Misses Waimarama and D. Te Tau wore attired in eau do nil green silk taffetas frocks trimmed with cream silk lacc, with hats to match, and carried shower bouquets touched with autumn foliage. Misses Q. To Tau and L. Tutaki wore pink silk taffetas gowns and carried crooks with ribbon streamers, and the pages, Masters E. To Tau and W. Rautu, had Lord Fontleroy suits of white silk corduroy velvet. Mrs To Tau, mother of the bridegroom, wore a handsome black silk glace gown with a smart rose-pink hat, and Miss Ke Hau, cousin of tho bride, blue silk, w:j:h large black hat. The bridegroom’s present to tho bride was a diamond and sapphire ring, to the bridesmaids gold and greenstone brooches, to the best man and groomsman gold and greenstone pendants, and to the pages greenstone lucky beans on pins. A reception was held in the largo meeting house at Te Ore Ore, where a dance was also held last night. The popularity of the young couple was testified by the large number of costly and useful presents received by them. Tho Revs. Williams (of Gisborne) and If. Watson (Masterton) were the officiating clergymen. The lioneymoon will be spent in Wellington, after which Mr and Mrs To Tau leave for their future homo at Porangahau. The presence of many prominent local pakehas was a feature of the wedding. Conspicuous among these at the reception at the pa were Mr and Mrs H. Beetham (Branoepeth), Messrs D. and A. Hosking, Mr R,. F. R Beetham, Mrs W. H. H. Hoskino- Mr and Mrs J. P. Perry, the Revr and Mrs Watson, and Mr and Mrs M. C. 0 Connell.