LADIES' GOSSIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2293, 10 February 1898, Page 43

LADIES' GOSSIP.

• . • A couple of dozen youKg woman aad men of Galve»ton are responsible for a unique idea, in bicycling. The company is tariaed tho " bicycle bsll lingers," sad it spracg isto exisfesee after the passage of the ordinance requiring riders to Carry lamps aad to ring bells at all street crossings. These bicyclists have fitted their machines with lamps of different huss and wij/b. bells of different tones. Tue idea is to comply stricdy with the law, and at the same time ro have a little LhcatiicAl effect. Tha object; of the law beiug to have cyclists gi?e aolica of their comuig, that o&jecfc will certainly be attained in the case of the "bicycle bell ricgers," for their approach is made known by the ringing out of sweet music.

• . • It is officially announced that Tuesday, September 6, 1898, has been fixed upon as the day when Queen Wiihelmina will take the oath of accession in tho new church of Amsterdam.

' . • The Qaeen is vory fond of curry, and this dish appears on the royal table" sometimes two or three times in a week. It is prepared specially by an Indian cook brought ovar for the purpose. Nectarines are her Majesty's favourite fruit.

1 . • It is a law in the nursery of the Royal House of York that the young princes Bhould pick up their own toys (says one who assumes

jm-iMji— M.UfcH.W UlTiliiww mm ■■rWfcr*fTtt»m*« -*rwr i ii i — nuntrT to know), and it is very strictly enforced by the royal nurses in deference to the instructions of the Duchess. At Balmoral recently little Prince Edward had been spending ths morning with his great-grandmother, tha Qaeen. When his nurse arrived to take him back to his apartment she glanced at tli9 floor, which was stewn with bricks and lead soldiers. But Prince Edward was noe inclined to pick up his toys that day, and stood irresolute for a few momants with his finger in his moutb. At last a happy thought seemed to strike him, and turning to the Queen he pointed at her and exclaimed in a tone half of entreaty, half of command, " You help me to pick up the toys." • . ■ Arsenic eaters there are who indulge ia the habit in order to improve their complexions. Still commoner among women is the undesirable practice of eating camphor ia order to attain a similar reault. The ultimate effect in both cases is the production of a deathly pallor. • . • Attenuated shoulders are quite easily corrected if their possessor has the patience to carry out a systematic course of exerciae. Light dumb-bells or the skipping ropa may be recommended for the purpose. Practising every day eyen for a week will produce a marked diffsrence. • . • The modern girl is nob happy unless ahe is wearing half a dozen charms, bestowed upon her by various dearest friends. A hogwood pig with ruby eyes, a four-leafed shamrock in a gold-rimmed case, a sixpencs riddled with a gem, and a hundred other quaint conceits are to be seen at every jeweller's aa " lucky charms." The idsa is a pretty one, and shows the growing lova for the poetic and mystic in our practical country. Perhaps the moat favourite ornaments of the moment are ring?. We thiak tbey must be considered quite the best beloved gewgaws of the feminine sex; whereas a few years ago it was considered bad tasts to sport more ihan three or four upon tha hands, the smart vroaiac to-day can put on a dozen. — The Lady's Realm. • . • The practice of having each member of the family photographed once a year is one that is steadily spreading. Very interesting are many of the collections thus formed. Already some go back 20 or 30 years. • . • For the windy weather of autumn a • cycling ekirt of fairly heavy material is more convenient than the lighter summer wear. All cycling skirts should be silk lined ; but; if economy has to be observed, only the front width need be so treated. The silk prevents the skirt from coming up as the knees move beneath it. • . • Princess Henry of Battecburg is evidently coming out from her long retirement sad is about to resume the good work for which she was so well and gratefully .known before h«r bereavement. This is indicated by the fact that recently she granted her patronage to and took several tickets for & concert at the Albert Institute, Windsor, in . aid of St. Augustine's Home ior Orphan Boys. • . • Bt'glk-h perambulators and mail carts are often sent abroad, as well as English carriage?. Royal houses all over the world send orders Home for these vehicles for babies. From £10 to £20 ia quite an ordinary pi ice for such little carriages intended to accommodate princea and princesses ; aud ia some special instances the latter figure hag been doubled. Eastern potentates frequently procure from England elaborate " prams " for their offspring. • . • Boiled water, besides being a safer drink than the liquid not so treated, has a very beneficial effect upon the complexion. R*in water is the best for toilet purposes/, particularly when made just lukewarm. Hc?6 water is frequently used by those having grsasy skin?, but any temporary benefit is completely outweighed by its tendency to promote flabbineas of the skin. • . • A Roman Catholic priest, who v?aa examining a confirmation class in the son(,h of Ireland, asked the question, " What is the sacrament of matrimony 1" A little girl at the head of the class answered, " 'Tis a state of torment into which souls enter to prepare them for another and a better world." "Good," said the priest ; " the answer for purgatory." " Pat her down to the fooc of the class," counselled someone. " Leave her alone," said the priest; "-she may be perfectly right for all you or I know to the contrary." •. • Mis Alice Shaw, the famou3 lady whistltsr, is an American, and even as a little girl she was known far and wide as a whistling prodigy. Exercising her gift simply for the amusement of herself and her friends, there came a day when Mrs Shaw was compelled to work for herself s,nd her little twin daughers. The plucky lady resolved to start as a lady whistler, and, taking a course of lessons in singing and voice production, her experiment; was from the start a great success. She very soon whistled barself into popularity and a snug fortune. • . • Amdßg celebrities Miss Maud Millet is said to be one of the easiest to photograph, her expression being invariably winning and her pose always gracefaJ. Amongst others, the photographs of Miss Winifred Emery (Mi'a C^ril Maude) are sometimes disappointing, the camera failing to catch the exact BY/eetne§3 of her sympathetic face. Princess May nearly always makes a capital picture, being a deal more successful in this respect; than ihe daughters of the Princess of Wale?. More than one famous actress reaps considerable pecuniary benefit by the actual sale ! of hsr own portraits. • . • A new and very popular insurance office has been opened in Oopenhsgen — namely, the OIJ Maids' Insurance Company for Young Women, hi which girls, on attain- | ing the j-.ge of 13, can assure themselves by the payaieat of aTsmall sum. Should these girls be unmarried at 40 they 'are entitled to a regular allowance, but should they have hearkened to the voice of the charmer and entered the holy bonds of matrimony they I forfeit all clajms. • . • A very extraordinary fact, and oae but lfttle known, is that neither the birtb, baptism, nor confirmation of: Queen Yiclorla ia a matter' of public official record. One might supposo tajis filed away isi its appointed place among the State" archives there could be found a document formally setting forth the birth o£ the child who, though not heir-presamptive to the throna at the time of her birth, was only removecl from it; by three degrees. But such is noisj the case. With ragaid to her birtb, all thai;} was deemed necessary was its announcemena

by the State officials whose duty it was to be personally cognisant of the fact.

•«•« • The ex-Empress Frederick is an excellent musician, and she is also a talented artist in sculpture and painting. A most life-like portrait of her husband, a pieoa of bronze, was modelled by her, and the two xjastles she occupies at different periods of the year contain many creditable sketches by her on canvas and paper. Another of her Majesty's favourite occupations is gardening. Sbe is very fond of roses for decoxative purposes, and owns a large nursery garden at Friedrichshof, where choice fruit is cultivated for her table.

• . • The office of executioner has been held by a woman. For some yoars a female known as Lady Betty, the hangwoman, officiated in this capacity at the old gaol of Roscommon. She had herself been condemned to death for the murder of her owa son, whom she had killed for the sake of plunder after his return from a long campaign. The deed was committed in ignorance ©f bis identity. The sheriff strongly objecting to act as executioner for a large batch of condemned persons, Lady Betty undertook the gruesome work in consideration of her • life being eparsd, and filled the unenviable post for a number of years, always appearing - nnmasked and undisguised.

■ . ■ It seems hardly possible that there can be a nation in these civilised times who never kiss. Yet it is a fact that in Japan a husband when he bids good-bye to his wife never kisses her, but presses her hand and bends his forehead to the mats in a sad farewell. Do Jap ever courts his loved one with the kisses usually bo dear to the British lover, nor does the mother ever kiss her eweet babe as she fondly presses it to her bosom. In Britain our salutation is composed of a bow, handshake, kiss and kiss ; but the Japanese expression of regard is strictly regulated by the number and length of the salaams.

• . • Miniatures of favourite cats are now painted for devoted mistresses who yearn for pictures of their pets. Miss May Knight, » young Welsh girl, is responsible for this latest development in miniature painting. Har first commission was from the Dachesse d'^-leccon, who "left ber cat in Miss Knight's care when she was travelling. When pussy came home the Duchess was delighted to fiad an exquisite miniature of her little cat-self hanging round the soft furry neck. Orders are pouring in from catiovere.

• . • Women who lace tightly often demand & peculiar accomplishment'- of their maids. Ihey must be very strong in the arms, in order, by sheer force, to reduce the size of their mistress's waist. Those too weak to attain the result desired run the risk of losing their situations.

• . • At the age of 88, Mrs Mary Cowden Clarke, the authoress, is 'still vigorous mentally and physically. She began writing when she was 16, and not a single twelvemonth of the ensuing 62 years passed without some fresh product of her pen being given to the world. As the compiler of the famous " Concordance to Shakespeare," Mrs Clarke's name will endure in the annals of literature, although many of her less pretentious work would have ensured her lasting fame. $

•„ • The beauty of Russian women is well known, and that the lovely faces and elegant figures we admire to-day also existed in the past is shown by a little story of the Russian Empress Catherine the Second. In Dne of the tours through her dominions she was so impressed with the beauty of her female subjects that she conceived the idea of having a picture gallery filled with their portraits in various costumes. For this purpose she chose over 300 of the most handBorne and brought them to the capital to bs painted by the famous artist 3of the day. It Is said that this " dream of fair women " was greatly admired by the French President duiicg his visit to Peterhof. For ourselves we think it would be hard to find, even in Russia, a fairer face than that of the young Czarina.

• . * Among other bits of chit chat about the Empress Eugenie's household by a recent Writer, a pretty picture of her devotion to seading is given, not the lighter authors of modern times, but classical writers, of whose works she had a delightful collection in the library, she was so fond of at the Tuileries— the library that was burned, with that palace, to her intense regret: — "The Emperor knew that the catalogue of this library bad escaped the holocaust, and caused the collection to be completely reconstituted — the Bams editions, binding?, &c. One day, at Chislehuist, he said to the Empress, 4 Eugenic, your library was not burned, as we believed, someone told me, and I have desired the books to be sent here.' • Impoa-

sible; it is you who, by the help of the catalogue, have had it reproduced.' • Well, yes ; I thought it would give you pleasure.' • The greatest. You know how I loved my poor burned books ; you have given them back to me. Thanks, a thousand times, for your kind and delicate attention.'" This is a touching little picture of the exiled sovereigns clinging together in banishment and adversity.

■ . • The custom of using a ring as a symbol of betrothal and marriage is pagan and preChristian, and no satisfactory meanirg can be assigned to it. Still less can we explain why the third finger of the le£t hasad is universally used as the ring finger. B«fore the anatomy and physiology of tha body were known or studied there wae a sort of hazy belief that a special artery ran from the third finger to the heart. Of coarse that is nonsense. No one finger is thus distinguished above another. It was also supposed in olden days that to be bound by the left hand meant subjection. The most sensible reason for the use of the third finger is that it 16 protected by the little fingsr and less used than the others ; hence rings are safer and less troublesome on that than on any of the others.

• . • Mrs Emily Stevens, who hag just celebrated her 102 ad birthday at Kingston Workhouse, and Mis 3 Mary Ann Orotherc, who is living at Philadelphia in her 104 th year, must both yield precedence on the ground of seniority to three Irishwomen now living, who are respectively 117, 114, and 105 years old. Mrs Annie Armstrong, who lives at Spanish Point, near Miltown Halbay, County Clare, was bora early in 1781, and is accordingly in her 117 th year. She remembers the period of the rebellionof 1798 very vividly, and can recall without difficulty the names of personal friends who lost their lives, come on the loyayisfc and others on the rebel side. Again, a Miss Margaret Halloran, who was born in Coolock in the Queen's County in 1784, is living in the workhouse at Farsonstowc, Queen's County, in her 114 th year, in full possession of all her faculties. She had a brother a year older than she, who enlisted in the army in 1800, and was kilted at Waterloo. She spent the active part of her life in domestic service, but has been for the past 43 years an inmate of the Parsonstown workhouse. A Mrs Margaret Toohey, who is living in Paraonstowa, was born on March 17, 1793, and is therefore aged 105. She has lost the use of her limbs, but her mental faculties are unimpaired. She resides with ber daughter, who is advanced in years, but able to support her mother by her earnings. It is stated that these three centenarians have much in common. They are identical in having blue eyes, in being from three to five inches shorter than they were in their earlier years, and in not discarding a snuff or a smoke. It will be noticed that this paragraph hardly bears out the German professor's theory mentioned in a previous par. There are two single womsn here over 100 years of age.

• . • Taste, grace, kindliness, the art of putting people at their ease, the ready jest, the quick repartee, belong to the outfit of the society girl. A certain dainty finish distinguishes her. She has savoir faire. She is not readily thrown from her poise, her background is secure, and she has the immense advantage of knowing that her world is at her feet. Her mother, always at her side, judicious, considerate, affectionate, probably contentedly allows herself to be thrown into the shade by this second self, who seems to her the very crown and flower of her life. Toe father, the brothers, the cousins of the slender sweet maiden are all intensely proud of her, and the first simply lives to Berve her, to gratify her caprices,* to furnish her with money, to wenr her on his heart as one wears a white rosebud on his buttonhole. Bat, being an American father, he would resent with scorn the allegation that his fair daughter is macely an ornament. He knowa her underlying strength, her reserves of force, her possibilities. If the need comes, this father will tell you that his girl could and would do just what his boys have done — she would go into business and make a fortune, or at least hold her own among fortunemakers.

May a Queen Cycle ?

Here is a piteous tale, related by the Telegraph's Amsterdam correspondent. It seemß that the youthful Qaean of Holland during her recent visit to the Court of Vienna, accompanied by her august mother, became passionately fond of cycling. It is a fashion in Vienna, and Qaeens are as liable to fall under its sway as shop-girls and typewriters, especially if they be young and brimful of spirits. Queen Wilhelmina returned to her home in Holland, taking with her, as a precious souvenir, a cycle which comes as near perfection as one can well conceive.

After she had amused herself by whirling up and down tbe walks of the royal gardens for half an hour, her mother, the Queen-Regent, was seized with harrowing scruples as to the propriety of the thing. A Cabinet Minister | or hia wife might, of coarse, " bike " to their hearts' content without provoking censure or comment ; even a duchess might mount a bicycle or guide a tandem without any loss of dignity. Bat a Queen I There is no authentic precedent for such a radical innovation, or, if there be, it is worthless. The Queen - Regent made matters as clear as she could to her Royal daughter ; but the wilful young maiden declared she could not see it. What was to to be done 1 The matter was at once referred to the Privy Council, all the members of which were summoned in hot haste, and asked to considsr and solve the question whether a Qaaen of Holland conld " bike without losing the halo of majesty. The Privy Council deliberated very caref ally and discussed the, matter most exhaustively, coming to the unwelcome conclusion that "bikiDg" add reigning were incompatible — or words to that effect. " For the precedents cited in favour of the contrary opinion," this august body declared, " are not to the point. In no other case was the person who used the bicycle as a mode of locomotion so precious to her subjects ; in no instance was j the life and health of the royal bicyclist so i necessary to the welfare of such a large j number*of subjects as in this." "Therefore j we humbly implore yoar Gracious Majesty," ! said the President, " nofc to expose your pre- j cious life to tbw danger, bow Elight soever it ] may p.eem.'' The young Qaeen pouted, but j obeyed, and, as a sort of cold comfort, ! accepted a present of a Shetland pony. She I sighed like a " biker " and obeyed like a | monarch, as Gibbon might have said. j How to Get Your Slaughters j Married. , j One great reason why people don't marry ! so much nowadays ie that parents do not j encourage friendship among their children and other people enough. It is so much the custom to look upon every young man who calls at the hoaee as a possible suitor for our daughters' hands that a man is afraid to j visit tbe parents of a, pretty girl, fearing that before he even begins to know his own mind regarding her other people will have made it ; up for him. If father? and mothers would do in their ] homes as is done in Canada and the United | Sfcatts we would not hear so much of the un- ] married woman as we do at present. In ■ these countries it is u«ual to welcome girls j and men to the house as friends and nothing else. A man rany visit a house full of pretty girls"for months together, and no one takes the least uetice of his co doing. He goes as a friend, and is accepted ss eucb, and is made welcome whenever ho. cares to call. In this way a man gets to know hia women friends intimately. If he falls in love he has the more chance of being happy from his friendship with his futnre wife's family and his knowledge of her tastes. If he does not ha keeps his friends and takes a v?if<3 from another family. | Young people in this way have plenty of | chance of becoming friends and being mar- | ried without troume being made and gossip | circulated, as is so often the case with us. | Bashful Bridegrooms. Ministers declare that in nine cases out of ten brides are mach more «elf po&seseed than are bridegrooms when the marriage ceremony is being performed. A shy, modest-looking lihtJe creature, robad in -white, will stand perfectly erect, looking the minister calmly and sqnarely in the eye, without for an instant losing her selfpoßsesssion, while the big, blunt sixfooter of a bridegroom by her side is pale, norvou3, and trembling. One bridegroom lost his head to such a degree that when it came time for him to say, "I, Horace, teke thee, Annie, to be my lawful wedded wife," he said in an uanaturally loud tone, "I, Annie, take thee, | Horace, to be my lawful wedded wife " ; aud when the time came for him to introduce his bride to some of his friends who hacl not yet seen her, he did it by saying awkwardly, " Ah — cr — Miss Carter, this is my wife, Miss Barton," calling her by her maiden name. Few naon say " My wife " easily and natu- | rally the first time they use ihe words in j public. I Household Hints. Putting Away Silver Teapoto. — To prevent the musty smell in a teapot when packed away for any length of time, put a lump of white sugar in it. To Stiffen Limp Felt Hats. — Place a damp cloth over the brim, and iron with a hot iron until the cloth is quite dry. It will then become ac firm as when new. i To Dry Parsley for Winter Use. — Pick and tie fresh parsley in bunches ; boil for three or four minutes in well-salted boiling water ; drain, and dry quickly before the fire. Put in dry bottles. When required for use, soak for a few minutes in warm water. A Hint for the Laundress or Kitchenmaid. — If the hands are stiff after a daj's washing or scrubbing, takd a tablespoonfal of fine salt and well rub them all over while they are wet. Fish Pudding. — Pick any white fish free from all skin and bones ; mix with sojne boiled potatoes, and mash well. Boat an egg into this mixtare, and season witli salt, ; mix well, and steam for quite half an hour in a well- greased basin. Serve with molted butter. Paste forScrapbooke, &c. — Cornflour makes the best paste for scrapbooks. Dissolve a small quantity in cold water, then cook it thoroughly. Be careful not to get it too thick. When cold it should be thin enoagh to apply with a brush. It will not mould or stain the paper. How to Rapair Watercans. — Take a small piece of clean rag, dip it in'copal varnish, and stuff it into the holes. The can must be perpectly dry before you mend it. The varnish will harden by drying, and the can will then be perfectly watertight. Flatulence is very like indigestion, and often causes great pain and trouble ; but j there is no cause for alarm when a child j suffers in this way, as it is nofc in the least j dangerous. Allowing a child to suck an empty bottle or binding its little body too tightly is often quite enough to induce flatulency, j A warm bath often gives relief, while a j change of diet is also necessary. j . To remove " fur " from the inside of a I

kettle fill it With water, adding a drachm of salammoniac. Let it boil for an hour, and the " fur " or incrustation formed on the metal will be dissolved, and can easily be removed.

To remove mildew from silk materials rub the suiface with a soft; silk handkerchief, and finish off by rubbing with a hard polished cold surface, such as a flat iron.

(rj» Descriptions 6f balls, &c., must be endorsed by either the Witness correspondent for the district oi by the secretary to the ball committee. The MS. ef any correspondents who do nocomply with this rnle will be sent to the secretary Tor endorsement prior to appearing.- KMMELINK. g,To ensure publication in the forthcoming is9ue, letters should reach the Witness office it possible on Saturday night, but on no Recount later than Slond y niirht.

"WEDDING AT ATWELL, TOKOMAIRIRO,

Dear Emmeline, — An event in which a considerable amount of interest was t-iken by the young people of the district was celebrated on Wednesday last, when Miss Jeannie Porter, eldest daughter of Mr John Porter, Atwell, Tokomairiro, was united in the bonds of rnatrimouy to Mr Dugald Crawford, engineer to the Bruce woollen mills. The ceremony, which took place at the residence of the bride's patents, was peifoimed by the Rev. James Chisholm in the piesence of a large number of the lelatives and friends of the family. The weather, which had been threatening tor several days, cleared off in the afternoon, the buu shining in all its brilliancy when the critical time arrived, 3S if to render possible the realisation of the oft-repeated proverb, " Happy is the bride the sun shines on." The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a diamond pin and carried a bouquet, gifts of the bridegroom, and looked charming iti a lovely white cashmere costume trimmed with white beaded gimp. The bride was well supported by her thiee bridesmaids, who did good honour to the occasion in their handsome costumes, Mies Janet Porter, the sister of the bride, wearing a pretty cream lustre, Miss Andrina fribb a pale electric blue cashmere, and Miss Nellie Gibb a sea green costume with cieani silk trimming. The bridesmaids were the recipients of gifes as mementoes of the occasion in the shape of gold banglbs and gold engraved links. Mr Alexander Poiter acted in the capacity of groomsman. The ceremony over, the gues>ts to the number of 50 adjourned to one of the large adjoining buildings, where a first-class wedding breakfasthadheen laid in the best of style. The decorations of this building were much adrniied. and were the work, I understand, of Misses Crawford, A. and N. Gibb, and Messrs Brownlee and Millar. It seemed as if some veritable spirit of th&lau<p harllont bis kind assistance to transform it for the time being into a charming sylvan nook, go cunningly had the bare walls and roof been hidden with evergreens interwoven with art muslin of various shade*, the corners being decorated with national flig's. After justice had been done to the Rood thing* provided, the Rev. Mr Chisholm in a happy speech propoeed the health of the bride and bri4egroom, to which Mr Crawford made a neat little reply. During the afternoon photographs of the bridal party and assembled guests were taken by Mr Joseph Bremner. The presents —which casoe fiotu San Francisco, Hoaolulu, Samoa, Tonga, and Sydney, besides all parts of the colony — were laid out in the dining room, and made an attractive display, the nurrber and value testifying to the ealeem in which the young couple are deservedly held by their minierous fripnds. In the evening the barn was the centre of an attractive scene, when over 100 of the young friends of the newly-married couple gathered together at the kind invitation of Mr and Mrs Porter to celebrate the happy event with a ddiiice. Th« barn was of ample $.iza, the decorations were suitable, and the floor in excellent order, and with these accessories and to the accompaniment of the b<st of music, provided by Messrs Robertson (piano) and Walsh (violin), it is little wonder that those present entered with zest into their amusement, and continued with th-s utmost; heartiness to chase th« glowing hours with flying feet until well on in the mprnrng. Supper was served during the evening in the same elaborate stlyle as had characterised Ihe other part of the proceedings — the ability of Miss K. Murray, of Dimedin, who had control of all the cuisine arrangements for the occasion, being sufficient guarantee for their being carried out to perfection. She was ably assisted by Miss Newell, Lawrence. All the ladies present were attired in dresses suitable to the occasion. Besides the bridal party already mentioned I noticed Mrs Porter (mother of the bride) in black silk ; Miss Crawford (Auckland), grey evening costume ; Miss Newell (Lavteace), cream lustre ; Miss Alexander (Dunedin), pale blue ; Miss Gray, black velvet tad canary; Miss A. Dfitt nan, pale green; Miss K. Drinnan, black with hutteicup trimmings ; Miss M. Drinnan, cream ; Misses Hamilton (2), cream trimmed with pale blue ; Miss M. M'Olymont, fawn feilk blouse ; Miss Inglis, black 'silk bliuse with cream and jet trimming; Mrs F. M'Leod, cieam cashmere; Miss Reid, black lace ; MrsNissen, giey costume ; Mrs C. Grey, black satin ; Mi j-e?j -c? Falconer (*J), Misses J&l'Leod (2), and Mrs J. Murray, all attired in black ; Miss Sanderson (Akatore), grey evening dress ; Miss Forsyth, black lace trimmed with green ; Mi's Bishop (Hillend), heliotrope blouse ; Miss Dennett, hailstone muslin ; Miss Murray (Dunedin), black and -white; Miss Wyber, hail-ston-e tnuslin ; Miss Boyle, cream lustre blouse ; Wiss J. Taylor, pink-striped Bilk blouse; Mi*s L. Taylor, Miss Leslie, Miss Bryce, and Miss Allison in cream suitably trimmed ; and Misses Martin (2) in cream relieved with pink. Mr J. Porter, jun.. efficiently fulfilled the duties of MC. During the evening the proceedings were varied by vocal selections kindly contributed, by Misses Keid, N. Gibb, M. M'Cljraont, and Messrs J. Brownlee, J. Bryce, F. W. Riach, and J. Wyber. The happy couple drove off about midnight amid showers of rice and the hearty good wishes of all. Just before the gathering broke up Mr J. W. Petrie, in a short speech, called for cheers for the host and h -stess, taking advantage of the opportunity to wish the newly-married couple, on behalf of tho^e present, long life and prosperity. Needless to say hit, call was heartily responded to. — Kata.

"WEDDING AT GIMMERBURN,

An interesting event took place here on Thursday, January 20— tbe marriage of Miss Emily Jane Blakely, eldest daughter of Mr John Blakely, Gunmerburn, to Mr William Hall, second son c f Mr W. Hall, Patearoa, at the residence of the bride's parents. The E/sv. Mr Gellie, of Cambrians, in the absence of Mr .Smith, officiated, and the cert niony, which took place in the ver&ndch, was witnessed by a large number of gueeti. The bride looked lovely, and the bridesmaids— Miss Beattie, of C-ambrians, assisted by the Misses Violet and Mabel BUkely, sifters of the bride -looked very charming, and all four, being appropriately dressed, ms.de a very pretty picture. 'Ihe bridegroom was attended by hia brother. Mr Andrew B Hal!, as be=t man. Although this district ii burnt up for want of rain, immediately th« ceremony was concluded copious showeis began to fall — of rice. Amove was made to the house, the cake cat, and cake, wine, and congratulations were the older of the day, and Mr Gellie pathetic .lly bewailed his hard fate in coming so tar for ceremouy only wfceu there were so many eligible parties present ; but on taking another look at the roany encaging, although not engaged, couples, consoled himself with the reflection that it was coming, and that LlrßrniUi, whose district it wa.s, would soon have a "boom" in that line. An adjournment was then made to the ?hed, which was tastefully and profusely decorated, the "Welcome" bs»ins; very conspicuous, and where the table was found to be plentifully supplied with edible 3, including even tropical fruit; "But then," as one guest re-

marked, "we are now in the tropics." Fall justice having been done, the customary toasts followed— " The Bride and Bridegroom," The Bride«maids," the respective parents of bride and bridegroom (all of -whom were present), etc., and being duly responded to, short speeches fitting to the occasion were given by the Rev Mr Gellio, Mr Weir, Mr John Law, and others, after which the party scattered for a time, the younger ones indulging in games, others in the eujoyment of muiic, some very capable performers being present, and the farmers to condole with each other on th« failure of the crops and grass through the excessive heat and want of rain, and the prospect of a hard winter. At dink the shed was brilliantly lighted up, and then the fun for the young people commenced. Capital music was provided by Messrs George Pine and A. Sherick, and the dance was kept up with unfailing spirit until the small hours, Mr P. M. Law proving an enthusiastic M.O. One enjoyable item was the very nice way in which "I dou t want to play in your yard" was rendered by two little girls, the singing and by-play being perfect. Mr Blakely was a most capable host, and the hearty generous manner in which he dispensed his hosl pitality made all feel their welcome was genuine, j while Mrs Blakely was untiring in her efforts foe j the comfort and enjoyment of the many guests, : and they were ably supported by the other memj beis of the family. All came away highly grati* , tied with their evening's entertainment, and hop- ■ ins. that if it led to suck another "outing," Mr ! Gellie's anticipations might be realised speedily ! and often. Vidi. WEDDING AT TITRI. Dear Emmelinic,— A. very pleasant ceremony, | with consequent festivities, took place at Pleasant i Valley on Wednesday, 26th ult., when Mfcs j Jessie Sinclair, daughter of Mr Walter Sinclair, i was united in wedlock to Mr Laurence Birclay, of the railway service, Dunedia. The Rev. James A. Somerville, M.A., of Waihola, performed the ceremony, which, on account of the large number of guests, had to be held out of doors. The com- ! pany gathered under the shade of a large tree. i and in the midst stood the bride and I bridegroom, with bridesmaids (the sisters of I the bride) and groomsman and parents of the ! contracting parties. Captain Barclay (Ducedin I Engineers), the groomsman, and brother of the bridegroom, afterwards photographed the group. The bride w*s dressed in silver grey travelling costume, with shower bouquet and white travelling h»t. The bridesmaid* -were in navy blue dresses, with white hats. The bride wore % gold chain bracelet and gold brooch, the gifts of I the bridegroom, who also presented the bridesmaids with diamond brooches. A table, spread in ! an atnp'e bitru decorated for theoecasieo, literally I groaned with good things ; but the beauty of the | table decorations drowned the grratas, and enI abled tho«e dining to do go in comfort. While | your correspondent w*s well abla to sample* and approve of the eatable 3, etc., the high sagthetirhm of the table adornmtnta waa beyond his ! capabilities to describe. The presents were aurne- | *ous, good, and useful, and were received from friends in many parts of the province. The aewly-married couple took the ev*ning train to Dunedin, various railway compliments meeting them as they proceeded. At the daaoo is the evening many more j?u««ts arrived, and daocing was carried on vigorously in two bams. The I hospitality of Mr and Mrs Sinclair and family j and their as«iduity in attending to the comfort 1 of their various nnd numerous friends were quite j remarkable ; and many ef the guest*) will long j reniember the mirth and merry-making at I Pleas&ut Valley when Miss Jessie Sinclair was married. All agreed wUk and echoed the genti- ' ments expressed by Mr R. Peattie when he, in one of his characteristic speeches, propoeed the health of the bride and wicked happiaesg and I prosperity to the newly- wedded pair ; and the echoes w«re renewed when the Eev. Mr Somerville happily proposed a bimilar compliment to the bridesmaids.