WAIMATUKU.

Otago Witness, Issue 2427, 19 September 1900, Page 33

WAIMATUKU.

September 17.— Mr J. C. Tl-.omson, frcra Riverton, gave a lecture here on the 31st, in. aid of the school funds. Mr Stobo, chairman of school committee, presided, and called on tlio Waimatuku String Ba^d to oisen proceeding' with a selection. During the evening, Misses M'Kenzie and Brown and Mr J. Brown ass'sted the lecturer by singing at intervals. Mr Thomson's subject was "Aspects of the Boer War/ and though, as he said, "anything new could not be true and anything true could not be new," yet he treated the subject in such an interesting and instructive manner, that the incidents we had read about seemed new when so graphically described by Air Thomson. The thrilling events and heroic deeds of our British soldiers and the dastardly tactics of the Boerc were depicted so forcibly that the justice of the present war was clear to us all. To add emphssis to particular points, Mr Thomson recited appropriate pieces from various autnors, m his own masterly style. Especially striking was the quotation on war from an eminent English statesman (whose name I did not catch).

Social. — The Waimatuku choir invited a number of guests to a social in the hall on the 6th inst. in honour of Miss Fraserv 1 one of our young ladies. Miss Fraser is aboi-i to change her name, and the members of the choir could not allow her to sever her connection with them without giving something that; would remind her of her connection with thr. choir. The social was a most enjoyable one, the young lads having charge of the get-up doing the thing to perfection. Mr Stobo waa chairman, and in a hap"py sxj^pcli, cxvjlained! why, we were invited to honour" Miss Fraser. -Mr W. Strang, choirmaster, presented Miss.. Frasex with a handsome — handsome becau&».* solid, £>lain, and good — cake basket, suitably in> scribed. Mr Strang, in a neat, well-wordec»| speech", showed that a cake basket was a mosj; appiopiiate gift for Miss Frasei because sIkJC was famed for her cake-making, and been.use ati] socials her cake was ever to the front in quan-i tity and quality. H,e. ala^ uiacle reference tg

Miss Fraser's regularity at choir practice. Mr D. Fraser, the guest's father, feelingly and suitably replied for his daughter, and said the choir was setting a bad precedent, because other members would expect a similar honour. The other speakers were Messrs J. Fraser, A. M'Kenzie, and D. il'Kenzie, all testifying to the popularity of Miss Fraser, and making reference to the greater event to follow. During the evening songs v, ere given by Misses M'Kenzie and Brown, and Messrs J. Brown, A. Barron, W. Fraser, J. Wilson, and A. M'Kenzie The refreshments were conspicuous by their abundance, quality, and variety. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" bi ought the first part of a most enjoyable evening to a close. The second ijart was a dance, into which the young folk ortered with zest and good will. Matrimony. — Wednesday, 12th inst., was an epoch day here, the occasion being the marriage of Miss Fraser to Mr Joe JJickley, both Waimatuku residents. The marriage was celebrated in the spacious house of Mr W. Fraser, brother ot the bride. The guests were numerous, coming from far and near. The bride and her budesmaids, Miss Fraser (from ■Waiahiwa) and Mips Maggie M'Lcod, were "handsomely dressed ; but in such matters I «m an ignoramus, and must not be tempted to describe the dresses, which were of all colours, sizes, and designs. The Rev. Mr M'Cully made the ceremony most impressive. After 'the usual good wishes, hand-shaking, etc., etc., sill resorted to the barn, where floral decorations were tastefully arranged lound the walls ( and ceiling, and two long tables were laden ■with the '' fat of the land." After full justice had been done to the wedding breakfast, toasts and speeches were in demand. The ."Rev. Mr M'Cully, in an excellent speech ,pro-;-,3osed the health of the bride and bridegroom, .xemarking that he himself was in a similar ;oo3ition that day four years ago. Mr Bickley suitably responded, and considering the ordeal Ihe was passing through, a little nervousness ."was quite excusable. Mr T. Stobo proposed .vhe bridesmaids, and reminded the young folk ,-^hat marriages led to marriages, for .many a .-man first saw his wife at a marriage.* Mr J. .Bickley, the best man, briefly responded. Mr 3J. Gray proposed the bride and bridcgioorn's parents, to which Mr D. Fraser replied. He contrasted the marriages of to-day with those 'of 50 yeais ago in Scotland, when no 'speeches ■were required. Mr D. M'Kenzie proposed JJie young ladies, and reminded young men that another Miss Fraser was left,, and when some voting men discovered her good qualities, isnother Miss Fraser was still left. Miss C. Is"raser courageously toasted the bachelors, and ■called on one of them to respond, but as none ■had the courage, Mr C. Gray replied, and in Siis speech said he, with one exception, knew •the bride's family longer than anyone present. Irle also related some interesting reminiscences of Highland life when he and Mr Fraser were ?ads in Scotland. The next toast pioposed was ■that of the host, Mr Fraser, who, in responding, expressed his pleasure at meeting to do ftoaour to his sister's mariage. The hall was /then relieved of its living freight to n-akc room for another lo: of visitors in the evening. The presents, which were valuable pnd numerous, from a piano to a teaspoon, wcic then inspected, all expressing admiration at the quantity and qualify, and not a few remarking, *'Wish I were getting married myself." j