TABLE TALK

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 72

TABLE TALK

I Monday Evening. ' ■ On Thursday morning at St. Matthew's Church Miss Kathleen Hotop, daughter of Mr Lewis Hotop, of Queenstown, was married to Mr John Laing. A good many spectators had collected within the church to ace the bride, and the front seats were reserved for the invited guests, numbering about 40.. The bride walked vp ' the aisle with her father, who gave, her away, and was at- ! tended by three bridesmaids — MissJ. Laing (sister of the bridegroom), Miss M'Kerrow, and Miss Geisow (from Queenstown). The bridal party wae met at the altar by the Rev. W. Curzon-Siggers (who officiated) and the bridegroom, attended by his best man, Mr W. Maclean. The bride wore a charming dress of cream silk ninon, the Bkirt simply I made with train, and kimono bodice composed of silk-worked lattice -work finished I with transparent lace yoke. A long tulle veil over a apraj of orange blossom and a lovely shower bouquet completed the costume. The bridesmaids wore cream ninon dresses with cream guipure lace, and pretty black chip picture hats lined inside with white chiffon and trimmed with lovely roses, the black hats, with roses, looking most ' effective. Each bridesmaid carried an , exquisite bouquet composed! of pink roses and sweet pea, and wore- a greenstone-and-gold brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. After the ceremony the bridal party proceeded to the residence of Miss Sproule (aunt of the 'bride), in Upper Walker street, and there, with Miss Sproule, awaited the arrival of th« gu*»ts. The guests on arrival were received by Mies Bptoule> and Mr and Mrs I John Laing wera stationed in the- drawing 1 xooxn to receive !t« good vuh.es and Aim.-

gratulations of their friends. Most dainty refreshments were served in the dining roonr, the table being decorated with white and pink flowers, and after the cutting of the wedding cake several healths were proposed and responded to. The presents, which were very handsome and useful, were arranged in the 'drawing room, and were much admired by all. Besides the hostess. Miss Sproule, and

Mr Hotop (the bride'a father) there were pre-

sent Mr and Mrs Laing (the bridegroom's 1 parents), the Misses Laing, Mrs and Master i Durrand, the Rev. Mr and Mrs Curzon1 Siggers, the Rev. Dr and Mrs Waddell, Dr and Mrs Stenhouse, Mr and Mrs Alexander Bathgate, Mrs/ W. Maitland, Mrs Dowling, the Misses Farquhar, Mr and Mrs Hodges, Mr and Mrs die Beer, Miss Gilkison, Mr and Mrs Kennedy, and others. Mr and Mrs Jdhn Laing left by the second express for "the north, the bride wearing a navy blue serge tailor-made costume and smart hat of reseda green chip trimmed with bunches of lilac.

On Monday, the 9th December, Mr and Mrs A. W. "Morris celebrated their golden wedding, when representatives of almost every member of their large and scattered family yrea\> present to celebrate the happy and unique occasion. Letters end telegrams have been received from all parts of New Zealand and elsewhere, and had it been known previously that such an event was to take place doubtless even a larger number would have been received. Their many friends unite in congratulating them on the attainment of their jubilee, and wish for them many yeats of happiness still to come.

On Thursday Mis Ritchie entertained some ladies to lunch at " Balyraid," when the table was beautifully decorated with roses arranged ton » cream lace table centre. There were present, besides the hostess, Mrs Theoinin, Miss Williams, Mrs Truby King, Mrs Carew, Mrs Boyse, Mrs Marshall, Mrs Macassey, Mrs Rosa, and Mrs Fulton.

Mr and Mrs, C. Kattray, who left for England nine months ago, returned on Saturday by way of Sydney, having travelled to Australia by way of Canada and Vancouver.

Mr and Mrs Henry Williams and Miss Vie.let Williams returned last week from their trip to England, also having been away about nine months. _

Herr Bertno and. Madame Scherek. are' at present visiting Dunedin, and are residing daring their stay at Onslow House.

Mr and Mrs Sienneth. Duncan (Welling-ton)-are in Dunedin for a/few days, stopping at the Grand Hotel.

Mrs George Roberts and her little daughter left by Wednesday's steamer for Wellington, anc! proceed to Napier, where they will visit Mrs "Wilfred Ste*d for a few weeks. ,

Misa Noel Dowling left by the same steamer for Wellington, where she will visit friends.

Miss Cargill, who has been in Europe for some months, returned on Sunday by way of Sydney and Auckland, having travelled to Australia via "Vancouver.

Mr and Mrs Pine (Christchurch) are visiting Dunedin for a little, and are staying at Onslow House.

Miss Dora Bathgate, who has been visiting her sisters in Timaru and Nelson for some weeks, has returned for a few months before leaving for Europe.

Mr and Mrs Massey and family, who have spent the winter in Dunedin, have returned to Inveroargill.

Mils Batchelor, who has b een paying visits in. the North Island, has returned to Dunedin.

Mr and Mrs and Miss Joachim leave on Monday, the 16th, for a trip to the Coast. -'

The members and ex-members of Knox Church choir met on Thursday evening last in. Stuart Hall in a social capacity to do honour to Mrs Walter Hislop, who has just severed her connection with the choir. Mrs Hislop was the recipient of a silver entree dish and lovely tray, suitably inscribed. Mr Br«ik, late choirmaster, in making, the presentation> referred in very happy and kindly terms to the long and valuable services rendered to the choir by Mrs Hislop, and urged upon all present members to emulate the good example shown by the recipient. Mr Hislop, responding, said that during all the years that Mrs Hislop had been a member she had made it her hobby, and any act on her part, y to advance the interests of the choir in the future would be willingly rendered. Musical honours and cheers followed. The choir have made Mrs Hislop a life member.

INVERCARGILL, December 16. Last week was almost altogether taken up with the show, which was held in the Queen's Park on Tuesday and Wednesday. People's Day, unfortunately, turned out ra-thex wet — there was no chance for the ladies to wear their pretty summer frocks; in fact, the grounds looked like a sea of umbrellas. There was a record attendance of country folk, but that of the town was pool.. This show_ is considered by many one of the best in New Zealand, and this year attracted many visitors from the north. On Wednesday Sir Joseph Ward and the Hon. Robert M'Nab were entertained j»t -a luncheon by the members of the association.

There was a large attendance of parents and friends at the Victoria Hall on Friday evening to see the presentation of prizes to the pupils of the Southland Boys' and Girls' High Schools. The Hon. R. M'Nab, an expupil of the Boys' School, presented the prizes. Mrs J. T. Thomson «and the Misses Thomson gave an enjoyable euchre party at their residence on Friday evening in honour, of Miss Driver (Dunedin), who is at present their guest.

CHRISTCHURCH, December 16. On Tuesday last Mrs Deans gave a most enjoyable dance et her residence in Riccarton in honour of the officers of the Pioneer and Nimrod. Mrs Deans wore c handsome gown of black sequined net; Misa Deans, white ninon with sequined lace; Mrs Symes, black taffetas; Misa Symes, black crepe de chine, relieved with white; Miss Humphreys, white satin and silver; Miss A. HumiDJueys, cream satin: Mies Kettle, cream net ana silver; Miss C. Kettle, white taffetas, with silver sequined; lace; Miss R. Russell, whrt« chiffon; Miss . H. Burns, white net avot B»le green; Miis

Boyle, pale pink taffetas ;■ Misa Pitman, turquoise blue ninon; Miss Merton, mome silk; Miss G. Merton, cream spotted net with touches of pink; Miss Harley, vi«ux rose taffetas; Miss Anderson, pale blue satin; Miss Wilson, emerald green silk. Mrs T. Cowlisbaw gave a small tennis party on Tuesday last. Amongst those present wer«. Mesdames Reeves, Randal, Misses Reeves, Kettle (2), Macdonald, Cotterill. Mrs HenTy Wood gave a most delightful afternoon tea for her girl friends last week, when the afternoon was spent in playing croquet billiards, the prize being won by Miss B. Wood. Mrs Wood wore » becoming frock of «rl-ite silk, black and white h«t. Amongst the guests were Misses Wood (2), Symes, Burns (2), N. Campbell, 'H. Denniston, Humphrey*. (2), Bailey, Thonnas, Murray, Macdonald, Russell, Wilson, Anderson. , Miss H. Denr.i&ton is staying with Miss j Humphreys. j Mrs Deans has returned from Wellington. ! Mr and Mrs K. Duncan were in town last '. week on their way to Dunedin. Mrs Stead has gene to Napier. Miss Deans 1 ha« gone to Dunedin. Miss Pitman is- staying in Wellington with Mra Algar Williams • - - Mrs and Mi«a Blworthy left for Timaru ( last week. 1 WELLINGTON, December 14. The most important event of the last few days was undoubtedly the burning- of the House of Parliament. Just at the birth of dawn, on Tuesday morning the fire was at j its best, volume* ■of smoke and flame . ascending heavenward, reflecting on the , range of gorse-clad hills at the back. In a wonderfully short time many hundreds of people were on the spot in the weirdest of garments and only half awake. Amongst those most interested were several Maori women, who squatted about the- pavements, wrapped in gaily-coloured shawls, puffing away at their pipesj and thoroughly enjoying the unique experience of a very early morning smoke. Mir and Mrs MacGrcgor are spending their honeymoon in Wellington, and on their return to the Wairarapa will be feted by the Maoris. Mr and Mrs Kook and their little daughter left on Thursday for the King Country, where they intend spending several weeks. Dr Winnie Bathgate (Dunedin) is on a visit to Wellington; Mr« Herbert has returned from her visit to Chrißtchurch. . .;. ( Maas- Earle Bremner has returned from a lengthy visit to Feilding. , j Mr and Mts Bichelbaum have gone to Roiorua for the Christmas and New -Year weeks. Mrs Herbert Vaughan and her three children have returned! from, their visit to England, and intend buying a house at Kelburrfe. Miss Muriel Wyllie has gone to Auckland for several months. X Mrs Maxston Heywood is staying at Day's Bay House. Mrs S. Kennedy reiurnect to Etmn tliis week. "Miss B. Fitzgerald has gone to Invercargill, where- she is" tiie guest of Mrs Watson. I Miss M. BlundeU (New Plymouth) is "the guest - of" Mrs Seated. Mra Knight has returned from her visit to Napier. Mrs G. P. Donnelly, Hawke's Bay,, is spending a few days in Wellington before leaving for the couth. Mr and. Mrs Clayton 'have taken a house at Rona Bay for '-the sumjnea: months. .