The Reporter.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 41, 15 January 1898, Page 9

The Reporter.

MARRIAGE AT HOKONUI,

There was a notable gathering at the residence of Mrs Macpherson, Hokonui, on Wednesday, on the occasion of the marriage of her daughter to Mr John Galt, Mataura. From early in the forenoon visitors began to arrive, and the stream, despite lhe stormy weather, ceased not till over 250 guests had arrived. All of these had either ridden or driven, some of them travelling long distances, and when all the company had assembled over fifty vehicles were scattered about the ground. Jopp’s drag brought a strong contingent of townspeople from Invercargill, Mataura had about forty representatives, and the western and northern districts were also to the fore. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr Baird, of Winton, and was conducted under an awning which bad been erected in front of the house. The bride was attended by Miss Scott, of Invercargill, and a dainty little maiden, Essie McConachie, who was dressed in white serge, with ribbons to match. The bride was attired in a very handsome costume of pale green, trimmed with shot silk of pale blue and gold, and ornamented with passementerie, with wreath and veil. Miss Scott’s costume was pale green and white, with white chiffon, white lace hat, white tips. Mr A. Galt, brother of bridegroom, acted as best man. Soon after Mr and Mrs Galt had been pronounced man and wife the skirl of the pipes was heard, Mr Murdoch Mcßae playing ‘ Wooed and Married and a’ ’ and other appropriate selections. When he ceased Mr J. Mcßae took up the strain. The presents to the bride and bridegroom were numerous, the apartment they occupied resembling a bazaar, and included a handsome piano, the gift of her brothers, Messrs A. and D. Macpherson. The wedding breakfast was laid out in the barn, and Mrs Macpherson and her family, assisted by many willing helpers, were throughout unremitting in their attention to the comfort and enjoyment of the visitors.

A sumptuous and well-served repast having received the grateful attention of the guests, Mr M. O’Brien, who was asked to preside, opened the proceedings in a few happy words, and then read a letter from the Hon. J. G. Ward to Mrs Macpherson, senr., in which he regretted the inability of his wife and self to be present, as intended, at the ceremony. This, he explained, was due to circumstances over which be had no control —the visit to Invercargill of His Excellency the Governor, who bad intimated his desire to see him. Mr Ward concluded by conveying his own and Mrs Ward’s

best wishes for the happiness of Mr and Mrs Galt. The chairman stated that the absence of the Mayor of Invercargill (Mr H. Mair) was due to the same cause.

The Rev. Mr Baird, who proposed “The Bride and Bridegroom,” said that he undertook the duty with very great pleasure. He had known Mrs Galt for a long time, and had always held her in high esteem. He had expected that something of this kind would happen some day—that they would lose her. He had no doubt that some members of the company were entertaining hopes of the same kind iq reference to themselves. (Laughter.) As a teacher Mrs Galt had done her work most efficiently, and he was sure that she would discharge the duties of her new estate equally well. He had not had the pleasure of Mr Galt’s acquaintance, but from what he had seen and heard of him he entertained the highest possible hopes of the happiness of that gentleman and his wife. They had the best wishes of all present. Personally he was a strong believer in love as an element in marriages. Life would be a hard and rough road to travel if people began the journey without love. If those who were united in the bonds of matrimony loved each other, and trusted and confided in each other in everything, married life would never be humdrum. If they started well, their pathway through life would be one of increasing brightness and happiness. (An emphatic “ hear, hear ” from the chairman.) He (Mr Baird) was glad to hear Mr O’Brien speak. He did not know of anyone svho had followed him (the speaker) to more marriages, before he made the final leap—(laughter)—and he was glad to see him so bright and happy-looking. Other young men might accept*that as a guarantee. Mr A. McKellar (Invercargill), cordially endorsed all that had been said as to the good qualities of the bride, whom he had known since she was a little girl. As for Mr Galt, he had known the family 7 for years, and for everything chat was good. Mr McKellar also incidentally bore testimony to the hospitality of the bride’s mother—the doors of a more hospitable woman he had never entered. He called for three cheers for that lady, which were enthusiastically given. Mr W. Irwin (chairman of the Hokonui School Committee) said that he was very pleased to have an opportunity of adding his testimony to Mrs Galt’s good qualities. As a teacher she had been singularly successful, and neither child nor parent had ever bad a complaint to make. While wishing her all happinness, the people of the district deeply regretted the loss of her services. The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Mr Galt, in responding, said that it gave him unspeakable pleasure to acknowledge the many good wishes -expressed towards his young wife and himself. They came from old and tried friends, and he felt that they were genuine. As for his old bachelor chums, he reminded them that some one had to make a start —(laughter) —and he urged them to follow his example. Mr J. Sinclair gave the toast of the chief bridesmaid, Miss Scott, of Invercargill. During the ceremony he had thought —‘ What a beautiful bride she would make,’ and if an old man was of that opinion, what must the young ones think F—(Laughter). The toast was coupled with the name of Mr A. Galt, who made suitable response. The health of the bride’s mother, proposed by T. Pryde (Matama) and received with musical honours, was acknowledged by Mr A. Macpherson, who said that his mother felt highly honoured at the way friends had responded to her invitation to be present at the wedding, and for the manner in which they had gathered to do honour to her daughter and her daughter’s husband. The toast of the bridegroom’s parents was also most heartily honoured. The proposer, Mr W, Butler, of Hokonui, said he had

known Mr Galt, sent., over twenty years ; he had met the bridegroom’s j father later ; and he had, made the acquaintance of the bridegroom more leceutly. The family was held in the highest esteem by the public, and he had very great pleasure indeed in submitting the toast. Mr Hassing, formerly master of the Hokonui school, and now of Heddon Bush, said that he had not known the bridegroom long, but if first impressions counted, be felt that he was a genuine man, a credit to the Gaits, who were very old settlers, and deservedly held in high esteem. With respect to Mrs Galt, he could speak of her with no uncertain sound, she having been a pupil, and afterwards mistress, of the school of which he was formerly master. In her school days she was kind and bright in disposition, and made bis life and those of the children happy, the little girls treating her as an elder teacher. As in the school, so in her home—she was its sunshine. After speaking of the lady’s successful management of the school, Mr Hassing said he felt sure a bright and prosperous future was in store for herself and husband, and if troubles came, as they did come to most people, they would be bravely and cheerfully borne by both.

The Rev Mr McCaw followed in a speech brimful of good feeling- and good humour, in the course of which he jokingly referred to the relative antiquity of the Gaits and Macphersons, and decided in favour of the last-named, to whom tradition assigned the possession of a special boat at the Flood. (Laughter.) With all his heart he wished the newly-wedded couple long life and happiness, and if the Doat in question still existed he hoped it would never need to be used in ‘ pulling hard against the stream.’

A few hours later the Hon. J. G. Ward, who had journeyed to Winton by the evening train, and driven from thence to Hokonui, addressed the company, and regretted that he had not been able to be present at the marriage ceremony. Public duties had prevented the Mayor of Invercargill and himself from being present and showing their respect for Mrs Macpherson and her estimable family. However, better late than never, and he now begged to offer his warmest congratulations to Mr and Mrs Galt, and to wish them all happiness and prosperity. Personally he hoped to have to visit the district again before long to see the happy despatch given to some of those hard-hearted bachelors who found it so difficult to launch upon the sea —the pleasant sea—of matrimony. He recommended them all to do as Mr Galt had done that day. Matrimony was one of the finest things in the world—to a man possessed of that treasure, a good wife, the troubles of life vanished like the baseless fabric of a vision. And speaking of good wives, he knew of no better place in Southland to bnd them than the Winton district. (Laughter.) As for Mr Galt, he was to be envied, congratulated, and imitated.

In the evening some of the company found their pleasure in games and social intercourse in the house, but the majority took possession of the barn, and with song and dance spent a right pleasant night under the genial presidency of Mr James Galt. Dance and accompanimental music of first-class quality was discoursed by the Misses Reid (Dunedin), Mrs Blue (Invercargill), and Mr McFarlane Brown and Miss M. Mair (Invercargill), and some fine songs were charmingly rendered by Mrs Blue, Miss M. Mair, and Miss McGregor (Invercargill). The Hon. J. G. Ward also contributed materially to the harmony of the evening, singing song after song. Messrs Clark and Stewart contributed 4 The Larboard Watch ’ in fine style, and recitations were given by Messrs Pryde and A. Galt. As for the dancing, it was indulged in with the keenest zest. It w r as literally a case of No sleep till morn when youth and beauty meet To chase the glowing hours with flying feet.