SOCIETY

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 18, 15 January 1881, Page 174

SOCIETY

— Fred Tucker won the champion cup of St. Sepulchre's in the Domain on January 3. — They say our old friend, Captain Le Patourel is the Lest waltzer in Melbourne. — On January 18th Mr. Robert Comer, of the Thames will enter the bonds of matrimony. —Mr. R. A. Heald of the Thames Star is to "be married on the 18th inst. to Miss Carrie Hales. — Mr. Crawford will also be united to Miss Fisher on the same day. — Charlie Buddie has been appointed private secretary to Mr. Justice Gillies. He commenced his duties last Monday. — How pleased H.R.H. the Prince of Wales would be if he could know all the " goings on" of his august Antipodean relative. — The projected trip to the Great Barrier of some members of the egal profession during the holidays did not; ake place, owing to the threatening aspect of the weather. — Captain Morris, erstwhile M.H.R. for the East Coast, has been entertaining the new chums by the "Lady Jocelyn," and the townsfolk of Tauvanga at his station. — At the next general election, Mr. W. S. Speight intends to be a candidate for one of the scats for City West. The contest for City East was so close last time, that he does not wish to risk a very possible failure. — Mr. F. G. Ewington, following the example set by his quondam pastor, Rev. A. W. Webb, made his debut as a peel in the Domain oh January 3. He ran in St. Sepulchre's champion race, and succeeded in placing himself second. His stride was much admired. — The Bitptists have hoav finally decided not to purchase St. Mark's organ. Some of the congregation think its acquisition would result in the development of Ritualistic practices, so they refused to sanction the proposed innovation. — The late masquerade ball in the Albert Hall was to have been held on Boxing night, and the hall had been engaged for that evening, but as the Catholics wished to continue theii* "bazaar on that night, the promoters of the masquerade ball gracefully relinquished their right — on receiving £12. — An interesting marriage took place at Tauxanga on Monday, the bride being Miss Kate Wragley, and the bridegroom Mr. W. M. Commons. The ceremony was quietly conducted, and subsequently the happy pair proceeded to Waiwera Hot Springs, where they intend to spend the honeymoon. — Next week, Mr. G. N. Brassey, solicitor, of the Thames, is to be married to Miss Bella Motion, youngest daughter of William Motion, Esq., of Western Lodge ; and Dr. Edgelow is to be married to Miss Bella Niceol, second daughter of Mr. Henry Niccol, ship-builder of the North Shore. —Mrs. McCaul gave a pleasant party at Coromandel on the night of December 28th. There were present several visitors from Auckland, one of whom officiated as crier of forfeits. Dancing and kissing were the favourite amusements. A certain young lady displayed a striking partiality for the latter. — The kissing contretemps at Coromandel, referred to in last issue, was, it appears, the result of a challenge The fair Miss F. challenged the stalwart Mr. B. to kiss her. Mr. 8., of course, promptly accepted the challenge, and then ensued a terrific combat. Mr. B. was conquered, but his handsome physiognomy even now bears witness to the severity of the combat. — The vessels in harbour presented quite n gala appearance on Wednesday last, being all decorated with bunting in honour of the marriage of Mr. David Mills, manager of the Union S.S. Company, and Miss Maggie Macfaiiane, of this city. Tlxe bride wore a lovely white satin dress, with very long train and long fall, looped with orange blossoms. — The Bay of Plenty Times has a solemn leader, urging with ludicrous seriousness the desirability of entertaining the new-comers by the "Lady Jocelyn" with a picnic, instead of a ball. The editor is evidently dead against any exercise on the " light fantastic toe" and styles those who indulge in such frivolities as "giddy young tilings." —The "Watchdog" informs me that the popular tenor of Beresford-street church choir, who has so long resisted all the blandishments of the fair maidens of that church, is at last en°-a<*ed, he having become enamoured of the charms of an Australian young lady, to whom he was introduced while doing the Sydney Exhibition a few months since. Added to her other attractions, the lady has considerable expe'etations, so the tonor may be fairly congratulated on the success of his pleasure trip, and can say to his bachelor brethren, " go thou and do likewise." Mr. W. of this city, has received the following candid epistle -.—"The Parnell girls think you look more, hideous than ever since you have worn that snuffy coloured suit. Don't flatter yourself for a moment it suits that peculiar looking face of yours. Now, don't be indignant at the thrilling trath, old fellow." To this Mr. W. begs us to publish the following reply : — Mr, W. begs to thank the "Pixrnell Girls" for their polite attention He will always wear "snuff-coloured" clothes jxist to please them. Next week will be a red letter one in the annals of Hauraki, as Nat Brassey is to be married to Miss Motion, at St. Luke's Church, Mount Albert, on the 18th. The bachelor crowd will greatly miss this jovial companion, and the members of the "jokers" aie envious . of Mr. Brassey, but nevertheless wish him the prosperity

—Many of the friends of Mr. E. D. Wilcox, formerly af the firm of Jakins and Wilcox, will be surprised to learn that that gentleman has exchanged his state of single blessedness for that of married bliss. Mrs. Willcox is handsome and accomplished, and when my informant met the bride and bridegroom at the Melbourne Exhibition, whither they had gone for their honeymoon trip, they looked the very picture of happiness. — Few weddings have excited more interest in Auckland than that of Miss Maggie Macfarlane to Mr. Mills, of Wellington. The young lady herself was well known and universally liked, and her parents are much esteemed. The bridal presents on this occasion were unusually numerous and valuable. A diamond cross, a diamond bracelet, a magnificent silver epergne, several cases of silver table and dessert forks, a costly gold watch and albert, two very elaborately worked lambrequins, and a free passage for herself and husband through all the ports of New Zealand, and on to Sydney, may be picked out as some of the most valuable among the many elegant and charming souvenirs, too numerous to mention. — Last Thursday week the North Shore was made gay by the marriage of Mr. Matthew Anderson Clark, junior partner in the firm of Archibald Clark and Sons, and Miss Annie Beveridge, daughter of the late Mr. Andrew Beveridge, solicitor. The bridesmaids were Miss Katie Stewart and Miss Eliza Aitken, who wore simple but effective dresses of light sateen. Mr. Alexander Aitken was the groomsman, while Mr. John Beveridge, the brother of the bride, was Miss Aitken's attendant. The wedding, as is usxial among Scotch people, was solemnised in the house of the bride's mother. The bride and bridegroom started for Sydney and Melbourne on their honeymoon trip by the s.s. " City of New York." — Sundry wiseacres have jumped to the conclusion that Dr. Hooper was the writer of the letter headed, "An 111-used Profession" which appeared in the Herald a few days after the Cup Race. It will be remembered that this epistle complained that it Avas very hard that a medical man could not have a holiday, without being called to attend an accident, &c, &c, and altogether showed that the writer was piqued about something. Well, as I have said, some folks imagine Dr. Hooper was the irate one, and lie most certainly was not. The sooner, therefore, these misguided creatures disabuse their minds of the idea the better, for it is both foolish and unjust. There were other doctors on the course that day. Why not put it down to them ? — Poor Miss Williamson died from typhoid fever, brought on by over study, and over excitement of the brain concerning the approaching examination. Miss Hungerford has now succumbed, and lies dangerously ill at home of the same disease and from the same cause. When, will examiners begin to discover that they are working a serious and fatal injury to the health of the young women teaching in our public schools, by the severity alul length of the examinations to which they are now subjected. Will they teach any better for the ordeal through which they have to pass ? I doubt it. And certainly a distinction should be made between men and women, and an easier set of papers be allotted to the latter, or we shall soon have our best, and most refined young women removed from the schools by lunacy or death. Hard worked throughout the year between teaching and studying, they are slaving now during the holidays, to wind up with a severe examination in the last week in January, and then back to school, and teaching again without any respite. Are the authorities asleep ? — The installation of the Worshipful Master of the "Etra" Lodge, the oldest Masonic Lodge in New Zealand, and the investiture of the officers took place at the Masonic Hotel last Thursday evening. Bro. W. J. Rees, P.M. officiated as Installing Master, and, though lacking in spirit, performed the duty fairly well. The new Worshipful Master, Bro. J. B. Crothers, should have a prosperous year of office, as he himself is possessed of considerable ability, and he will be assisted by excellent officers, viz., Bros. A. Wright, S.W. ; C. Western, J. U. ; Dr. Kidd, Chaplain ; W. L. Mitchell, P.M., Treasurer; A. S. Russell, P.M., Secretary; A. Linabury, S.D. ; F. Quick, J.D. ; F. Rummer, I.G. ; W. H, Fenton and J. Young, Stewards ; and C. Porter, Tyler. There were no less than twenty-two Masters and Past Masters who took part in the ceremony, foremost among whom was R. W. Bro. G. P. Pierce, P.G.M. I.C. for New Zealand. After the ceremony was concluded, the brethren adjourned to the banqueting room, where supper had been laid. After supper they adjourned to the Lodge room, where the usual Masonic and patriotic toasts Avere proposed and duly honoured. The speeches Avere interspersed with songs, Avhich Avere A r ery good, especially those of Bro's Gordon Gooch, H. W. Moore and T. E. Durance and all present seemed to enjoy tlieinseh r es most thoroughly.

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