The Social Sphere

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 948, 27 February 1897, Page 10

The Social Sphere

By Muriel.

The marriage of Miss Alice Philcox, fifth daughter of Mr W. Philcox of Devonport, to Mr Marcus Cooper, was solemnised on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 17th, in Holy Trinity Church, Devonport. The marriage occasioned a good deal of interest, and the church was crowded with the numerous friends of the young couple, who are both very popular. The altar, chancel, and choir rails were tastefully decorated with white flowers and greenery • and a light and graceful arch of palms and evergreens was erected at the entrace to the chancel, under which the young couple stood during the ceremony. The Rev. Canon Bates officiated, the service being partly choral. The bride entered the church with her father, who gave her away. She .wore a handsome bridal gown of ivory white satin, made with long square cut train from the waist. The bodice was prettily trimmed with gathered chiffon.cryatal passementerie and sprays of orange blossoms, coronet of orange blossoms, long tulle veil, and she carried an exquisite shower bouquet of natural orange blossoms, white flowers, grasses . and ferns. The bridegroom's gift was a beautiful little gold watch. The bridesmaids were the Misses Ella Philcox, Annie Cooper, Nina Philcox (sisters of the bride ana bridegroom respectively), Ivy Philcox, Marie Johnston, Rene trladys Philcox, and Laura Johnston, the latter five being youthful nieces of the ■bnae. The first four wore simple and dainty dresseß of white hail-shower muslin, the skirts finished at the edge with two frills edged with narrow lace fichus of muslin finished with frills edgei with lace, picture hats of white chiffon and lace, trimmed with white tips, the first couples having a touch of green, and the other two being pure white. Each carried a beautiful loose bouquet of lovely white flowers, grasses and ferns. The four tiny girls wore dainty frocks of green and maize silk, two in each colour, and finished with wide collars of creme lace, pretty creme felt picture hats, trimmed with creme satin ribbon and creme ostrich tips, and each carried a beautiful basket of flowers. The wedding was moat tastefully arranged, the whole effect being very charming and pretty. Mr Bert Cooper acted as best man, and Mr Harry Philcox as groomsman. After the ceremony, the bridal party and a number of guests drove to • The Shrubbery,' the residence of Mr ana Mrs Philcox, where a reception was held. Mr and Mrs Cooper were the recipients of a very large collection of beautiful and valuable wedding presents, including a handsome bedroom suite and beautiful dining room sideboard. Mrß Philcox wore a handsome gown of shot blue and green figured material, and pretty little bonnet ; Mrs E. W. Queree, pretty blue-grey striped lnstre dress, the bodice finished with full front of cream silk, cream hat ; Mrß Johnston, dainty pink muslin dress with black spots, and finished with narrow black velvet, large leghorn hat with tips and bright pink flowers; Mrs Hill (aunt of bride), black silk and brocade gown, black and rose pink bonnet ; Mrß Stanley Cooper, black, the bodice prettily finished with pink chiffon and jet ; Mrs Philcox, junr., pretty Bhot green dress, hat to correspond ; Miss Bowles, tasteful costume of light fawn, with tiny pale blue stripes, creme hat ; Miss Bedell, lawn and old gold silk costume, cream and yellow hat. Mrs E. C. Smith, of Parnell, is visiting her parents, Captain and Mrs Fairchild, of ! Wellington. The engagement is announced of Miss Brett, eldest daughter of Mr Henry Brett, to Mr W. Rainger, of the firm of Rainger and Forness, sharebrokera and mining agents. The engagement is announced of Miss Beatrice Knight, eldest daughter of Mr Godfrey Knight, formerly of Wellington, to Mr Rolands, of bydney. Miss Knight, I understand, is the niece of the Acting Governor, Sir James Prendergaßt, and Lady Prendergast, of Wellington.

JThe "engagement has _ recently been announced of Miss Mazy Gore,- second daughter of Mr R.B. Gore of Wellington, to Mr Marchbanks, of the Wellington and Manawatn Railway Company. • .. : " Itiß reported that there is a probability of Lady Dorothy- Boyle spending a year in India with one of her brothers. i An interesting double wedding was celebrated on February 9th, in the Wesleyan Church, Paparoa, the contracting iconples being Miss Clara Cliff and Mr Alfred Dreadon, third son of Mr G. Dreadon, of Arapohue, and Miss Alice Cliff and Mr Edward Wilson, fourth eon of Mr T. W- Wilson, of Paparoa. The brides were the~ daughters of Mr G. i Cliff, J.P., of'Panaroa The Rev. .Mr Rothwell officiated in the presence of a large congregation of friends and neighI bours of the young conples. I Mrs Fairfax Fenwick,' of Napier, has arrived in Auckland on a visit to her parents, Dr and Mrs Wilkins of Symondstreet. The marriage of Mr A. Vyvyan Hunt, of the New Zealand Herald, to Miss Lelia Smith, a young lady who recently arrived from England with Canon and Mrs Calder, was quietly eolemnised at eight a.m.on Wednesday, February 17th. The ceremony took place in St John's College Chapel, Tamaki, the Rev. Canon Calder officiating. The bride was given away by Mr A. E. Bedford, and wore a tasteful pale grey dress and hat to correspond. The newly wedded couple and a few friends were entertained at luncheon by Canon and Mrs Calder at All Saints' Vicarage, after which Mr and Mrs Hunt departed to spend their honeymoon at Waitakerei. The invitations are being issued for the opening dance in connection with the Gondolier Socials, which takes place on Monday, 22 ad March. A committee of four gentlemen have the preparations well in hand, and Mr J. Lindsay will act asM.O. A large number of residents of Whangarei Heads and Parua Bay assembled on a recent date for the purpose of bidding farewell to Mis 3 Rose Aubrey, prior to her departure for America. During the evening the young lady was presented with a handsome greenstone and gold brooch, and an illuminated address, which expressed the high esteem and regard entertained for her by her friends, and their regret at her departure fcom among them. Mr George Ross made the presentation, and Mr E. H. Lyons responded on behalf of his sister-in-law. The evening was moat enjoyably spent in dancing, interspersed with songs contributed by Mrs Lyons, Mrs Rutt, Misses R. Aubrey, Betts, Stuart, M. Stuart, and Wright ; Messrs H. Aubrey and J. LeClerc. The marriage of Mr. Thomas Elliott to Miss Johanna O'Connor, of Ngaruawahia, was celebrated on a recent date in the K oman Catholic Chapel, Te Aroha. The Rev. Father Hackett officiated. The bride wore a handsome bridal dress of white silk, prettily trimmed with chiffon and orange blossoms, wreath of orange blossoms, tuUe veil, and she carried a very pretty bouquet. The Misses O'Connor and Elliott, sisters of bride snd bridegroom respectively, acted as bridesmaids Miss O'Connor wore a very tasteful cream costume, and Misß Elliott a pretty cream dress relieved with green. Mr Mace acted as best man. As the newlywedded couple left the chapel, the Wedding March was nicely played by Miss Tottie Clough.