THE Social Sphere

Observer, Volume XVI, Issue 950, 13 March 1897, Page 8

THE SOCIAL SPHERE

By Muriel.

One day last week, Admiral Bridge, Captain Fieher, and other officers of H.M.S Orlando accompanied by Col. and Mrs Goring, the Mesdames Bloomfield (2) Miss Ida George and several other ladies, drove out to the Lake in a foar-in-hand and had -afternoon tea at Mr Lockley's admirably appointed hotel. Prior to their departure, the Admiral said he had never seen a lovelier spot or witnessed a more delightful prospect than was to be had from the hotel verandah. The naval visitsrs thoroughly enjoyed their excursion. Miss Ida George drove the party home again in first class style.

An exceedingly pretty and attractive wedding was solemnised on Wednesday afternoon, March 3rd, at Onthunga, the contracting couple being Miss Laura Dunwoodie, youngest daughter of Mr W. Dunwoodie, an old and respected resident in the district, and Mr ,7. Heaton Von Stunner third son of Mr Spencer Von Stunner, of Parnell. The ceremony took place in the Presbyterian Church, which was crowded with the numerous friends of the young couple. The Rev. P. McQueen officiated, and Mrs Heave presided at the organ and performed the Wedding March at the close of the service The bride,who was given away by her father, looked both winsome and charming attired in a beautiful dress of white figured lustre, with, long Watteau train of white satin, finished with chiffon and sprays of orange blossoms. The bodice and sleeves were also tastefully trimmed with Batin chiffon and orange blossoms, coronet of orange blossoms, embroidered Guile veil, and she carried an exquisitely beautiful shower bouquet, the gift of the bridegroom. She also wore a handsome gold and diamond bracelet and beautiful little gold watch and- chain, the bridegroom's gift. The bride's gift to the bridegroom was a pair of handsome gold sleeve-links.

The bridesmaids were Miss Dunwoodie, Miss Von Stunner, and Miss Nellie Vanse, a little cousin of the bride. The first conplo wore tasteful and charming dresses alike of pale blue lustre, trimmed with white satin, and silver passementerie, dainty white lace hats with ostrich tips, and each wore a dainty gold band ring set with rubies, and carried lovely shower bouquets, the gifts of the bridegroom The little maiden wore a dainty frock of primrose silk trimmed with white lace and ribbon, white lace picture hat, white openwork stockings, and satin shoes. The bridegroom's gifts to her were a pretty gold brooch with the initials of bride and bridegroom and a shepherdess's crook adorned with white ribbon and roses, which she carried. Mr C. H. Page acted as best man, and Mr J. Dunwoodie and Master H. Warren as groomsmen. The guests, who were confined to the relatives pf the families, were subsequently entertained at afternoon tea by the parents of the bride. Mr and Mrs Von Stnrmer departed by the evening train for the Waikato en route for Botorua, where the honeymoon is being spent. A very large collection of handsome and costly presents were received by the young couple.

Mrs Dunwoodie (mother of the bride) wore an elegant dress of black figured lustre finished with a pretty fischu of primrose chiffon, black and primrose bonnet; Mrs G. Vause, senr., handsome black silk gown, black bonnet; Mrs G. Vause, iunr., pretty navy, and czeme dress finished with chiffon, stylish creme hat trimmed with red roses ; Mrs A.. H. Taylor, handsome black costume ; Mrs W. H. Churton, pretty white dress and bonnet ; Miss Von Stunner, dainty dreßS of white hail shower muslin, lace hat ; Mrs D. Brown, handsome dress of checked summer tweed trimmed with silk and passementerie, black velvet picture hat finished with quills and yellow roßes ; Miss Olga Von Stunner, dainty white muslin dress and sun bonnet ; 'Mrs R. Vause, becoming creme and brown costume, brown picture hat ; Mrs 8. Barr, very pretty dress of creme crepon trimmed with green, lace hat.

A quiet but interesting . wedding eventuated in the Presbyterian Church, West Tamaki, on the 24th ultimo, the contract-

ing parties being Miss C.E.E. Mathews, eldest daughter of the late Mr. James Mathews, formerly of Maukn, and "Mr. A. G. Pilkington, of "W est Tamaki. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. D. J. Steele, and quite a number of friends, both from the district and ffom town, were present, the church being prettily decorated for the occasion. The bride, who was attended by her Bister, Miss Jessie . Mathews, and the Misses Hicks and Pilkington, was. given away by Mr. C. Daley, of Ponsonby, and wore a very tasteful trained gown of ivory silk lustre trimmed with chiffon and figured silk, wreath of orange blossoms and tulle veil prettily embroidered, and she carried a beautiful bouquet. The gift of the bridegroom was a gold bracelet, and the bridesmaids wore gold brooches, also gif ta of the groom, and each carried a handsome bouquet. Mr C. Pilkington acted aB best man. The party afterwards returned to town, and were entertained at the residence of the bride's mother at an excellent wedding breakfast, after which the happy couple departed for their honeymoon amidst hearty good wishes. Mr and Mrs Pilfeington were the recipients of numerous handsome and useful presents from their many friends.

The marriage of Misß Emily Farrell, youngest daughter of Mr James Farrell of Kihikihi, to Mr J. Sullivan of Kihikihi, but more recently of Coolgardie, where he has been very successful, took place on a recent date in the Roman Catholic Church, Kihikihi, the Rev. Father Luck officiating The church was crowded with interested friends. The bride was given away by her father, and wore a very pretty trained gown of fine white cashmere, tastefully trimmed with lace, orange blossoms, and ribbons, wreath of orange blossoms, tulle veil, and she carried a beautiful bouquet. The bridesmaids were Miss Farrell, Miss White (cousin), and two tiny nieces, the latter wearing pretty frocks of pink veiling, and white tulle picture hats ; Miss Farrell waß attired in a charming dress of creme cashmere, creme picture hat with ostrich S' * js, and relieved with a touch of green, iss White wore a similar costume, the only difference being a little pink introduced into the trimmings of the hat. Each carried a pretty bouquet. After the ceremony, the bridal party drove to the residence of the bride's father, where they were entertained. Mr and Mrs Sullivan departed last week for Sydney, en route for.. their future' home at Coolgardie.

Mr J. Reading, builder and contractor, of Auckland, was on a recent date united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Louisa Kennedy, of Kihikihi. The ceremony, which was very quiet, took place in the Roman Catholic Church, the Rev. Father Luck officiating.

A very pretty wedding took place on the 25th inßt. in the Wesleyan Church, Rawene, the contracting couple being Mr Robert R. Menzies, eldest son of Mr G. G. Menzies, and Miss Cockroft. daughter of the late Dr. Cockroft. The Rev. W. Gittos officiated. The bride was given away by Mr Freer, grandfather of the bridegroom, and wore a beautiful trained bridal gown of creme figured silk, tastefully trimmed with chiffon and sprays of orange blossoms wreath of orange blossoms, tulle veil, and Bhe carried a lovely bouquet Miss Nellie Burr and Miss MeGilp performed the duties of bridesmaids, both attired in pretty creme dresses. The bridegroom's gifts were dainty gold brooches. Messrs H. and A. Menzies attended the bridegroom. The church was beautifully decorated for the event, and was filled with friends from far and near to witness the nuptials. A reception was subsequently held in the district hall by the parents of the bridegroom, which was attended by a large number of guests.

The engagement is announced of Miss Alice James, second daughter of Mrs James, of Mount Eden, to Mr Kibble, of Coromandel.

The marriage of Mr Robert Boag,"of the Upper Township, Coromandel. to 3 Miss M aud "Wild, eldest daughter of Mr Henry Wild, manager of the Hauraki No. 2 mine, was solemnised on Tuesday, Feb. 23rd, in Christ Church, Coromandel. The Rev. Mr Harrison officiated The bride was given away by her father, and wore a tasteful and pretty creme gown, and the usual wreath and veil ; she was attended by Miss Annie Boag and Miss Alice Wild, the former attired in a pretty creme dress, and the latter in pale bine. Mr 3. Boag attended his brother as best man. The bridal party and a number of guests were subsequently entertained at an excellent wedding breakfast at the residence of the bride's parents, when numerous good wishes were expressed for the future happiness of the newly wedded couple. The | honeymoon is being spent in Auckland.

The marriage of Mr E. D Hoben, until recently a member of the literary staff of the Evening Post, Wellington, but 'now engaged on the staff of a Sydney journal, to Mias Neltnes, a late member of the nursing staff of the Wellington Hospital,, was arranged to take place quietly at Sydney last week. The charming bride-

elect was accompanied to Sydney a few weeks back by Miss Bagge, also a member of the nursing staff at the Wellington Hospital, who was to officiate as bridesmaid, while Mr Sydney Hoben was to act as groomsman. The bride's costume was of fine creme serge . coßtume cloth, and large tan and creme picture hat, trimmed with buttercups and creme ribbon. It was intended to spend the honeymoon up the Eawkeßbury. •

We have just unpacked at the Obsebveb Office the^choicest assortment of Wedding Cards' ever inported into Auckland. Ladies are requested to call and inspect them.

All Saints' Church, Ponaonhy, was the scene of a prettily arranged wedding on Monday afternoon, the contracting couple being Miss Ethel Steadman, daughter of Mr T. Steadman, seedsman of Queenstreet, and Mr Alexander Campbell Steele, a run-holder of Poverty Bay. The Rev. Canon Calder officiated. The bride wore a charming gown of figured silk lustre, trimmed with brocaded silk and lace, and stylish hat era suite, and she carxied a magnificent bouquet. The bridesmaids were Miss Connie Burton and Misß Gwynne Newell. Mias Burton wore a pretty primrose dress, lace fischn, creme and yellow hat, and she carried a beautiful bouquet. Miss Newell was attired in a dainty white muslin frock, picture hat, and she carried a pretty basket of flowers. Mr Fred Burton acted as best man. Mr and Mrs Steele departed for their future home on Tuesday, by the s.s. Anglian.

— What was the account that caused the resignation of a certain committeeman of the Amateur Athletic Clnb ? Sorely not the account for the use of the starting gate.

Witness her rondo in tTie first act and her subsequent "duet with Fiaraetta. Theße numbers.with the > EBtudiantina ' trio, the cooper's song and chorus, the « billet dopx ' trio, and the highly effective finale, were the; numbers that won warmest plaudits from' the. audience. .