THE SOCIAL SPHERE

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1094, 16 December 1899, Page 8

THE SOCIAL SPHERE

By Muriel*

An interesting and extremely pretty wedding wbb celebrated on Friday, Bth mat., in St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell. The contracting conple were Miss Elsie Laishley, youngest daughter of Dr Laishley, LL.B., of Parneli, and Mr Ernest O Roberts, partner in the law firm of Lane and Roberts, Sydney. As the bride and her family are well-known in Parnell, a large congregation of friends assembled to witness the happy event. The Rev. George MacMnrray officiated. The bride was given away by her father, and looked very winsome and dainty in a beautiful dress of rich white duchess satin, made with long train, finished with mousseline de soie.

The bodice was tastefully trimmed with real lace and embroidered in pearls, the yoke and sleeves were transparent, and the bodice was finished with a very becoming Medici collar of lace. She carried a beautiful shower bonqnet finished with ribbon. Miss Thome George acted as bridesmaid, and looked very dafnty in a

dress of pale green Bilk covered with lace, black picture hat with plumes, and carried a beautiful bouquet of carnations and ferns, finished with pale green ribbon. Mr Bettingfcon, of Oaklands Park, Sydney, attended the bridegroom. Mr J. A. Beale presided at the organ and performed the Wedding March. A large number of guests were subsequently entertained by Dr and Mrs Laiehley at their residence in St. Stephen's Avenue, where the beautiful wedding presents were displayed.

The marriage of Mr C. Dunn and Miss M. McFarlane takes place on Wednesday, January 3rd, 3900, in the Devonport Presbyterian Church.

The marriage of Mr A, M. Ferguson, for a number of years a member of the literary staff of the Star, to Miss Neßsie Burns, only daughter of Mr and Mrs John Burns, of Epßom, was solemnised on Friday last at the residence of the bride'B parents. The house waß beautifully decorated with white flowers for the happy event. The Eev. George Brown, of Onebunga, officiated. The bride was given away by her father, and wore a beautiful dresß of rich white brocaded silk, and the usual wreath and veil. Misß Lennox attended the bride, and Mr P. Marshall acted as best man. The wedding presents were very numerous and handsome, and included presentations to the bridegroom from the proprietors of the Star, and also from the employees. The employees of Messrs John Burns and Company presented a silver soup tureen and set of entree dishes, also in silver.

The marriage has recently taken place in England of Mi Alfred Saunderß, exM.H.8., and late Father of the House of Representatives, to Miss Sarah Box, of Shirley, Southampton. Mr Sannders was one of the earliest settlers in New Zealand, and is now 79 yeara of age. His bride was a playmate in his yonthfnl days, and is a cousin of hia first wife, who died three years ago

The marriage of Mr Ernest B. Dnfanr and Mißs Ethel Dixon, daughter of Mr J. Dixon, of Mount Albert, was solemnised on Wednesday of last week, and occasioned considerable interest amongst a large circle of friends. The ceremony took place in the Bishop's private chapel, at Bißhopsconrt, Parnell, the Moßt Reverend the Bishop of Auckland, Primate of New Zealand, officiating, assisted by the Eev. J. P. Cowie. The bride was given away by her father, and looked very dainty and charming in a stylish tailor-made costume of grey cloth, the jacket finished with collar of white satin, veiled with old point, and hat to correspond. She also wore a magnificent necklace of pearls, with pearl and diamond pendant, and a diamond and sapphire ring, and carried a beautiful ahower bouquet, the gifts of the bridegroom. The Misses Dixon (two) acted ac bridesmaids, and wore handsome dresses of white figured Sicilian with sasheß of buttercup silk, and black velvet picture hats with white ostrich plumes. Each carried a beautiful bouquet and wore a

gold muff chain, the gifts of the bridegroom. Mr 'J. C. Davies acted as beat man, and Mr Clement Dixon as groomsman. After the ceremony the bridal party drove to ' Mainshaw,' the residence of the bride's parents, at Mount Albert, where a reception was held. The happy couple were the recipients of a very large and valuable collection of wedding gifta.

The marriage of Mr J. Graham to Miss B. Whittington, of Ponsonby, is announced to take place on Wednesday, December 27th.

The marriage of Mias Ida Constance Jagger, daughter of the late Mr Samuel Jagger, and Mr R. Stiggall was solemnized in the Bishop's Private Chapel, Parnell, on "Wednesday week. The ceremony was extremely quiet, only the relatives of the contracting families being present. The Most Rev. the Bishop of Auckland officiated, assisted by the Rev. J. P. Cowie. The bride waß given away by her uncle, Mr Frank Jagger, and looked very winsome and charming in a beautiful dress of. white mousseline-de-soie, over white silk. After the wedding breakfast, Mr and Mrs Stiggall departed, en route for Rotorna, to spend their honeymoon. The young couple were the recipients of a large number of beautiful presents and showers of good wishes for a future of the utmost happiness and prosperity. A number of yachts in harbour were gay with bunting throughout the day in honour of the happy event.

The marriage of Miss Eliza Jane (Lizzie), only daughter of Mr Thomas John Stewart, Albany, formerly of Auckland, and Mr W. H. Banbury, eldest son of Mr Stephen Alfred Banbury, of Auckland, was celebrated on Tuesday, November ldth, in St. Matthew's Church, Auckland The Rev. Mr Butterfield officiated in the presence of a number of friends, amongst whom the wedding occasioned a good deal of interest. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr A. Stewart, and looked charming in a handsome creme dress trimmed with satin, lace and orange blossoms, the nsnal wreath and veil, and carried a beaatiful shower bouquet finished with streamers of ribbon. ihe bridesmaids were Misses Tottie Laurence and Clara Payne, and Misses Lillie and Clara Ashton. The first couple wore pretty blue and white costumes, and the latter looked dainty in white. Each carried- a pretty bouquet, and wore a gold brooch, the gifts of the bridegroom. Mr William Stewart acted aB best man. After the ceremony' the bridal party drove to Victoria Hall, where an excellent wedding breakfast was prepared. The evening was spent most enjoyably, and when leaving for their future home the young couple were showered with good wishes for a happy and prosperous future. The wedding presents were both numerous and handsome.

Now that the summer weather is drawing in, and we are on the eve of the holidays, little drives and steamer excursion trips will be the order of the day. In this connection, let ns mention that the popularity of St. Heliera as a pleasure resort has been enhanced Bince the establishment of the Fairy Bower Dining and Refreshment Rooms and Shades by Mr and Mrs O'Leary. Great satisfaction waß given by the Fairy Bower last year, and already complete arrangements have been made for the present season, including everything from the lightest of refreshments to a firßt-clasß poultry dinner. It iB desirable, in order to prevent disappointment, that orders for the Christmas holidays should be booked as early as possible.

The best excursion for Christmas Day is unquestionably that of the Newton Brass Band in the Wakatere ronnd the islands of the gulf; tickets only 23 each.