THE Social Sphere

Observer, Volume XXVIII, Issue 28, 28 March 1908, Page 8

THE Social Sphere

By Murie

REGARDING the marriage of Miss Linda McLean, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Neil McLean, formerly of Auckland, to Mr Ernest Blundell, eldest son of the late Mr Henry Blundell, of Wellington, the Wellington Free Lance gives the following particulars : — The ceremony was performed at St. John's Presbyterian Church. The Rev. J. Paterson officiated. The bridesmaids were Miss Madge McLean (cousin of the bride), Miss Eileen Blundell (sister of the bridegroom), and Miss Hayward, the bride also being attended by dainty little Peggie Tringbam and Master lan Tringham (niece and nephew of the bridegroom). Mr C. Blundell was best man, and Mr Willie Shannon, of Feilding, and Mr Allan McLean, were groomsmen

The bride wore a handsome dress of white taffetas, trimmed with duchesse and Honitonlace, and had on the usual veil and coronet of orange blossoms. Miss Madge McLean was dressed in white taffetas, and moss green hat w-ith large mauve rose, and carried a mauve bouquet and tbe same tinted streamers. Miss Hayward was in white taffetas, and green hat with golden brown rose, and carried a cream and brown bouquet ; Miss Eileen Blundell, in white taffetas, and green hat with pink (rose) bouquet and streamers. The bouquets matched the large rose in each of the hats, and were very effective.

The wee bridesmaid wore a French creation of billowy lace and white mousseline de soie over silk, with a pink rose-bud bonnet, and her brother wore a page's suit of shimmering white satin. A reception was afterwards held at the residence of the bride's parents, in Abel Smith-street. There was erected in the spacious grounds a unique marquee, the interior carried out in Maypole style, and festooned with white and vivid ciel blue draperies, and the table was a sight with the large wedding cake and dainty things. Happy marriage speeches were made by the Rev. Mr Paterson, the Hon. Kennedy Macdonald, Mr Aitken, the bridegroom (Mr Blundell), and Mr Neil McLean (father of the bride).

Mrs Neil McLean wore a dress of petunia taffetas, trimmed with beautiful Honiton lace, and hat to match with long plumes, and carried a bouquet in the same tones. Mrs Henry Blundell was frocked in pale grey brocade and gobelin blue, with hat to match. Mrs John Blundell had on a charming black net over white satin, and toque hat to match ; Mrs C. Tringham, an elegant pastel pink silk chiffon, over same tint of glace silk, Empire style, and large picture hat with toned roses from deep to light pink ; Mrs Kennedy Macdonald, in rich black Spanish lace over white satin, and black and white hat.

Mrs John Duthie wore a pale blue frock, and black plumed velvet hat with blue tassels and gold trimmings ; Mrs Walter Blundell, brown taffetas, with creme straw hat with brown and creme foliage; Mrs Percy Blundell, pastel pink taffetas, and becoming hat ; Mrs Mcllwraitb, green taffetas silk, with bands of green velvet and creme lace, and pale blue hat with same shade of feathers ; Mrs Parker, pale tinted blue frock, with la cloche hat trimmed with pale blue plumes.

Mrs Amelius Smith was in a dark green costume, and smart picture hat ; Mrs Louis Blundell, beautiful frock of striped black chiffon over white silk, and becoming hat ; Mrs B. Wilson, white embroiderie Anglaise, and black hat ; Mrs Digges Smith, pale blue

Venetian cloth, trimmed with Oriental finishings, and pale blue hat with white plume ; Mrs Holdship, grey checked silk, and large picture hat ; Mrs Holmwood, elegant black costume, and large black hat ; Miss Prouse, pastel grey silk frock, lace trimmings, and chic hat ; Miss Rogers, pretty pink frock, and picture hat. The wedding trip is being made in the North and at Rotorua, the bride going away in a handsome frock of vieux rose taffeta silk, with smart picture hat to match, and white fox furs. The wedding of the young couple took place on the anniversary of Mr and Mrs Neil McLean's own wedding day. * * *

Mr and Mrs J. A. Bradstreet, of Takapuna, left Auckland by the Wimmera on Monday, and will spend about six months on a trip to the Old Country. Prior to their departure, they were entertained by a number of their friends at a farewell gathering in the Takapuna Presbyterian Sunday School. Mr and Mrs Bradstreet count as a social force at Takapuna, particularly from the interest they take in the welfare of the young people of the district, and even their temporary absence will be greatly felt.

A pretty wedding was quietly solemnised by the Rev. W. Day in the Congregational Church, Esplanade Road, Mount Eden, on March 4th. The contracting couple were Mr J. Scott - Fleming, of the Cambridge Sanatorium, and Miss Ellen Blacknell, third daughter of Mrs Willets, of Devonport. The bride, who was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr B. Grayson, looked charming in white crepe de chine, tastefully trimmed with silk lace insertion and satin bands, beautifully embroidered tulle veil, and coronet of orange blossoms. She carried a white morocco Bible with satin streamers, to the end of which orange blossoms were attached. She was attended by Misses Alice and May Blacknell, sister and niece of the bride, respectively, who looked pretty in creme silk voile frocks, tucked,, and trimmed with insertion, and lace kimono bretelles. They carried baskets of pink bella donna lilies and maidenhair. Mr Edwin Blacknell, brother of the bride was best man.

After the ceremony, the bridal party and many friends drove to tbe residence of the bride's sister, Mrs B. Grayson, of " Mairehenno," Mount Eden, where the wedding breakfast was served in a large marquee on the lawn, after which the happy couple left for Te Aroha, The bride travelled in a tailor-made costume of navy cloth, creme lace vest, and white crinoline straw hat with silk rosettes. Mrs Willets, mother of the bride, looked handsome in a black silk voile, with white satin vest, and dainty bonnet. Mrs B. Grayson" wore a very pretty dress of apple green silk over creme net, kimono and bretelles of lace ; Miss Blacknell, navy check silk ; Miss Grayson, white silk.

Mr Claude L. M. Abbott has returned to Auckland from his honeymoon trip, his bride being Miss Annie Maud O'Neill, daughter of Mrs O'Neill, of Black's Point, Reefton. The wedding was celebrated at Mrs O'Neill's residence, Black's Point, the Very Rev. Father Galerne officiating. The bride was given away by her brother, Mr Con. O'Neill, while Mr Peter O'Neill acted as best man. She wore a beautiful trained gown of white taffeta silk, the bodice having a yoke and sleeves of beautiful Carrickmacross lace, and silk kimono, finished off with silver passementerie trimming ; also a tulle veil over a coronet of orange blossoms. Her bouquet was composed of stephanotis and lilies, tied with white satin ribbon, and her jewels were pearl and olivine necklace, the gift of the bridegroom.

The bridesmaids were Misses Sarah and Mary O'Neill (sisters ot the bride). The former wore a very pretty chiffon silk, slightly trained, and a pale blue hat. The latter wore a beautiful ocean green chiffon dress, trained, and hat to match. They cairied bouquets of white roses and lillies of the valley tied with white satin, which, with a diamond and pearl necklace and watch set in pearls were the gifts of the

bridegroom. After the ceremony the guests were entertained by Mrs O'Neill, who was attired in a handsome dress of nierv silk, and later the newly married couple left on their tour. The bride's travelling dress was a champagne coloured cloth, trimmed with floral facings, and hat to match ornamented with blue and white roses.

The engagement is announced of Miss Ida Short, youngest daughter of Mr G. Short, of College Road, to Mr George Tutt, of Symonds-street.

A quiet wedding was solemnised on Wednesday afternoon, March 18th, in St. Patrick's Cathedral, when Miss Constance Laura Buckland, eldest daughter of the late Mr Alfred Buckland, was united with Mr Patrick Keenan, of the Lands Department, Auckland. The bride was given away by her uncle, Mr S. Buckland, and wore a tailor-made navy blue cloth travelling costume, and pale blue hat with white gossamer. Miss A. Esam attended as bridesmaid, and wore a pretty pale blue silk frock, made pinalore style, over a creme lace blouse, and hat to correspond. Amongst the many presents received by the young couple was a handsome marble clock, presented to the bridegroom by the stafl of the Lands Department, Auckland.

The garden party given last week by the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs Arthur M. Myers) was a delightful oasis in the desert of social gaieties at present experienced. Tbe weather was perfect, and the large gathering of visitors spent a most enjoyable afternoon in the beautiful grounds. Afternoon tea was served in a large marquee on the tennis lawn. The floral decorations were in exquisite taste, flowers and ferns being used with charming eflect. Amongst the many representative visitors, were Sir John and Lady Campbell, and Lady Stout, Mr J, SS. Larke the Canadian Commisioner now visiting New Zealand, and all the Consuls resident in Auckland, besides members of local bodies and their wives.

The guests were received by Mr and Mrs Myers on the verandah, the Mayoress wearing a beautiful dress of lace and pale pink satin in alternate stripes, over glace silk finished with lace flounces, and pale pink picture hat, with long pale pink ostrich feathers ; Mrs Myers, senr,, wore a handsome gown ot grey and black striped silk, the bodice tastefully finished with white lace ; Mrs Coleman, smart costume of black silk, with narrow white lace, and flower-trimmed hat : Miss Ruby Coleman, lovely white dress and hat ; Miss Cohen (of Sydney, a cousin of Mss A. M. Myers), pretty light blue dress trimmed with lace, and white silk hat trimmed with fringed white silk and silver cords.

Mrs Stopford, ivory silk tailor-made costume and pretty black and white hat ; Mrs Moss Davis, elegant grey silk muslin over glace, trimmed with lace, and toque, to match ; her daughter, Mrs Moss (Sydney)', dainty white embroidered frock and pale blue hat ; Misses Blanch and Muriel Davis, pale blue and white frocks respectively, and hats with long feathers ; Lady Campbell, black taffeta silk and black and white bonnet ; Mrs T. C. Williams, black silk gown, lace scarf, and pretty white bonnet with ospreys and pale pink roses ; Mrs J. A. Tole, handsome dress of grey striped Bilk, and hat to match, with grey ostrich feather ; Mrs Savage, dainty pale green dress, hat to correspond ; Mrs. E. W. Alison, beautiful dress of heavy white silk, embroidered in heliotrope, heliotrope hat to correspond ; Mrs Fotheringham (nee Miss Alison), dainty creme lace dress over glace, black hat with black and white ostrich feathers.