EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT A WEDDING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 486, 7 December 1869, Page 3

EXTRAORDINARY SCENE AT A WEDDING.

{From the Newcastle English Chronicle). On Monday morning, a most unusual and exciting scene was witnessed in St John's Church, Westgate-street, Newcastle, on the occasion of the marriage of Mr John Gibson, master chimney-sweep, and Miss Eliza Sherwood. Mr Gibson, whose popular qualities are generally acknowledged, is better known in sporting circles as "Mooney," and the young lady whom he has " wooed and won," has, for some few weeks, been occupied as a barmaid afc a sporting house in Newcastle. Mr " Mooney " is a well-known supporter of James Renforth, the champion sculler of England, and when the latter rowed Harry Kelly for the championship, the young lady, who is now Mrs Gibson, was placed in the position of a " marriage to nothing " on the result of the mateh — not a matrimonial match, but that between the famous scullers. Renforth won the championship, and the young lady won the promise of a husband. Preparations were then made for the " tying of the nuptial knot," and some of the bridegroomsman's friends having been apprised of the coming event, engaged the town crier to make the following announcement on Sunday night : — This is to give notice, that John Mooney, sweep, Black Knight of the Garter, is going to be married to a very respectable young lady, at St John's Church, at eleven o'clock to-morrow. All friends, neighbours, and acquaintances are requested to attend the marriage festival." This announcement was also repeated, with slight alteration, early on Monday morning, and in consequence, by nine o'clock, some hundreds of persona mustered near the gates in Westgate street, anxious to obtain admission to the church, with the view of witnessing the interesting ceremony. The numbers were considerably augmented every minute, and as soon as the church doors were opened, a rush was made for the best possible places, and in a very short space of time the sacred edifice wa3 crowded to overflowing by as peculiarly rough a congregation as ever assembled in the venerable church of St John's. Mr Bennett, the Beadle, was assisted by a single policeman ; but the former, finding that a disturbance was possible, at once went to the Westgate police-station and obtained further aid. The outer gates of the premises were closed, but the would-be spectators were not to be so deterred, and at once made their way — both men, women, and children— over the iron palisading which enclosed the churchyard, in spite of the threats of two labourers, who, armed with reaping-hooks, with which they had been cutting grass, presented a formidable front. They were soon overcome by combined numbers, and when the bridal party— a numerous and very respectable one — arrived, they were greeted with loud cheers. The Rev H. W. Wright was in attendance to perform the ceremony, and after the bride had been given away by Mr James Renforth, the service was commenced, but had not proceeded far before the continual talking, cursing, and shouting, compelled the reverend gentleman to come to a standstill. Fully a score of times Mr Wright was thus interrupted in his duties, and after closing his book on many occasions, and declining to proceed further with the service, he reminded those present that they were assembled in the House of God. The bridal party, it must, in justice, be stated, conducted themselves with proper decorum, and with a due regard to the solemnity of the occasion. The remarks of the reverend gentleman had the desired effect of silencing a few of the turbulent spectators, but many others were so unruly, that Mr Wright introduced an inspector of police within the altar rails. The presence of this functionary had a beneficial result, and the service, after extending over an hour, was brought to a conclusion. In the meantime, the numbers outside had so increased thafc the traffic of Westgate was almost completely stopped, and it was with difficulty that the bridal party made their way to the four cab 3 which were in readiness to convey them to the breakfast. At length, however, they got seated, and a procession was formed, the rear being brought up by a cart full of sweeps, begrimed with soot, and attired in white hats and gloves. The extraordinary proceedings created considerable sensation throughout the towu.