AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 9, 27 February 1892, Page 205

AUCKLAND.

Dear Bee, February 16. Weddings J know are always an interesting subject for feminine gossip, and therefore you will be delighted with a description of one of the very prettiest matrimonial events of the season, and also one of the most interesting, for both bride and bridegroom are not only well known, but general favourites in Auckland society. The contracting couple were Mr A. L. Edwards (so well known as one of our sweetest tenor vocalists) and Miss Kathleen Agnes Johnstone, eldest daughter of Mr Wm. Johnstone, manager of the Auckland F’ibre Company. The marriage was solemnised in St. Sepulchre’s Church, Kyber Pass, in the presence of a large congregation of friends and interested spectators, the Rev. J. Haselden officiating. The service was fully choral, a good attendance of the choir being present under Mr Vincent Rice, who presided at the organ, and who subsequently performed the * Wedding March ' in splendid style at the close of the ceremony. The arrangements in the church were admirably carried out, several of Mr Edwards’ gentlemen friends acting as ushers, and otherwise assisting in carry ingout the details. The bride wasgi ven away by her father, and certainly looked lovely in her magnificent bridal robe of rich cream merveilleux silk, which fitted perfectly. The skirt was made with a very long train from the waist, the plain front being finished at the foot with a flounce of lovely lace, and the gored seams were overlaid with strings of moderately large pearls. The bodice was also finished with lace and edged with pearls, a long graduated fringe of pearls hanging from the front of the bodice over the front of the skirt. The sleeves were high on the shoulder and very foil to the elbow, when they were tight to the cuff, which was finished with lace. She also wore a beautiful wreath of orange blossoms surmounted by an embroidered tulle veil, which fell gracefully over the train. The bride's costume was completed with white kid gloves, satin slippers, and a very large and exquisitely beautiful bouquet of choice floweis and delicate ferns. The bridesmaids—four in number- -were the Misses Wright (first), F. Johnstone, M. Gorrie, and I ’pton. The first named couple wore dainty and very becoming gowns of the sweetest shade in pale blue cashmere relieved with silver. The skirts were plainly finished with a few tucks, whilst the bodices were finished with pale blue silk cord edging and bows of blue ribbon, the vests and cuffs being elaborately braided with silver braid, large and jaunty shaped-hats of pale blue chiffon trimmed with silver passementerie ami bows of chiffon and blue ribbons. Misses Gorrie and Upton also wore dainty costumes alike of cream cashmere, the foot of the skirt draped with bows of cream ribbon ; the bodices were made long, the vest and cuffs braided with gold, and the whole of the seams overlaid with narrow cream silk and gold tinsel gimp ; large hats of cream silk lace trimmed with cream ribbon and gold-coloured velvet flowers. Each young lady carried a beautiful bouquet to harmonise with her costume, and each wore a neat gold bangle, the gift of the bridegroom. The attendant groomsmen were Messrs J. S. Johnstone (best man), Wilfred Bruce, Alf. White, and R. J. Johnstone. At the conclusion of the ceremony the bridal party drove to ‘ Erin Lodge,’ the residence of the bride's parents, < 'leveland Road, I’arnell, where a reception was held, the guests being most hospitably entertained by Mr and Mrs Johnstone. Some hundreds of beautiful and costly presents were received, the collection comprising sets and articles in silver of almost every conceivable kind suitable both for use and ornament, numerous beautiful vases and ornaments of various kinds, both artistic and valuable, and other articles too numerous to mention. The members of St. Sepulchre’s choir, of which Mr Edwards is a prominent member, presented the bridegroom with a very elegantly bound copy of hymns, ancient and modern, with the music. After receiving the congratulations of their friends the happy wedded couple left amid a shower of rice, slippers, etc., for Te Aroha, where the honeymoon will be spent. Mr and Mrs Johnstone purpose giving a party on their return as a welcome home. Tire bride’s going away dress was of dark blue costume cloth, with vest and cuffs of chamois leather, and hat to correspond, the effect being both novel and pretty. The bride's

mother wore an exceedingly handsome gown of rich bottle green mer veil leu x silk, the bodice trimmed with lighter green passementerie trimming, and stylish little bonnet to correspond ; she carried a lovely Irouquet of pink and crim son roses and ferns; Mrs W. H. O. Johnstone wore a beautiful silver-grey gown with vest of white silk, over which was gold passementerie, tiny stringless bonnet to correspond ; Mrs Harr y Johnstone also wore a handsome grey silk gown, the bodice adorned with grey and gold passementerie, small bonnet of grey ostrich tips ; Mrs H. C. Tewsley, dainty cream costume, the skirt beautifully embroidered with silk, and the bodice trimmed with petunia coloured silk, gold bonnet trimmed with petunia velvet and Howers; Mrs Holmwood (Wellington), handsome cream flowered with heliotrope delaine gown, heliotrope and gold bonnet; Mrs J. B. Gilfillan. black and white chic silk gown trimmed with black lace, black lace bonnet trimmed with a wreath of tiny blossoms : Miss Gilfillan, black brocade and lace gown, cream bonnet trimmed with black velvet; Mrs Lewis, block merveilleux gov n richly trimmed with jet, black bonnet trimmed with foliage ; Miss Taylor (Tamaki), very pretty soft white silk gown, large hat covered with white ostrich plumes; Miss Gorrie, pretty gown of white material trimmed with sage gieen silk, and small hat to correspond ; Mrs J. Haselden wore a rich black silk gown, and pretty little bonnet: Mrs (Hr.) Wright also wore black silk and black bonnet ; MrsD. Murdoch, pretty black and white costume, bonnet to match : Mis Upton, rich electric blue merveilleux gown trimmed with embossed plush to match, white bonnet. Amongst other invited guests, some of whom were unable to be present from various causes, but sent lovely presents, were Mr and Mrs E. W. Mills (Wellington), Mr and Mrs W. J. Napier, Mr and Mrs Struthers (Christchurch), Mrs Taylor (Tamaki), Mr and Mrs V. E. Rice, Mr and Sirs T. Charter, Mr and Mrs T. Kissling, Mr Claude Kissling, Mr and Mrs W. Gorrie, Mr Gibbons, Mr Wallace Bruce. Captain and Miss Anderson, Mr Alex. Walker, Mr Harold Bagnell, Miss Prosser, Mr and Mrs Whitson (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs Blakie, Mr Cash, Mr Pollock, and others too numerous to mention. The marriage of Mr J. C. Entrican to Lizzie, eldest daughter of Mr D. Macpherson, was quietly performed at theresidence of the bride’s parents, Selwyn-street, Ponsonby, by the Rev. R. F. Macnicol. The guests present were only the immediate relatives of the families. The bride wore a lovely trained gown of white cashmere finished with lace and orange blossoms, wreath of orange blossoms and handsome tulle veil, and carried a large and very beautiful bouquet. The bridesmaids were the Misses J. Macpherson and Entrican, wearing gowns alike of soft cream matina relieved with gold, and each wore a pretty gold horseshoe brooch set with diamonds and rubies, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr R. Entrican attended his brother in the capacity of best man. At the close of the ceremony the bridal party were entertained by Mr and Mrs Macpherson at a sumptuous wedding breakfast. Mr and Mrs Entrican left by the afternoon train for Rotorua Hot Lakes where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride’s travelling dress was exceedingly handsome—of light grey corduroyclotli trimmed with silver passementerie, and stylish hat to correspond. The wedding presents were numerous and valuable, and comprised articles both ornamental and useful. The bride’s mother wore a handsome gown of black silk flowered grenadine over merveilleux, and trimmed with gold and black passementerie ; Mrs Entrican (sen.), wore a rich black satin gown, and collar and culls of real lace : Mrs A. J. Entrican, handsome gown of rich bengaline silk trimmed with jet and lace ; Miss MacPherson (aunt of the bride) wore a gown of rich black satin sparkling with jet ; Mrs Foreman (an aunt of the bride from America) wore a lovely silk gown ; Mrs It. W. Gallaugher. handsome black silk and lace gown relieved with jet; the Misses MacPherson and Entrican (jun.) wore pretty cream dresses. There have been a great many moonlight picnics this week. One was got up by the Fishing Club, the Misses Baker having very much to do with it. About forty people were present including the otticers of H.M.S. Tauranga. They danced the w hole evening having on board a band. The Misses Rees, Jervis, and Mr Stewart got up a very successful driving picnic to Kohimarama, but by mistake they took the wrong road and came to St. llelier’s Bay ; but that did not spoil the enjoyment of the affair. The H.M.S. Tauranga gave a water picnic also. Mr E. Maclean, of Bleak House, and his niece. Miss Bailey, gave a large picnic, but I will tell you about it next time.

It was a pity that somewhat boisterous weather rather spoilt the water picnic to Motutapu, got up by some energetic members of St. Luke’s Church, Mount Albert. The Ruby was chartered for the afternoon and evening, leaving the Queen-street whaif soon after two o’clock. The run down to the island was not unpleasant, and some of the party were landed, whilst others elected to remain on the steamer and go fishing. Alas ! some of these adventurous spirits, when suffering from mat -de ■ mer, regretted their choice of amusement. Messrs Reid are always so very kind in permitting visitors to go over the pretty island that it is a great shame many people carelessly cut and injure their valuable trees, leave tires burning, which destroy the grass, and even take some of the poultry for a trip in their boat—at least I have been told so. None of these things happened on the present occasion, and the whole party seemed to enjoy themselves very well without doing mischief. By nine o'clock they were back in Auckland, delighted to find vehicles of various descriptions awaiting them. Few lish were caught by the fishing expedition, for which they were much chaffed by the land contingent, who had been ably entertained by Mr Reid s monkey. Amongst the party were Mrs and the Misses Kerr Taylor, Mr and Master Kensington, Mr, Miss, and Master Sellers, various members of Captain Dawson's family, Mrs J. M. Alexander ami family. Miss Dixon, Miss Fioriie Sellers, Mrs Wilkins anil son, Mr Talbot and two daughters, Messrs Haigh, Pollen. Hume, Conder, Townsend Beck, May, Clement Dixon, Motion, etc., etc.

I hear there is a picnic on foot to be a sort of acknowledgement to Mr Tonson Garlick for his kindness in connection with the Mount Alliert Mutual Improvement Society. A Sydney correspondent tells me that Mrs Taylor, whose husband is connected with a large overdraft at the Land Ciedit Bank, bought Mr Fergus Hume's first novel from him for £250, but all the author's profit amounted to was £5O. Mrs and the Misses Keesing, Symond-street, gave a verylarge afternoon tea, and amongst those present were Mrs

Farelie, Mrs and the Misses Baker, Mrs and Miss Nashelski, Mrs Keesing (jun.), Mrs Conolly. Mrs Ont-hwaite, Mrs and Miss Masefield, Mrs and Miss Kerr Taylor, Mrs Niccol and Miss Phillips, Miss Williamson, Miss Benjamin (lately from Sydney), Professor Pond, Mr Cuff and Mr Stewart (H.M.S. Tauranga). Amongst the musical contribution a lady sang very sweetly. I believe her name was Mrs Scio.

Mrs Cottle and her daughter. Miss Burchell, Remuera, gave such a successful little dance the other evening. Songs were sung alternately with the dances, which made it so delightful. Mr T. Jackson, whom we are never tired of listening to, sang, and also Miss Burchell, who wore a pretty yellow satin covered with black lace ; Miss Jervis also sang, she wore white: Mrs Upfil, red silk; Mrs Wilson, black: Mrs McMillan, handsome trained satin ; Mrs Pritt, black ; Miss W. F. Buckiand, black ; Miss White, blue, and her sisters wore white : Miss Pritt, white {skirt and red garibaldi ; Miss Kerr-Taylor and het sister, pink sateen ; Miss Rookes, blue; MissMcDonald, white satin. Therewere many others present, but I have forgotten, and I will let you judge for yourself who was the belle. We had a few more gentleman than ladies, which, of course, adds to the success of a dance. The couples wandered about the beautiful garden in the moonlight. Preparations for the regrettable duty of bidding adieu to our popular ( lovernor and the Countess < inslow are going on apace. A very pretty idea is that of a procession of boats in the harbour to escort the Mararoa round the North Head, as this steamer is to convey the present representative of Her Majesty away from this colony. Unfortunately, Madame Goldenstedt has had to postpone her concert, owing to a sudden attack of influenza. A very satisfactory meeting in connection with St. Matthew’s Church was held the other evening. The death of the late Rev. W. Tebbs, while on health leave, was sorrowfully referred to, and also the depression in church affairs during the time the deceased was in such poor health. The vestry consider the engagement of the Rev. L. H. Outram a cause for congratulation, and under his vigorous charge hope for brighter things for St. Matthew’s. The financial position was improving, considering the unusual expenses to which the parish had recently been put. It was decided to build a handsome stone church in place of the wooden and decaying building now in existence. The appointment of Mr Arthur Towsey, the eminent organist from Dunedin, has given great satisfaction.

Muriel.