ORANGE BLOSSOMS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue IX, 27 August 1898, Page 278

ORANGE BLOSSOMS.

A double wedding was celebrated at Havelock, near Hastings, on Aug. 17, when the marriage took place of Miss Alice Crawford to Mr John Harvey; and of Miss Bertha Cra.wford to Mr William Gimblett, Both brides, who are. step-daughters of Mr Evison, of Pukahau, wore dresses of white lustre and white hats to match. The bridesmaids, who were the Misses Foreman, Guthrie. Gimblett, and Evison, wore pretty dresses of fawn ami green. Mr Bridgman and Mr Rymer acted as groomsmen. Miss Watson presided at the organ, and played a. pretty wedding march.

GOLDEN WEDDING. A social gathering of unusual interest took place last Monday in the “Church parlour ” of the Pitt-slreet Wesleyan Church to celebrate the golden wedding of Mr ami Mrs F. L. Prime. Nearly eighty guests accepted the invitation, most of whom were colonists of 35 to 45 years’ experience. Among the ministers present were Revs. H. R. Dewsbury (chairman), W. ,1. Williams, Dr. George Brown (secretary Australasian Conference), W. J. Watkin, ,1. IL Simmonds (principal of Three Kings College), A. Peters, W. Gittos and E. Best. Punctually at ti o’clock the assembly gathered, and were hearty in their congratulations to Mr ami Mrs Prime. After many welcomes had been exchanged by old friends the Irell announced that tea was ready, ami Mr and Mrs Prime led the way. Tlie tables in the large schoolroom were laden with fruit, Howers, etc. The ceremony of cutting the bride’s cake was performed by Mrs Prime, and the guests were then handed portions, and the ladies were loud in praise of its quality The Rev. 11. R. Dewsbury proposed the health of Mr and Mrs Prime, and the gentlemen rose in honour of the toast. Mr Prime, on lielialf of himself and Mrs Prime, thanked the Chairman and the

friends for their kindly feelings, expressing his gratitude in a most feeling manner. On returning to the “ Church parlour” the guests arranged themselves in order, with Mr and Mrs Prime in the centre of the room. Miss Elsie Heid playing Mendelssohn’s “ Wedding March.” The Chairman in introducing the programme of the evening expressed on behalf of the assembly the pleasure of presenting to Mr and Mrs Prime two easychairs, hoping that they would live long to use these articles of furniture. Mr Prime, in a happy address full of feeling, recapitulated the leading events of his life, going far back to his arrival in Auckland in 1855, pointing out in an unostentatious manner the way’ in which he had been called to serve as a citizen, and above all as a Christian, in connection with the Methodist Church. The recounting of old and favoured events since his arrival in the colony gave great pleasure to the hearers, who were mostly familiar with them all. At the conclusion of the ad dress, three cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Prime.

Congratulatory addresses were given by the Rev. W. J. Williams, Mr R. B. Shalders, Rev. E. Best (who composed and recited a beautiful poem for the occasion), Rev. W. Gittos, Rev. W. J. Watkin, Rev. Dr. Brown, Messrs T. Allen, J. 1.. Wilson, T. Buddle, R. Hobbs and J. Edson. Every speaker emphasised the fact that from a long and intimate knowledge of Mrand Mrs Prime they could testify they bore an unblemished reputation. During theevening a basket of beautiful white Howers was presented to Mrs Prime by Miss Lawry, daughter of the Rev. H. H. Lawry. The chairman (Rev. H. R. Dewsbury) sang “The Yeoman’s Wedding.” Mrs Dewsbury’ ami Miss Elsie Reid played the accompaniments. The assembly broke up at 9.30.