LATE ORANGE BLOSSOM.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XXI, 27 May 1899, Page 738b

LATE ORANGE BLOSSOM.

BENNETT—PARK. A wedding of more than ordinary interest was celebrated at St. Thomas’ Church, Motueka, on Thursday, 11th May, when Miss Hannah Te Unuhi Park, eldest daughter of Mr Huta Pamariki Park, of Motueka, was married to the Rev. Frederick Augustus Bennett, missionary to the Maoris in the diocese of Nelson. Tht ceremony was performed by the Bishop of Nelson, assisted by the Rev. Archdeacon Grace (Blenheim), the Rev. F. W. Chatterton (All Saints’, Nelson), and the Rev. T. Johnston (St. Thomas’, Motueka). The service was read partly in English and partly in Maori, and Archdeacon Grace preached the sermon in Maori. The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion by friends of the bride. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a becoming travelling costume, consisting of a wellmade green cloth coat and skirt, light silk vest, and stylish hat to match; she also wore a handsome gold chain, the gift of the bridegroom, and carried a beautiful bouquet of white flowers.

The bridesmaids were the Misses Wiwi Park (sister of the bride), Nellie Mules (Nelson), Elsa Johansen, and Janie Katene, who wore becoming dark costumes, and carried shower bouquets of white flowers and autumn leaves; each also wore a beautiful greenstone brooch, set in gold and studded with jewels, gifts of the bridegroom. The bride’s gift to the bridegroom was a pair of greenstone links and a gold ring. The bridegroom was attended by the Rev. J. F. Snee as best man.

There were a large number of guests present both from Motueka and Nelson, who after the ceremony were entertained at the residence of Mr Park, where the wedding breakfast was served in a prettily decorated tent on the lawn. The numerous wedding presents, which were much admired, in the drawing-room, were both handsome and useful. In the evening the Rev. F. A. and Mrs Bennett left Motueka en route to the North Island, where they will spend a few weeks. They carry with them the good wishes of many friends, both European and Maori, with whom they are both very popular.