GENERAL NEWS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue XVII, 24 October 1903, Page 22

GENERAL NEWS.

Included in the cargo of the steamer Somerset, which arrived at Wellington from New York, are six carriages and a dining car for the Manawatu Railway Company, by one of the largest firms in the United States. They are said to be superior to any now running between Wellington and Palmerston North.

The second race of The season of the Auckland Racing Pigeon Club was flown off on Saturday last. October 17, from Frankton Junction, an airline distance of 7'2 miles. Eight lofts sent 43 birds. The winner were: 1, Mr. G. foavis’ A.R.P.C. 509, velocity 561 yards per minute; 2, Messrs. Wilson Eros.’ A.R.P.C. 628. velocity 559 yards per minute; 3, Mr. L. Vickers J.F.C. 39, velocity 553 \ards per minute. Owing to the heavy rains the birds had a very ahr task to perform. several birds failing to arrive home before dark.

The excursion trip of the Northern Company's now steamer Rarawa to Onehunga via northern ports proved highly successful, and was thoroughly enjoyed by the large number of people who availed themselves of the opportunity. The weather on the East ( oast was anything but pleasant, but more favourable conditions prevailed after rounding Cape Maria Van Diemen, and the passengers were able to move about on shore with ffreater freedom, the sights round the historical Hokianga waterway proving particularly interesting. The Rarawa arrived at Onehunga on October ]3. and left on Sunday afternoon on her maiden voyage for New Plymouth.

A recent fashionable wedding at Wellington was the innocent cause of a saddening display of curiosity. As soon as the doors of the church were thrown open crowds of women poured in, defying all attempts by the church, authorities to restrain them. Some of the seats are stated to have been smashed in the struggle for positions. Outside the church the crowd stretched for some distance up and down the street, and those near the door wrestled with one another for places on the church steps and along the iron railing which surrounds the building. One solitary policeman heroically attempted to battle with the crowd, but with what kind of success may be imagined. The result was that when the bride left her home, which is just across the street from the church, she and her

father were unable to reach the entrance, and eventually had to be admitted by a rouudabout way. Very few of the guest* ever reached the interior of the church. The rest sat in their cabs outside. The crush, when the bride left the chureh, wm intense, and her veil was torn in the struggle to reach the cab. For the rest of the afternoon crowds anxious to catch sight of the bride hung round the gate of her father’s residence, where the guests were being entertained in a large marquee erected on the lawn. The bride and groom eventually escaped for their honeymoon. The bride was accounted one of the belles of Wellington; hence the flutter.