MARRIAGE AT ASHBURTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIV, Issue 24, 9 October 1896, Page 15

MARRIAGE AT ASHBURTON.

(From an occasional correspondent.) Ox Wednesday last, at H» o'clock, crowds might have been seen nocking towards the church from all parts of the parish to witnes the union, in the holy bonds of matrimony, of Mr. Thomas Daly and Mi-s Norah Dunne. The ceremony was performed by the Very Rev. Canon O'Donnell. The bridesmaids were Misses Norah Spring and Mi-s Norah Daly, nieces of the bride, whilst Mr. Cornelius O'iSullivan. an old -choolmate of Mr. Daly's, was best man. I will not attempt to de-cribj the finery, jewellery, etc.. worn by the fair ones— l eouldn t if I tried— but three bstter looking Norahs could only be found amongst their far-famed and fair-faced relatives. After the ceremony a proces-ion. consi-ting of fifteen vehicles heavily laden and -ome horsemen, started for Lauriston, twelve mile- distant, the home of Mr Jeremiah Daly, where another crowd awaited the happy couple to shower their congratulations upon them. The lunch was pre-ided over by our esteemed pastor, who proposed the toast of the happy couple. He said that he had not the pleasure of knowing Mr. Thomas Daly or his bride so long as he had known their brother and sister, under whose hospitable roof they were as-embled and whom he regarded as amongst the foremost of his flock : but from what he saw and knew of them their conduct was equally exemplary and he hoped their future would be as prosperous and creditable. This was re-ponded to, shyly but appropriately, by the happy bridegroom. I happen to know of one or two others who were prepared to bear testimony to the sterling qualities of the happy couple, but were debarred by Father O'Donnell reminding us of the •• relays." which, of course, was more to the point— at least for those who had not yet dined — than speechmaking. The afternoon was spent in various ways according 1 to the varying tastes and inclinations of the guests. " Birds of a feather flocked together." the girls and boys strolling into the paddock and through the plantation- ; -teady old farmers looking at Jerry's fine hor-es. while Father O Donnell pulled the points of the hunter to pieces or threw the weight of his eloquence with the weak side in our J. G-. Ward-r tfw-Bank of New Zealand discussion ; while the little ones and their mothers, with one or two lively old chaps, indulged in irames round the house. Thus the afternoon whiled away, when our loved priest wished us adieu, despite our entreaties that his reverence might stay a while of the night with us. " For," says he. with a genial smile and lively twinkle | in his eye, " indeed, you will get on very well without me." After supper, which was in the large dining-room, the tables were removed to one end and Mr James Wilson fixed his chair on top discoursing to us music from his violin, which even Whelan of Kerry couldn't outdo in his best days. And wasn't it a treat to see Mick O'Loughlin dancing ''Slaehan Buidhe," "The Dublin Porterhouse," or the ■• Rocky road to Dublin," whilst Pat Hanrahan, Denis MoKemlry, Tun Hurley, Ned MeSweeney, Hugh, Kennedy, ()'(.; orman, .1 i< k Dunn, S ,ndy Spring, Dan Brick, Pat Clifford, Jack, Jerry and Cornelius OKilhvan would mo c than pass in the country dance. The h<>p-tim(\ I>-S. the 4 and S hand reel, and, of course. bean n i n'or— Fhoit don (The high cowled cap) were not forgotten. No dance in my opinion is perfect without it. You see what the ladies can do m the \v;iy of " starching,'" and they do full justice to the head-gear worn by our fair countrywomen from 17(ii) to IS 10. and worn indeed by some of the loved ones at Home at the present time. Why Mrs. O'Loughlin. Mrs. Clifford, Mrs. Hurley, in fact, all our women were carried back to their innocent d.iys in the old land when they danced on the cross at Kilsarcan, Luharan. and other cross-roads. From the dance-room stroll into the kitchen, where a dozen men are playing the national game and where genial Willie Dunn has everyone in roars with his wit. Tue parlo'ir, which is our retreat after the stepdancing, reminds one of the description given of the '•Oeolsit," when we listen to the accomplished .Mrs Denis McX -miry. Mi^s L<sie Devane, ;.nd Mi— Trephena Bailor staging '■ Eiblm Al.inn ih, ' '• Eiblin () Connor." •• Killarney." and other national son^s. with Mr. Walker, the local suhool-teaeher pi iymg the aecomp iniments on the piano. No less enjoyable is it to h-ten to Mrs. Hanrahan describing the " -even castles." the ancient monasteries and fine cathedrals, or to Mrs. Brick, who adore- the matchless Tipperary, or to Mrs. Devane who cherishes fond recollections of the West Coast and its generous miners, yet, like Mrs. Brick, loves the Kerrymen. Others wno are not of, but are with us, also helped to make the time fly and were hearty particip itors in our mirth Oh, yes, it was a truly Irish night and Dan Brick's rendering of " Beau Dubh An Ghleama " (The dark maiden of the valley) was warmly appreciated by all. The "wag " who could venture to act the '• sta^e Irishman " in such company, and troll forth for instance '■ The McSorley's Twins," or any other snoh ridiculous ditty would not. I should think, feel by any means at home. No, the stage Irishman is not tolerated in the Ashburton district, thanks to the Tvnu:r and thanks to Father O'Donnell. who in iS'.)4 caused the curtain to be dropped between the perlormers of the •• Judge's substitute," and the immens auditory. It is needless to add tli.it the three sisters with their stall ot as-istants were indefatigable in their attention to all. And it was wonderful how Jerry, whose heart is, in full keeping with his size— Mi stone weight — kept busy on his feet the nineteen hours and allowed no one to leave the yard without a final glass from his genial hind. At last 7.15 am. arrived when sterling Thomas and his beautiful Norah were whirled off to meet the North train amidst a volley of slippjrs and a chorus of hearty benedictions from all.

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