One of the most notable wedding ceremonies celebrated in Hankow for some years past was solemnized in St. Joseph's Cathedral yesterday, (says the Central China Port" of May 11) when, following upon the civil formalities performed at the British Consulate-General by Mr. H. Goffe, om.a., Mr. Thomas James Fisher, the popular taipan of the local offices of Messrs. Butterfield & Swire, was married to Miss Margaret Mary McDonald, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John McDonald of Cape Town and niece to Mrs. H. G. ©. Bailey.
The service in the. Cathedral, which had been very charmingly decorated for the occasion with white flowers, was conducted by the Rev. Fathers Connaugton and Gilgan. Notwithstanding the very considerable size of the building it was almost filled by the very large attendance of members of the community of all nations, quite a large number of Chinese also being' present.
Punctually on the stroke of three, the bride appeared on the aém. of her uncle, Mr. Bailey, and walked slowly down the aisle. Miss Mc-Donald looked charming in a gown of ivory georgette, made very simply with pleated panels and wide sleeves richly embroidered with pearls and silver thread and completed with a pear! girdle. Her veil, which was very long and served as a train, was held to her head with a silver bandeau and supported by her attendants, Miss Christine Keed and Master John Fowler, both of whom were charmingly attired in yellow.
The bridegroom was ably supported by Mr. W, 8. Dupree as best man.
There was a very pretty setting at the door of the Cathedral when the happy couple had rose leaves sprinkled' on their path by Miss Diana Charleton, Miss Jenifer Skinner and Miss Betty Beddow, who, attired in white, acted as flower girls. The bridal party and guests then adjourned to the Consulate grounds, where by the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Goffe a reception took place, the our taking the couple being daintily decorated with white streamers and flowers and attached to the back with, unknown to them, the placard "spliced," a riding boot and a slipper. The usual toasts were honoured with enthusiasm and felicitations and congratulatory speeches were made and acknowledged.
The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of numerous and very beautiful presents which were on view. These included from the bride to the bridegroom a set of silver hairbrushes and from the bridegroom to the bride a diamond and platinum bar brooch An eight-storey building is to be erected for the P. & O.'S. N. Ca. at Hongkong, the estimated cost being seven lakhs.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.