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Note: NF4
Note: Transcribed from the Clutha Leader dated 28-05-1897: There was quite a stir in the township on Tuesday afternoon, the occasion being the marriage of Miss Albina (Cissy) Dunne to Mr N.J. Moloney, of the Railway Department, Oamaru. The ceremony was performed in the Roman Catholic Church by the Very Rev. Father O'Neil. The weather was beautifully fine and there was a very large gathering at the church, which was uncomfortably filled, standing room being hardly available; there must of been close on, if not quite, 250 people present. The parents of the bride are very old residents of Balclutha, and no doubt the majority of those present intended their presence at the marriage ceremony as a token of good will, and best wishes towards their daughter on her wedding day, known as she was from her childhood days to a large proportion of those present; although no doubt the opportunity of witnessing the marriage ceremony of the Roman Catholic Church was a matter of no small interest to many. The church was tastefully decorated with chrysanthemums and greenery. The bride was given away by her father. Her maids were her sisters, Miss Francie Dunne and Miss Tottie Dunne, and Miss Tessie O'Neil and Miss Maggie Moloney. The groom was attended by his brother, Mr M. Moloney, as groomsman. The marriage ceremony was concise, the formula itself being almost the same as the Presbyterian or Anglican, the ceremonial portion being indeed shorter than either of those of the churches just named. The young couple being declared man and wife, and blessed with holy water, the Rev. Father officiating administered some timely advice and exhortation for their future guidance in life. At the conclusion of the service Miss Nellie Thornhill who presided at the harmonium played Mendelssohn's Wedding March. On going out of the church on their return from the Vestry, the eagerness of some of the newly-married couple's wellwishers to convey their greetings in the time-honored custom of a shower of rice was temporarily damped by Father O'Neil asking then to kindly desist till they got outside; but it was only temporarily so, as the liberal showers afterwards clearly testified. The wedding breakfast, a tastefully laid sumptuous repast, was held in the large dining room of the Crown Hotel, at which about fifty persons, mostly relatives and personal friends of the respective families of the bride and bridegroom were present. The toast of health and happiness to the newly married couple was proposed by Mr John Findlay in felicitous terms and supported in eloquent phrases by Mr George Thompson. The Very Rev. Father O'Neil responded on behalf of the bridegroom in a breif but appropriate and humerous speech. The health of the bride's parents was proposed by Mr Thompson and Mr J.W. Wilson in complimentary terms and duly acknowledged by Mr Dunne on behalf of himself and Mrs Dunne. The newly married couple left for the north by the express, the large crowd that gathered at the station raising three cheers as the train moved off. In the evening a very enjoyable dance was given in honour of the event. The bride was attired in a brown cloth dress stylishly trimmed with cream passenmenterie, and violet velvet pretty picture hat trimmed with brown tipsand violets, and carried shower boquet of white chrysanthemums. The bridesmaids wore blue cloth dresses and black velvet hats. They were the recipients of gold bangles and brooches from the bridegroom. The bride's going away dress was a navy-blue serge costume with black velvet picture hat. Amongst the presents, which were numerous, was a handsome travelling bag, presented to the bridegroom by the railway staff at Oamaru, railway albulm, presented by their conferes at Clinton, and others. Amongst the bride's presents were: a very handsome mirror backed rimu sideboard, mirror-doored wardrobe, upholstered platform rocker, cut-glass cruet, electro egg-stand, salad bowl, oak biscuit barrels, electro butter-cooler, handsome fish-knife and fork, set carvers, one doz. dinner knoves, cheque, electro sugar basins and jelly dishes, shaded glass toilet set, large carved hanging mirror, Rochester lamp, hall clock, albums, photo frames, cheque, hand painted mirror on easel, dinner set, serviette rings, half dozen silver tea spoons, cruet (breakfast), umbrella sachet, silver salver, cushions, silver butter cooler, claret jug, half dozen tea spoons, epergne, set electro salt-sellars, gold cable breacelet, dressing case, bedroom setee, gold spoon brooch, half doz. table spoons, pair vases, half dozen afternoon tea spoons, sugar spoon, cheque, afternoon tea set, gold brooch, half dozen desert spoons, two travelling rugs, marcella quilt, d'oyleys, pillow-shams, vases, barometer, butter-cooler tray-cloths, pin cushions, vases, ladies companion, oak tray, set carvers, lamp, plush easy chair, toilet set, Gladstone bag, travelling rug with foot and book pocket, dessert knives, clock (presented by Catholic choir), table linen, pair Florentine vases, handsome overmantle, electro jelly dish, marble clock, two rosewood occasional chairs.
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