Incidentally the enterprising drapers were obliged to put up their shutters and announce that there would be no further exhibition that afternoon. Even then, excited flappers and eager matrons hung wistfully around the place, praying for the removal of the implacable shutters.
The thing that had disorganised Pitt street was the wedding garments of Salote, Princess of Tonga. She is a true daughter of her father. King George Tabou, constitutional ruler of the Friendly Isles, is kingly in appearance.
The long line of chiefs who are his forebears gave him great dignity; Nature gave him of inches 76 or 77, and of avoirdupois something approaching 20 stone. King George, in the grass streets of Nukualofa, makes his lusty petticoated policemen look like children.
And since Salote, though little more than a school girl, has the truly regal build of her amiable father, her trousseau was worth seeing. Both the bride and the bridegroom - big Chief John Tungi, also a distinguished aristocrat of Tonga - were educated in New Zealand, and are accomplished young people, very popular in the beautiful island group that is their home. Tungi was present in London at the Coronation of George V.
Chinese social
A most enjoyable function took place in the Chinese Church, Carroll street, on Wednesday night, when their European friends entertained the local Chinese at a social gathering.
The church was neatly decorated with autumn flowers and foliage. There was a large number of Chinese present. After a sumptuous tea had been partaken of by the guests and their friends, the second part of the proceedings was opened with the hymn ''All hail the power of Jesus' Name'', in which all joined. Mr Joe Say then led in prayer.
The Rev. Professor Hewitson, who presided, delivered one of his well conceived and racy speeches, which was much enjoyed by European friends, and, being interpreted by the Rev. A. Don to the Chinese, proved delightful to them also. Mr Matthew Shum sang a solo in Chinese with good effect.
Perhaps the leading feature of the evening's programme was the unveiling of a well-executed enlarged portrait of the late Mrs Lo Keong. This was entrusted to Mr Don, who referred in fitting and touching terms to the long, loving, and faithful services rendered to the local church by Mrs Lo Keong.
After another hymn by the congregation the Rev. R. Fairmaid (Moderator of the Chinese Church Session) spoke of the excellent manner in which Miss Purvis had discharged the duties of organist at the church services. He presented her with a small memento.
The next item was a duet sung by Messrs Joe Say and Kong See, to the delight of all present. The National Anthem was sung by the whole congregation, and the Benediction pronounced by the Rev. R. Fairmaid and the Rev. A. Don, in English and Chinese respectively.
Humpback capture
Some excitement was created on the beach at New Plymouth, consequent on a humpback whale being in difficulties near the shore in the vicinity of the oil well. A worker at the well got a rope, waded into the sea, and lassoed the whale's tail. With assistance the mammal was brought ashore, and it was found to be 35ft long, with a girth of 9ft and a breadth of tail of 12ft.
- ODT, 11.5.1917.
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