Grant-Ussher Family

An interesting marriage was solmenised in St. Andrew’s Church on Wednesday last, when two well-known residents of the district were joined together in Holy Matrimony. The contracting parties were Miss Mary Ann Grant-Ussher, only daughter of Mr William Neville Grant-Ussher, Merrivale Road, and late of Youghal, Ireland, and the late Mrs Grant-Ussher, and Mr George Crawford, and the officiant at the ceremony was the Vicar (Rev. G. A. Dawson). The church was very effectively decorated, and reflected great credit on Mrs Rountree, who made herself responsible for this. Two floral arches and a bowl were most artistically arranged in purple (the litargical colour for the season) and white for the occasion, and the white bell decorated with a wreath of flowers completed a most pleasing effect. Miss Peggy Stewart presided at the organ, playing Keble’s hymn to Gauntlett’s well-known tune, L.Alphege, and one of Schubert’s Impromptus.
The bride wore a beautiful white figured silk morocain with a flowing veil and coronet of orange blossoms, and carried a sheaf of lilies. The bridesmaid, Miss Chapman, cousin of the bride, wore a pretty white crepe de chine dress with black hat to match, and carried a bouquet of asters. Mr Hugh Crawford assisted the bridegroom, his brother.
The bride entered the Church on the arm of her father, who gave her away, and the party were grouped at chancel step. The bridal party and guests assembled in a barn at the home of the bride, which was magnificently adorned with shrubs and flowers. The table was laden with good things, and, although the proceedings were necessarily of a quiet nature, the breakfast was a happy feature of the event. The Vicar occupied the chair, and in proposing the health of the bride and bridegroom he mentioned how very much pleasure and indeed help he had derived from his acquaintance with the Ussher family. He emphasised the serious nature of the event which they had seen performed, an aspect which was sadly overlooked in an age when divorce was all too prevalent. There would have to be mutual understanding, give and take, if there was to be mutual happiness, which fact he illustrated by telling a story of a rather humorous incident which occured a few years ago. All present desired to express their good wishes for the future happiness and health of the newly-married couple. The usual other toasts were honoured, and the National Anthem sung at the close of the proceedings. The happy couple motored to Invercargill en route on their honeymoon trip. They were the recipients of many lovely, useful, and costly gifts, which showed the esteem in which both were held. The bride travelled in a coat frock of dark blue gabardine with blue and grey hat to match. Congratulatory telegrams were read from many friends, including Mr Crawford’s brothers: Robert, captain R.M.M.S. “Aorangi”; William, station holder, Cave; Oswald, factory manager, Eltham; and James, Government grader, at Patea. Among the guests were: Mesdames Rooney, McKay Johnston, and Blair, the Misses Blair, Crawford, Johnston, Wilson, and Twemlow, Messrs Blair (uncle of the bride), McKay, Wilson, and George and William Grant-Ussher.

The Grant-Ussher Family

Frederick Arthur Grant-Ussher

George Blair Grant-Ussher

Mary Ann (Grant-Ussher) Crawford

William Neville Grant-Ussher