CHRISTMAS NOVELTIES AT THE D.I.C.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8044, 12 December 1891, Page 3

CHRISTMAS NOVELTIES AT THE D.I.C.

One of the most noticeable —as it is one of the most prominent —features in connection with the Christmas season is the grand collection of artistic end beautiful articles gathered together in the spacious premises of the I).I.O. Christmas in Christchurch would lose one of its principal charms were the crowded levees which the manager holda during the Christmas week to be done away with. There one meets aU the world and pis wife intent npon seeing the many novelties which have been specially imported from every part of the world for the festive occasion. ' .

As it is almost impossible from the great crowd of visitors which passes through the establishment to get a good look at the many articles which are displayed in euch bewildering profusion, a brief reference to some of the most striking, by way of guiding the visitor what to look for, will not be out of place. Before looking at tho charming and artistic collection of fancy goods which Mr Montague has collected from all the cities of Europe, let us take a stroll through the cloak and mantle department. TheD.I.C. it may be noted is a wonderfully self-reliant institution, and makes within itself whatever can be so done. Here are to be seen some charming opera cloaks, trimmed and stylishly made, quite to anything turned out in England ,or elsewhere, so far as tastie and woi&manship goes. .Princess capes, three-quarber capea, and long lace cloaks, with the now fashionable sash ribbons, are to be seen in «fll colours and materials. Two capes are specially noticeable for their beauty > one of these is the Dorothy and the other the Colleen Bawn, and both are charmingly pretty, in this department, too, are to be found the new dust and showerproof eloake, light as feathers, end prettily made, but still quite able either to keep out the dust of the nor'-westers or the rain of the sou- ,- westers. In a climate like this, where we get so many changes in a short time, these cloaks are invaluable. Some pretty Dueaess of Fife travelling cloaks, and some very handsome "en tout cas," are also to be aeeti in this department. Naturally, in what is called the eternal fitness of things, the department for millinery, hats and bonnets adjoins the one about which we have just been speaking. Here are to be seen the very latest novelties from Home in the shape of the most ing designs of hats trimmed with ejpgsuijte taste. Of these it is only possible to eelee£ a few for brief mention, but the department itself, with its tastefully displayed collection of all the newest shapes in hats, &c, will well repay ' half an hour's visit. Amongst the hats which deserve ' notice is the very latest, called the Picture Hat. Why the name was selected it is hard to say, except that ie might be because anyone wearing it will loojc "ac pretty as a picture. It is charmingly trimmed with buttercup-coloured chiffon and ostrich tips, and should be " the" hat of the season. Another pretty hat is called •* The Cornflower." This is entirely composed of blue cornflowers, which nave a pretty effect on the black foundation of tfao hat. One trimmed with a bunch of hyacinths, with vieux rose ribbon streamers, is also wonderfully pretty, the effect being heightened by the artistic introduction at, the back of a knot of green, ribbons, which forms a very effective contrast. Then there is a pretty waved shaped hat in Leghorn, called the Lady Jersey, trimmed with white velvet and brilliant ornamente, making a most effective finish, The now fashionable Tom Tags and San.

flowers, which look ao coquettish for yoiuijr Erie, are to be found here in all sizes, and wn tennis and garden party hats are also in great profusion. One of the prettiest displays ia that of charming little bonnets in &U colours and trimmings, soma of them merely a little patch of jet and feathers, but put together with such an artistic completeness us to make one worrier how it ia achieved. In one of the glass cases which ornament the department is a pretty display of children's hats of all kinds, and in another a wonderful assortment of caps for evening wear. Wlun it is stated that the reference here made only touches the fringe, as it were, of the wonderful display made in the department, ladies in search of a charming hat for the garden parties now in season, or the more proeaic everyday wear will find in this everything of the latest possible style. Now comes the central department at this. festive season, the one around which the interest not only of the children but those of larger growth clusters. This is a period. of the year when the crust of selfishness is broken up, under the genial influences of Christmas, in order to give the people of Christchurch an opportunity of acquiring the latest and best productions of the Home country, the D.I.C. despatched Mr Montague, the head of the fancy department, on a trip through the European cities, in order to secure everything that was worth bringing to thia far off land. The results of this mission are seen in the fancy department through which we now stroll. Here are plaquea from Germany illustrative of quaint scenes in student and burgher life, magnificent reproductions in opaline photographs of the famous pictures of the world, added to landscapes and reproductions of famous show places. Then there is displayed the delicate lace workmanship which is a puzzle even to the most acute as to how the dainty folds of an apron or the details of a knot ma cravat are accomplished. Thie is without exception one of the most charming of the many novelties which Mr Montague has brought back with him. The toys and dolls are almost innumerable. In the former there are wonderful mechanical toys which, when wound up perform all kinds of antics. There is a cheerful crocodile, who winds his sinuous way towards an unwary visitor, snapping his jaws viciously the while. Then, there is a clever lady circus rider who lights on the back of the horse after jumping through a hoop with all the coolness and dexterity of a high-class artiste. Then we have large railway trains for boys who have developed a taste for mechanics. Besides this, there are to be seen some beautiful horses and donkeys, covered with the real skins of the animals, and looking very life like, and arranged so that they can be made to draw a cart capable of carrying a couple of little brothers and sisters, or rock in the orthodox fashion. They look very real, and the little lad who possesses them will feel all the pride of the possession of a real horse without some of the disadvantages. The land of toys presided over by Mr Montague and his assistants is far too vast to come within the scope of an article, but it may be given in terms of strong recommendation to those who intend filling the role of Santa Claus to pay it a visit, hi the matter of dolls there is a wonderful assortment. They are to be seen from the plebeian but lasting rag doll np to the dainty jointed wax doll, which in all buo life simulates the real baby so nearly. There are bright little ladies dressed a la Duchess of Devonshire—in the height of the present, fashion, and in the unbecoming uniform of the Salvation Army. One of the most peculiar looking is a doll widow, and one wonders when looking at the extent of the crape weepers, &c, whether it is for one of those magnificent looking military dolls or only au ordinary common doll citizen that this display of woe is made. These are all displayed on the upper floor, which Christmas visitors to the D.I.C. know so well. But as it has been found that the rush is so great on the Oβ* floor, the manager has arranged for a charmingly airy and cool extension of the department on tne lower floor. This is situate in a portion of the furniture department, and will no doubt, from the grand display made, attract a very* large number of visitors. Mr Montague nas shown great taste in the, arrangement of the numerous articles which he has congregated together. There are some charming statuettes of the latest German production, wonderfully life-like and, grand , ornaments. Then there are plaques of all kinds. Basket ware ia a strong feature of the display made here. There are afternoon tea tables, chairs, ladies' work baskets fitted, lunch baskets, and in fact a wonderful assortment of every conceivable shape and size in basket ware. Some beautiful photo, frames, from the midget np to the Imperial size, are displayed. These are of porcelain, with floral designs, and there are also to be seen pretty pierced silver frames, the silver being nearly as fine as. lace. Whilst on this subject it may be noted that upsteirs is displayed a wonderfully pretty lot of articles mounted in the new silverine. These include hair and clothes brushes, combs, lamps, cigarette cases, purses of all shapes (some of them very pretty), match boxes, &c, &c. Another novelty close by is an assortment of scent caskets in Bohemian glass. These are in various shapes, one being in that of a hansom cab. As the D.I.C will be open on this and on the following Saturday in the evening no doubt many will take the opportunity of paying a visit to see the thousand and one novelties, of which only a tithe have beea spoken of above.