LADY CORRESPONDENTS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9124, 7 June 1895, Page 2

LADY CORRESPONDENTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Deap. Jo,—We are all delighted with the prospect of shortly having the pleasure of hearing tbe Rev. Mr Haweis, who, as you probably know, is at present paying a visit to Australia, in consequence of his health demanding a rest from the perpetual strain of his work forced upon him at Home in England, from whence we have b"ard much of his eloquence as lecturer and preacher. Indred, he must in the capacity of both be exceptionally talented, for no one has as yet (so we hear) failed to appreciate him, and we should decidedly think ourselves lucky in being given the opportunity to be numbered amongst the thousands upon thousands who form his audience. For those who are fond of literary pursuits of a high order, and have not read it, let mc recommend his book {one of many workß) '* Music and Morals." Mrs Haweis, a charming woman, ha* also written many excellent boot-sou higher education. L -st Wednesday a small but delightful dance was given by Mrs Cowlishawather re-L'<"v.e. Avonside. Oh 1 What charms

a private house, beautifully furrmhod, j lends to a dai c•. It Is quite a- different thing to a dance given in rooms hired for the occasion. About sixty guests were invited to enjoy the dancing, which was held in one of the large draw-ing-rooms. Music was provided by Fleming, and with a recherche supper every one says a more delightful dance has seldom been eDJoyed in Christchurch. The guests were graciously received by Mr and Mrs Cowlishaw, the latter wearing a becoming and handsome dress of black brocaded silk, profusely trimmed with lace and jet, diamond ornaments. Misg Cowlishaw wore a very pretty white satin, the bodice finished with lace and chiffon, pearl ornaments ; Miss Grace Cowli«haw looked well in heliotrope silk, relieved with black moire, made with large puffy -leeves, finished with black lace: Mrs J. Hall wore a becoming peach blossom pink bengaline silk, the bodice prettily arranged with folds of the silk, and fine cream lace falling from the sleeves; Misses Julius, pretty white dresses of Duchess satin and chiffon ; Miss Cunningham, dove colo ired silk streamers and bodice, trimmed with a pretty shade of pink; Miss WynnWilliams. cream satin daintily arranged aud relieved with a peculiar shade of green, the trimming of the bodice finished with crystal ornaments; Guy, a bizarre costume of Avhite, made with full ruffles rising from the shoulders ; Miss E. Helmore, a becomiag bbek gown trimmed with chiffon; Miss Mary Tabart, white figured frock and orange gauze; Miss Beswlck, white satin trimmed with sparkling beads; Miss Izird, white muslin; Miss Lizzie Murray-Aynsley, cream frock with sleeves and trimming of sea green silk, bands of lace and silk trimming the bodice diagonally; Mrs R. Macdonaid, a becoming floral silk in blue and pale pink, peatl ornaments. Mioses Turnbull, Gray, Turrell, Reeves, Hut ton, Nedwill, and Messrs Perry, Orb.ll, B»s----wlck, Clark, Lane (2), M'D>nald (2), Garrlck, Wynn-Williams, Palmer, Turnbull, Gane, &c, were also present.

Afternoon Kettledrums are the popular form of small eutertainrrent—a pleasant form, too, these wintry days. Their insti tution saves one from turning out at night and delivers one from a stiff luncheon and the painful possibility by promiscuous arrangement of sitting next your "dearest enemy." This does sometimes happens you know, even in our little society circle, and it is not pleasant ; now afternoon teas quite banish any such chance.

A pleasant aftemo >n party was given last Thursday by Miss Meeson at Feudalton, which was much enjoyed by the guests, though for reasons unknown many one expected to meet did not appear.

Living out of town is certainly a drawback to entertaining, especially when the omnibus is the local vehicle of conveyance. Imagine, my friend, the quandary one is placed in if you miss the 'bus out at four o'clock and there is no other till 5.30 p.m., the time to go home.

En passant, talking of 'buses reminds mc of an amusing and perfectly true experience the other day, showing what the servant trouble is becoming, when a lady friend of mine was engaging a cook (tbe bane of one's domestic life). The lady, after asking many questions regarding qualifications, and in most cases meeting with satisfac ion, had the tables suddenly turned upon her by Sarah Ann, and had to submit to be ca'echised, which, however, though astonishing, was brief, for on answering that the co king range was not of the latest design, and no 'bus passed of an evening nor on Sundays, all negotiations terminated. Tableau— mistress and maid 1 The former crushed and listless, the latter self-contained and exulting.

Another kettledrum was given last Saturday by Mis 3N. Reeves to bid farewell to her girl friends prior to her departure for Melbourne, where she visits her sister, Mrs Kelsey. Amongst the guests were Mrs H. Murray-Aynsl.y, Mrs Burns, Mrs W. P. Reeves, Mis A. Rf-eves, Mrs O/le, Misses Cowlishaw, Nedwill, Murray-Aynsley. Baldwin, B..rtleman (Dunedin), Turrell, Wynn-Williams, &c. Cards are issued for a da ice next week, to be given by Mrs Malet, at Merivale, so I hope to tell you of it in my next. Toe students of the University had a merry day last i hursday, the occasion being Diploma Day, which is the signal for much outburst of revelry. The Dialeaic Ball was filled with students, relations, and friends, who thoroughly enjoyed the proceedings, chiefly composed of noise and songs, constructed with hits on the profeasors' peculiarities and rules displeasing and inconvenient to the pleasure of the student. In the evening a dance took place in the same hall, which made an appropriate wind up to the day. Amongst many were Professor and Mrs Caok, Professor Clarke, Dr. and Mrs Dendy, Misses Davie, Misses Gib3on, Miss Crosby. Miss Meesou, Miss Gresson, Misses Foster, Messrs Orb3ll, Knight, Marshal, &:_., &c. Celia.