CHRTSTCHURCH, February 5.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 61

CHRTSTCHURCH, February 5.

Tiie chief topic in Christchuroh during the past fortnight has been "vaccination." The town has been divided into two sets of people, those with whom the vaccine has "taken," and those with whom it has not. Th© people belonging to the former class ha\e plenty to toll one about their unpleasant experiences, while those of the latter wear a comfortable smile when the state of their arms is sympathetically inquired about. As the scaro is over, they feel very superior to those unfortunates who had to buffer from swollen aims and feverishness ; but should another arise, no doubt it would b© the successfully vaccinated ones who would wear the pleasant smile, while th© unsuccessful operations would have to b© performed again. There has been rather a dearth of amusement in the town lately, but wo arc expecting to wake up again soon and be as energetic as ever.

Parish fetes seem to be the order of the day at present, and, indeed, it is no wonder that, considering the perfect weather we are having, the churches should make their entertainments outdoor ones. It is so much more pleasant to go to a bazaar which is under the guise of a garden party. Children especially revel in (the kind of treats provided, such as cooking competitions, shooting galleries, Otange and lemon trees, and variety entertainments oi all kinds. Many generous peoplo lend their lovely gardens, as Mrs D. H. Brown did a* Fendalton last Saturday. The parish of St. John's, Latimer Square, however, was fortunate in the fact that, though in the heart of th© town, one might say, the church and vicarage grounds were able to provide their own entertainment last Thursday. From 2 p.m. until 9 the grounds- round the pretty little ivy-covered church and tho vioarage were gay with coloured bunting and awnings, decorated trees and stalls. The Wools ton band played exceedingly well, as it did again on Saturday, and in the internals Mr W, H. Hargroavjes'e fine

gramophone gavo selection-. Mr and Mrs Woodthorpe helped energetically to make all go off well, and amon^t those present I noticed t!ip. new vicar of St. Luke's, Mr Sadgwick, whose entry into his parish was somewhat marred by the suspeoted case of smallpox in his household. We (were all very much pleased when we heard that his maid had not got tho malody after I , all. It pecmed as if Chiistchurch would have been so inhospitable as, to want to send the new vicar and his family to Bottle Lake almost immediately after their armal here. But now we trouble no more ybout smallpox, and almost wonder why we were in such a huny to be vsccinated. A good many of us rejoice that tho evening drosses for the new season are to have long sleeves, for ala*. ! some of us have three or four ugly scars to cover. Ono lady plaintively remarked to mo the other day, "I wonder why the doctors want to make marks on the prettiest part of one's arm." Another one said sho would hate to bo called a "coatact." "It seems almost as dreadful a word as convict," she declared. But no disease ought to be able to live through tho glorious summer we are having. Day after day sunshino and bright skies and a cool wind have been our portion, and there has beon no sign of the one drawback to comfort in Canterbury — the nor'-wester. Verily, those who braved all scares and terrors to come here and see Christchurch have been rewarded, for the tourists are loud in their praises of |the place and the- climate A number of the members of tho Science Congress have _pa>ssed through on their way from Duneclin, and they (expressed^ great satisfaction at the hospitality and kindness they received in Dunedin, and at the way in which everything was done for their comfort while they stayed in your city. Some of them particularly mentioned tba kindness of the secretary, Mr G. M. Thomson, who put himself to the trouble of going personally to find them rooms, wh^n all tho known hotels and boarding- houses were full. It seems as though the visit of the Australians to the meeting of the A.A.A.S. in Dunedin is going to open their eyes more completely than e>ver to the advantages New Zealand offers as a summer retreat from the heat of Australia.

INYERCARGILL, Monday. On Tuesday last Mrs Harvey gave a delightful musical evening and dance at her residence, Spey street. After the musical items had been gone through in the drawing room, the ballroom was scon filled with dancers b&nt on enjoying the capital floor. Among those who contributed songs were Miss Connie M'Loskey, who sang most charmingly : Mr Black, Mr Tapley, and MiBroad. The supper ta,ble looked very dainty, arranged with vases of pink and white sweet p&as, standing on flowerwreathed pale green nlk. Besides Mr and Mrs Harvey and Miss Harvey there were present Mr and Mrs Rattrry, Mr and Mrs W. Saunders, Mrs Handyside, th© Misses Rowley, Mr end Mrs Strettell, Mrs Cook, Miss Moffett, th© Messrs Moffott, Miss Nora Thomson, the Misses Corbett, Mr Tapley, Miss Ayton. Mr T. Ellis, Miss Wyinks, Miss Robinson, Mr H. Robinson, Mr Herbert. Macdonald, Miss L Macdonald, Miss Traill, Miss Sharp, Mr H. Sharp, Miss Wade, Miss Soence, Mr Broad, Mr Bl«ck, jMiss Adams, Mr Campbell, Mr Anderson, Mr T Watson, Mr Frasor, Mr Waymouth, Mr A. Saundere, etc.

The success of a regatta necessarily dep.ind.« largely on the weather, and certainly we were fortunate in having iso good an afternoon as Wednesday test for our annual regatta, as the morning was not at all promising. There was just enough wind for the Failing events, and not too much for tho comfort of the pulling boats or th© interested crowds who thronged the whirl. Unfortunately, through seemingly unavoidable circumstances, the programme "dragged" decidedly, a state of affairs which mars exhibitions of sport of all kinds. Crowds left after the inteiprovincial race, thus missing some really good events. Some of those present were Miss Adams (Blenheim), Mns Bush, Mrs Basstian, Mrs Christophers, Mrs Cantrell, Miss Clapcott, Mrs Hunt, Mrs Hammond, Airs Morrison, the Misses Macgoun, Mrs Stocker, the Misses Thomson, Miss Wyinks, etc.

On Friday evening Mrs Tucker gave a very enjoyable little danca for children at her residence, Yarrow street. The entertainment was given for Miss D. Wyinks, who is leaving for Dunedin shortly. A sprinkling of "grown-ups" was invited to help to give the juveniles a good time, and these seemingly enjoyed themselves quite as much as the younger guests. Owing to the smallpox regulations Mr and Mrs P. L. Wright did not go to Melbourne for their wedding trip. Instead, they left last Monday for Dunedin, en route for Auckland and Wanganui.

The marriage of Miss Russell and Mr F. Chisholm is fixed to take plao© on the 23rd inst.

Miss Royse returned last week to Dunedin

The engagement of Miss Marjorie Rowley to Mr George Moffett was announced last week-

Mrs W. P. Reid, "Monte Christo," Oamaru, returned home on Monday, after paying a short \isit to her father, tho Hon Alfred Baldey, at "Woodside," .Ryal Bush.