CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 31, 2 August 1890, Page 11

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, July 24. The ‘ At Home ’ at Riverton, given by Messrs Edwards and Bennett, was marred, very much marred, by 7 the illness and absence of Mr Edwards, though the dance itself and all the arrangements were perfect, excellent music by Fleming’s band, which with a good floor and your heart’s desire for a partner, will make you forget trouble if anything will. One cannot help feeling a little sad to be enjoying yourself at your host’s expense and he be not there and stricken with some illness you know not what. However, I am happy to say he is better now, though he has been very ill with some kind of fever. He is at the Rhodes’ ('onvalescent Home, where Mrs Macpherson has made such a name for herself by her kindness and general good management. The dance was a really enjoyable one ; the rooms were made most artistic and pretty. Mrs Kimbell and Mrs Greenwood acted as chaperones, and among those present were Miss Reeves, Tabart, Miss Dymock (from Dunedin), Miss Robinson, Miss Kimbell, ami the Misses Greenwood. Another delightful dance was one given by Mrs Greenstreet in the Montreal-street Hal), in honour of her nephew, Captain Greenstreet, and the officers of the Rimutaka. The captain is known to be passionately fond of the terpsichorean art, and numerous small caipet dances have been got up by his friends of an evening. This was a large party, and every one enjoyed it. I saw the Misses Harman, Miss Kimbell, and Miss Gordon there. For a wonder there were plenty of gentlemen. Really it must have been sheer perversity on their part, perhaps with a spice of jealousy thrown in. Everyone knows how the ladies love the sailors, so our men thought they would turn up, but it gave a kind of ‘ go’ to the thing, and everything went off splendidly. I actually heard that at a dance at Riccarton a few nights ago there were too many gentlemen, so I hope things have changed, and that ‘ wallflowers ’ are going out. They have, I am sorry to confess, been the fashion here lately. Mrs G. Roberts is giving a dance in the Montreal-Street Hall. 1 know that will be a pleasant partj. Then cards are out for Mrs E. C. J. Stevens’ fancy dress ball in the Grand National week, and there is great excitement oyer the costumes, of course. I wish you could suggest something quite new. So far I have decided on going as ‘ flame ’ or ‘ tire.’ I don’t know exactly what to call it, but the skirt is black velvet with tongues of red cut something the shape of a flame, with puffings above of grey tulle for smoke. This costume would, at any rate, suggest warmth, and it is cold enough here for anything ; but to morrow I may change my mind, as I have quite determined to have something new or not go at all. Mrs I. Gibbs, Merivale, had avery nice afternoon. Among the guests were Mrs C. Cuff, the Misses Cuff, Miss Cross (from Newcastle, N.S.W.), Miss Kiver and her sister, Mrs Deacon, Mrs Tyree, and several others. Music was the chief item, and tea, of course. Have you got ‘ Listening, ’ by Packer? It is so pretty ; and ‘ The Soldier’s Dream.’ I also heard a good song for a bass the other day, ‘ The Helmsman,’ by Roeckel. I was sorry to learn the Musical Society was in some financial trouble owing to Mr Donnelly’s hurried departure some months ago, and Mr F. M. Wallace has very generously offered a complimentary benefit to them, and is getting up a concert, which is sure to be thoroughly enjoyable as well as high-class. I know we are to hear that lovely quintette again, ‘ The Grout.’ Everyone is truly sorry for Mr ami Mrs Acton Adams, they having lost their eldest daughter, Pearl, very unexpectedly. She had been ill, but was better and away up at Woodend. Her death was a great shock. The Rev. W. A. Pascoe’s many friends will also greatly sympathise with him in his great bereavement. Mrs Pascoe died yesterday at the Parsonage, Avonside. She has been a great sufferer for many years, poor thing, off and on, ami has been almost like a resurrection to her fiiends many times. She was of such a wonderfully cheerful nature, and had so much spirit that one was apt to be deceived. There are three sons to mourn her early death. The annual football match between the Dunedin High School ami Christ's College came off on the College grounds on an awfully wet afternoon, but in spite of it all a good many onlookers turned up. There is usually a cowl crowd at this match, and a lot of interest taken. It is bad enough to stand in wet grass, but when it is mud ami the rain pour-

ing down on top of you, my pride in ‘ out ls»ys took flight, and even Mrs Worthy's noted hospitality failed to take me from ‘my ain fireside.’ In the evening the ls»ys played ‘ Ici on Parle Francais,’ and very creditably they performed it. On Saturday evening the St. Maur Company gave Mr St. Maur a benefit, which was well patronised, but I heard a good deal of disappointment expressed over the bill of fare. ‘ The Arabian Nights’ was the piece chosen, and I do not think very much of it myself. Are you not very much surprised at Christie Murray turning actor? It seems like coming down off a pedestal to me, though 1 by no means depreciate acting, and think as a profession it is quite as honourable as anything else. The hunt on Saturday was to have been held on Mr (l. King’s property, New Brighton, but it was too wet, so the company, after partaking of Mr King’s hospitality, adjourned to Mr Free’s paddocks and had some good runs. Miss Delamain and Miss Kimbell were out in spite of the weather. The latest engagement is Miss Walton to Mr CockburnHood, and I understand will not be a long one. He is a resident of the North Islam!. Another wedding will take place very shortly—Dr. Jennings and Miss Ho<l<ie. Mr J. R. Campbell, of Riccarton, who was thrown from his buggy and broke his leg so badly, is, I hear, getting on now. At first the doctors scarcely hoped to save the limb.

Dolly Vale.