CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VI, Issue 37, 13 September 1890, Page 11

CHRISTCHURCH.

I )ear Bee, Septcmbei: 6. Early this month the Waikari residents had a very successful ball. It was held in their hall. I don't know if it is Town Hall, Oddfellows' Hall, ora woo) shed, but not the latter. I imagine, as it had windows, and these were very tastefully dinped with red and white curtains, and bunches of holly. The stage was used asasupper room, ami curtained oil* from the hall, and in front of this curtain was a stately cabbage tree, and a very pretty grouping of evergreens round it; all this ipiite transforming the bare room into a pretty ballroom. 'I he music was supplied by Mrs Edgar (piano) ami Master Binz (violin), w no played

with much spirit and kept capital time. Much of the sucres was due toMrand Mrs Dougla*, who were indefatigable in looking after everything and everybody. Mr Lance Law had charge of the supper, ami he took Mrs McGowan, of the Star ami darter Hotel, into his confidence, and wisely, as it turned out, left it to her, giving her carte hlftm'he ; the supper was excellent. Mis Douglas wore a very pretty pink silk dress ; Mrs Pemberton, white silk veiled with Chantilly lace; Mrs Fred Lance, Miss Dampier (’rossley, in white Liberty silk, also Miss Cowie ; the Misses Courage, in pink of a lovely shade; Miss Wilson, pink dress; Miss E. Sanderson, green frock ; Miss Mcßae, Miss Wood, ami a good many more were present, some w earing pretty black costumes. Miss Winifred F. Stratton’s 'mutiner nuixicalc was a pro nounced success. The Y.M.< ’.A. room was crowded, and all who listened to the varied styles and wonderful interpretation of the music of some of the most celebrated composers could not help feeling pleased we possessed such an artistic ami brilliant young pianiste. She also sang two songs, and was assisted in the vocal part by Miss A. S. Taylor, who was in good voice, and sang Gounod’s ‘Serenade,’ with violin obligato played by Mr Pendarvis Cliff, ami in a duet with Mr Weir, ‘ Love Divine,’from Dr. Stainer’s ‘ Daughter of J aims.’ Mrs Lane was very successful in her French song, ‘ Rappelle Toithey suit her style so exactly ; she also gave, ‘lt was a Dream.’ Mr Acland san** two of Schubert's songs very well indeed, and Mr Weir gave Mendelssohn’s ‘ Suleika.’ 1 have heard things I like better, but he has a good voice, and Mr A. Miller sang ‘ Nazaieth,’ which I said I would never go anywhere to hear sung again since hearing Mr Santley. I shall never forget the effect of the last refrain as sung by him ; he seemed to have the power of a full chorus. I am amazed that his songs should be chosen so soon after he has left our shores ; it is the same in Dunedin, I notice.

Again that afternoon I was compelled to wish I could be in two places at once, for the Point to Point Steeplechase was going on out at Templeton, and the weather was glorious, (hie large drag, if not more, went out with a merry party, and numberless carriages, carts, and other wheeled vehicles took the road beside the riders. Among the ladies out were Miss B. Loughnan, Miss Delamain, ami Miss Helmore. The wedding at St. John’s Church, Papanui, was a very crowded ami pretty gathering. You remember I I’iad scarcely finished my last letter to you before I went to see it. The bride, Miss I*’rances Mary Gallaghan, of Melbourne, was a guest of Mrs J. T. Matson’s, and the wedding took place fiom there. Mr Ernest Hopkins was the happy man, and I believe had a race to be here in time, the steamer he was to journey by from the North Island here being postponed. He chartered a small one across to Blenheim, and knocked up I don’t know how many horses riding the rest of the distance ; it must have been very exciting for all concerned. At any rate he arrived in time, looking rather sunburnt, but very happy. The church was very prettily decorated, amongst other things a green archway being erected at the entrance of the chancel, and a large white bell of flowers suspended, under which they were married. The bride looked very pretty in a handsome brocaded white silk with train, the front draped with some lovely old Brussels lace ; the train had a full inching all round. At her side hung a beautiful feather fan fastened with a diamond buckle, a small wreath on her hair, and long tulle veil, fastened with a diamond crescent. She carried a lovely boimuet in a silver holder. Mr J. T. Matson led her into church and gave her away. There were three bridesmaids the Misses Hopkins (sisteis of the bridegroom), and Miss Matson. Their dresses were exceedingly pretty, of Eau de Nil Liberty silk, with full skirts, bodices V-shape in front, high collar at the back, high sleeves with bands of dark ribbon velvet round each shoulder, ending in a bow at the top, and forming braces at the back, while at the left side a handsome bow and ends of the velvet was fastened by a gold safety brooch. The hats were white silk Directoire ones, with white ostrich plumes, long Suede gloves,, ami each bridesmaid had a directoire cane with silver knob, and tied with a bunch of Eau de Nil ribbon and the velvet with long ends. Mr O’Bryen Hoare performed the ceremony, and Mr Clarence Turner presided at the organ, playing the ‘ Wedding March ’ as they left the church, and for the first time 1 heard a merry’ peal rung on the bells for a wedding ; it sounded so cheerful and jolly, and I thought it was very nice to be married at a church when* they had a peal of bells. Mrs Matson wore a handsome black satin dress, lace and jet mantle, black bonnet with crimson bird : Mrs Conway Matson, handsome black costume, and bonnet trimmed with Eau de Nil moire ribbon, her bouquet tied with long ribbon ends of the same shade ; Mrs J. Matson, terracotta dress handsomely braided, black lace mantle with angel sleeves ; the bonnet was so small as to appear only as a band of white velvet with spray of marguerites. Her little daughter was with her, looking like a little cherub in white ami pale blue ; Miss A. Matson, a pretty dress of dark heliotrope trimmed with velvet, hat to match ; Mrs Walton, blue silk with trimmings of blue and white stripe, black mantle ami blue bonnet ; Miss Walton, vieux rose costume prettily braided. Medici collar, white crinoline hat ami lovely white feathers; Mrs( I >r.) Thomas, very handsome corded sill< of dark vieux rose with black lace, cream bonnet with alsation bow of cream ribbon; she also carried a choice bouquet; Mrs R. I). Thomas, a dark heliotrope merveilleux ; Mrs O. B. Hoare, grey silk dress with brocade front panel, black mantle bon net* of dark blue and gold lace : Miss Hoare, grey dress,

black tulle hat with grey bows; Mrs I*. Donald, rich black costume, her bonnet trimmed with fern fronds ami flowers ; Mrs Beaumont, grey silk and brocade, grey bonnet with white flowers, and a lovely bouquet of violets; Mrs .1. (iresson, handsome dress of black silk ami moire t rimmed with white, black hat with white ostrich plumes ; Miss Turner, black costume, and net hat with yellow chrysanthemums; Miss King, grey dress, pink flower bonnet ; Miss Way, fawn, green and brown mixed check costume, green velvet sleeves and Medici collar, fawn felt hat with ostrich faw n tips and green velvet. There were many others present, among them Mrs ami Miss Jennings, Mrs Horace Brown, Mr Walton. Messrs <’. ami J. Matson, junior, while Mr 11. Matson acted as lest man, Mr J. Gresson, Dr. Thomas. Mr R. I >. Thomas, MrG. Kettlewell, Messrs I*. Donald, Beaumont, ami <’. Turner. All were most hospitably entertained at Mr J. 'l'. Matson’s home, Papanui Hoad. There was a very quiet wedding up at St. Helen’s Station recently, when Mr Low seldest daughter was married to Mr Pyne, of our town. Mr D. Rutherford drove them in a four in hand fiom her late home to (’ulverden railway

station, the first stage of their journey townwards, ami the next tiling we hear they are settled quietly in their new home on the Lineoln road. As well as the Steeplechase and Miss Stratton’s concert I must not forget the Association football match, which was played on Hagley Park the same afternoon between Wellington ami Christchurch, and a goodly number of visitors were on the ground. I heard some lovers of the old Rugby game afterwards decrying this as a ‘rotten game.’ You will understand, doubtless, as well as I do what they mean. Mrs Maude dispensed afternoon tea, and amongst the ladies looking on were Mrs Lomax Smith, Mrs Lance, Mrs and Miss Tanner, Miss Lane, Miss Hawkins, Miss WynnWilliams, Miss Helmore, and Miss Campbell. Mrs River, Travancore, gave a large afternoon tea, when some of those present contributed songs and music. Mrs Lane has a full, musical voice, and sang ‘ I Seek for Thee,’ and Mrs Croxton gave Jude’s * Better Land,’ a very pretty setting. Some of the others were Mrs Kaye, Mrs K. and Mrs J. Adair, Mesdames Kinsey, Mallion, Morris, Jameson, W. Stringer, E. Deacon, Snow, the Misses Allen, Deacon, Croxton, and several others. I must really stop writing, but I have more weddings to tell yon. It is astonishing the number this month.

Dolly vale.