CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 40, 4 October 1890, Page 11

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, Septembeh 29. I think you will be veiy disappointed in the way of news, for there is nothing talked of, tlioughtof, or dreamt of, but strikes outside by our men, and at home how to save the coals, and as you get quite as much of this lamentable story as we do, there is nothing to tell on that subject. Mrs Studholme was more than good to have another of her pleasant afternoons, * music and dancing.’ There was a large party present, but not many men. I suppose they were all free labourers that day, and we did not forget them, and wished they could have had a cup of tea when we were sipping ours. 1 know they would have truly enjoyed it in the midst of hauling the coal or stowing cargo. Mrs Wynn-Williams gave a charming evening party — leaux eivants first, followed by a dance. The tableaux

were a great success, especially a Greek one, a group of girls listening to Sappho, taken, I lielieve, from a picture in some art magazine, and ‘Cinderella,' Miss Wynn Williams peisonating that mueh-injured young lady in all children's minds, and Miss Cowlishaw and Miss Tabart the jealous sisters. In the Greek one Miss E. Tabart woie blue and silver; Mis N. Reeves, white ; Miss Wynn Williams, blue ; and Miss Cowlishaw and Miss Thomson, red. They wenall made in the pretty graceful folds of the Grecian style. Among the guests were Mrs Burns, Airs Pitman, Miss Tabart, Miss Kimbell. Miss liobinson, ami Miss Maude. The final match for the championship was played off between Mr Harman and Mr Wilding, the former winning after some splendid play on both sides. A large number <if tennis players were attracted to the Cranmer Square Courts to witness the final, and a great interest taken. Mrs and the Misses Nedwill dispensed afternoon tea. The samg day there was a walking party to Sumner, including Mrs Harrison, Miss Loughman, Miss Hehuore, and Miss Robi son, where a most pleasant day was spent. A very quiet wedding took place at St. Peter s Church, Ricearton, that of Miss Raven to Mr W. D. Andrews, only the family being | resent. An immense alteration and improvement is just finished at Messrs Ballantyne and Co.'s establishment the addition of anew showroom for millinery, mantles, and ladies' underclothing. This room is 90 feet by 30 feet, and beautifully lighted, principally from the top, and is just in time to show their magnificent display of spring good's. The millinery is a dream of feathers and Howers. Their premises cover eiose on half an acie now.

It gave us all quite a shock when we heard that Mrs W. Wood, nee Miss Lougbnan, had died the previous evening. She had been ill some time, and seriously so, with tvphoul fever, but was recovering, and had gone to Simmer for change, when she suffered a relapse ami passed away. Everyone sympathises greatly with Mr Wood in his sad bereavement, ami an immense number of friends attended the funeral, while the collin was covered with beautiful wreaths.and crosses, and even all round the grave strewn with flowers. Mrs Wood before her marriage hail been an active member of the Catholic Church, being in the choir ami assisting in other good works. One of Canterbury's earliest settlers died very suddenly, Mr G. I>. Lockhart. He had been ailing a few weeks, having an attack of la grippe, but death was tire result of syncope. The Amateur Opera Company have again produced * Les Cloches de Cofneville,’ with very little alteration in the east, that of Mr M. H. Weir as the Marquis being, I think, the only one. The opera as a whole is an improvement on the last performance of it. Mrs C. Edgar is excellent as Germaine, and looks so pretty, while Miss E. Buchanan as Serpolette is full of life ami dash. Mr Weir sings bis music beautifully, but did not seem quite at home on the stage. No doubt by the end of the live nights he will be very much so. Mr- C. Edgar as the Baillie is simply immense, and is ably backed up by Mr.l. L. Morgan as Gobo. Mr E. R. Anderon's sweet voice is heard to advantage in the part of Grenieheux, and Mr Hymen’s acting of Gaspard, the miser, is very clever, the chorus being excellent throughout with a capital little orchestra. The whole being under the baton of Mr E. M. Wallace, makes a very creditable performance. The stage management, as heretofore, is confided to Mr Seager, and ably carried out. Each evening . the performance is under the special patronage of some club or society, so they should have bumper housesand a good credit balance, which they much need. Our Spring Elower Show comes off, ami ought to be a good one, as the weather lias been most favourable to the early (lowering of the narcissi tribe.

Dolly Vale.