CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 11, 14 March 1891, Page 11

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, February 26. The Bowling Tournament has caused great excitement. I never thought it was such a popular game, being always under the impression it was an old man’s game, but it is not alogether so. There is much skill required, I am told, to get the necessary curve. There were about three hundred players taking part in the tournament, and to see the keen interest shown over the games was surprising to many on the Christchurch Green. Our players have been very self-denying over their practising, and taking care of the green for this great event, consequently it was like a velvet carpet. There was a great crowd on the ladies’ day to watch the proceedings, and though not understanding it, the greatest interest was apparent. The Club were most attentive to the visitors, and their hospitality was much appreciated. I saw Mis Stevens, Mrs Moorhouse, Mrs Cuff, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Carrick, Mrs Louisson, Mrs Webster, Mrs Marshall and others. Mrs Wynn-Williams also had a large party on her fourth Thursday, a few strangers being amongst them, Mr H. Reeves and his son, who have just returned from the Sounds trip, being there, and Mr Clark, son of Mr Charles Clark, who has returned from England, Mr George Kimbell from Wellington, Mrs Murray-Aynsley, Mrs Gerald Westeura, Mrs Maclean, Mr and Mrs A. Strachey, Mrs and Miss M. Moorhouse, Mr Fenwick, Mrs and the Misses Helmore, Mrs and the Misses Tabart, Mrs and the Misses Neave, Mrs Wigram, Mrs Wilding, Mrs Izard, Mrs and the Misses Hallimore, Miss Grey, Miss Gould, Mr Arthur Rolleston, Dr. Murray-Aynsley, MrT. Maude, Mr D. Wynn-Williams, Mrs and Miss Reeves, Mr and Mrs Baker, the Misses Rhodes, Miss Greenwood, Miss Tabart, Mrs and Miss Harper, and numbers more. The dresses were nothing new. It is getting so late in the season now, yet we shall be loath to part with old garments, for it means winter. Lake Forsyth Regatta must be looking up, for Christchurch people were granted a holiday for the occasion, not but what we are ready for one on the slightest provocation. I don’t think everyboay went out to Little River, but there were numbers of picnics, and Mr Maude took some of his Riccarton friends out in his yacht, the Fleetwing. The Zephyr also took a party, I hear. Mrs Wilding gave a ladies’ luncheon party at Opawa one day last week. I heard the table decorations were greatly admired, the flowers being exquisitely arranged in white china vases.

Mrs Reeves, Risingholme, had an ‘ at home ’ to bid farewell to Miss Reeves before her departure for England. They had an immense gathering. There was tennis going on, croquet, music, and a lovely garden, greenhouse, and fernery to inspect, besides chatting with one’s friends. Miss Reeves received many presents with the good wishes of all her friends ; in fact, had a ‘good send off’.’ Among the guests I saw Mrs Rhodes, of Elmwood, in a handsome black silk dress, and jet and lace mantle; Miss Rhodes, dark skirt and white blouse ; Miss E. Rhodes and Miss Clark wore white ; Mrs Burns, a lovely cream silk crepe trimmed with lace ; Mrs Westley Perceval, brown merveilleux satin ; Miss Greenwood, blue, with large white spots; Miss Alexander, a fawn tweed tailor-made costume ; Miss Robison, pale blue ; Miss M. Tabart, white dress, and lace and violet hat; Miss Kimbell, dark blue ; Miss Hutton, pretty pink zephyr ; Mrs L. Harper, Mrs R. Wilson, Mrs Loughman, Mrs Wilding, Mrs Kimbell, Mrs Tabart and Mrs Robison.

Mrs Nedwill had a small tennis party, but it was too intensely hot to play much. The Misses Wynn-Williams, in pretty white dresses, were about the most energetic. The Misses Helmore were there. Miss Cowlishaw, and Messrs Golden, Hall, and Rolleston. I hear Mr Golden is leaving too, by the Tongariro with the other friends I mentioned, and Mr Walibi Edwards has left us for a time, journeying in the same steamer as Mr and Mrs (leorge Rhodes. Mr and Mrs R. H. Rhodes, of Bluecliffs, have started on a tour to England, via America. I am glad to think of some returning to us to make up for all this desertion. Mr and Mrs R. Macdonald are expected after twelve months’ absence, having travelled in America, Great Britain, and Europe. The Hon. E. W. and and Mrs Parker are back, and Mr and Mrs G. MacleanBuckley are on their way to New Zealand to take up their residence at Laghmor. There are one or two marriages spoken of to come off shortly. Miss Lucy Cuff ami Mr Kenneth Turner, of Timaru ; Miss Allen, of Opawa, and Mr Laurie ; and Miss Ethel Ford, who has just returned from England, to Mr Priestman, a fellow passenger. The Bishop and Mrs Julius are away just now visiting Mount Cook. I believe there are quite a number of people touring that particular part of the colony at present. It is with the deepest regret I have to tell you of the sudden death of Mr Caleb Whitefoord at Dunedin. About two months ago he had rather a severe illness, supposed to be from sunstroke. He was carefully tended by Dr. Mickle, in whose house he stayed for some little time ami improved in a wonderful way. He afterwards got six months leave of absence, and had gone to Dunedin with Mrs Whitefooid, intending to visit Tasmania shortly, his old home. He went to bed one night in his usual health, and in a few hours was dead. Recent letters from Mrs Whitefoord and himself to friends in Christchurch spoke so ho|>efiilly of his steady convalescence that the news of his

death was a great shock. His remains were brought up and interred at the Papanui Cemetery, being one of the largest funerals I have seen, his official position as well as his bright genial nature bringing him into contact with all sorts and conditions. He was much beloved as well as esteemed and res]>ected, and has been cut off at the early age of fiftyone. Another of the pioneer settlers has joined the great majority in the person of Mr John Price Quaife, who arrived in the Cressy, one of the first four shi|>s, and has reached the good old age of fourscore years. Lent is upon us, yet we are planning festivities as soon as it shall be over. Mrs Rhodes, Elmwood, is talking of a ball then, and the (.Jiris' floating Club wish to do a little entertaining of the same kind.

Dolly Vale.