CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 26, 27 June 1891, Page 111

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, June 10. There is a decided ‘ frost 1 in the way of amusements, as well as in the atmosphere here. Just now we are only living'in the hope of something turning up, as people so often do for the ‘ something ’ that, alas ! never conies. But our social afternoons and evenings are very pleasant, and I think, I may say, improving. Mrs Alan’s Scott’s Wednesday work party met, as usual, and a good amount of business was done, and the amusement committee, consisting of Mrs Scott, the Hon. Mrs E. W. Parker, and the Misses A. and F. Greenwood, for that day, were most successful in providing their part, singing, reciting, reading, and acting being much enjoyed by all. The first of a series of winter entertainments was given in the Riecarton Schoolroom. This was entitled ‘An Evening with Tennyson,’ and was a thoroughly artistic and enjoyable one. The first tableau was * Enid and Geraint,’ Miss Molly Sanders and Mr Harris being the personators. Miss Sanders wore a pretty grey silk, made after the fashion of about fifty years ago, her hair hanging loosely over her shoulders, and covered with a soft veil, and she held a spinning wheel. Next came, ‘ Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead,’ a very sad scene, but beautifully carried out. Mr G. P. Williams lent himself for the dead warrior, and Miss Queenie Campbell made the sweetest widow. Her maidens were the Misses Bowen, Harper, and Garsia. Miss Bowen made an excellent old nurse, with powdered hair add white cap. Nothing was wanting even to the baby, and this tableau was loudly re-demanded. The next was ‘ Elaine,’ personated by Miss Harley, standing with shield waiting in a melancholy mood for her Launcelot. Next came Miss Nelly Maude and Mr A. Harper as ‘ King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid ;’ then ‘ The Sleeping Beauty,’ in which Miss Delamain looked charming, and Mr Maude was the Prince. Mrs Leonard Harper sang at intervals, illustrating some of the tableaux, and it makes it so much more interesting and effective, too. Miss Hutton and Mr Mannering also sang, and the Riccarton choir gave a pretty part song, and Miss Beryl Gaisiacame out very well in a violin solo. Altogether, it was a pronounced success, and Mr and Mrs Winter must be much pleased at the prospect before them of their winter evening entertainments being so good. Another evening Mrs Tabart, Opawa, gave a large party for children in the Schoolroom, with a mixture of youths, and maidens, and mothers. I think considerably over a hundred must have been present, for they were there from north, sonth, east, and west of Christchurch, a coach taking a great many of the guests to and fro. I noticed among the chaperones Mrs Stead, Mrs Denniston, Mrs Wilding, Mrs Kimbell, Mrs Curnow, Mrs McKellar, Mrs T. S. Campbell, and others. The music for dancing, was played by lady friends, and a few of the Curagoa officers were there. Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Tabart were untiring in their efforts to make the young people enjoy themselves, and succeeded admirably, for they have never done talking about ‘ the lovely ball.’ , , j Talking of balls reminds me of our great loss, and all ball-room frequenters will feel sorry for the rather sudden death of Mr Thos. Fleming. He had to undergo some operation, and after about a week’s illness he succumbed. His son is taking up all his father’s work, but Mr Fleming was so well known at all dances, and so obliging he will be missed for some time. Then news was cabled out of the death of Capt. Hayter, of Rollesby Station, Burke's Pass. He also went home, 1 believe, for medical advice, probably an operation, and he has passed away. He will be much missed at Burke’s Pass, being an energetic church-worker and lay reader there. The town was perfectly electrified a few days ago at the sudden death of Mr James Struthers Williams. He was not very well, and had been under medical treatment, but at the office every day but the one previous to his death. His father died in the same painfully sudden manner, and that only four days after their arrival in the colony, winch was in the Randolph, one of the first four ships in December, 1850. The cause of death is thought to be heart disease. He leaves a widow and large family of young children. The Dean and Mrs Jacobs are once more settled in the deanery, and taking up all their old duties, and both much benefited by the trip. The re-building of the Cathedral spire is really commenced, and very soon all trace of that destroying earthquake will be away, I hope. By the Tainui we lost one of our promising musicians, Mr E. E. Searelle, who has gone to England en route for Johannesburg, South Africa, to join his brother, Mr Luscombe Searelle, who recently paid us a visit and produced his own cantata, * Australia,’ in conjunction with the Musical Society.

Mr K. Heaton Rhodes joined the benedicts in Melbourne, at Glenara, the residence of the bride’s eldest brother. 1 hear the bride’s (Miss Clark’s) dress was exquisite, a quantity of lovely lace being worn, and the biidesmaids also wore beautiful dresses. Miss Rhodes was in )>ale primrose with chiffon frills, and Miss E. Rhodes can ilc nil silk with same frills.

We have had the most amusing accounts of the general disappointment and disgust at the biithday festivities at Government House, Wellington, how eleven young debutantes arrayed themselves in lovely new white gowns to make this their ‘ coming-out ’ ball ; but, of course, the magic word to make it a ball was missing from the card, so there is no one to blame after all but themselves. The elderly

portion of the gatheiing enjoyed the general moving about and chat, but not so the young ones bidden to the reception. We are waiting most impatiently for Madame I'atey’s advent. I only hope my good angel will hover near me, and

so arrange that I may hear her otten.

Dolly Vale.