CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 30, 25 July 1891, Page 202

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, July 8. I had a whole week’s revelry with many of my neighbours, and some hailing from a distance, in the new parochial room, last week, at Papanui, with the exception of one day, and as that was a social, I didn’t like to intrude, so let the parishioners have it all to themselves, w’hich I regretted after, for Mrs Matson had a few nice things for sale, I heard, made by their guild, and Miss A. Matson, Mr C. Jennings, and others gave some charming songs, besides the great attraction of the pictures, and the room not being tightly packed, and everyone moving about, was the best evening to see them. The Papanui people are to be congratulated on the possession of such an admirable room for fiarochial purposes. It is fitted at one end with a neat ittle stage and two small dressing-rooms, and plastered throughout, consequently good for sound. The walls on this occasion were covered with pictures, some very good ones. Miss Gardner had some pretty landscapes (bits of the West Coast road.) There were some of our favourite local artist, Mr John Gibb’s, also some of Mr Gully’s. Among the photographs I saw Mr J. T. Matson. Mr Michael Campbell, General Campbell, and Bishop Harper. The stage each evening was a very bright spot, being most artistically decorated with mirrots, Liberty muslin, ivy, and pot plants, and well lighted. The Bishop gave his interesting lecture on the Chatham Islands one evening to a crowded and appreciative audience. The next night the fame and popularity of the carnival had so spread abroad that people were standing in every available spot, the money-taker's table in the porch being a great point of vantage. The evening began with ‘ The Happy Pair,’ by Mr and Mrs G. Humphreys, but owing to the arrival of late-comers almost through the entire piece, and coming in by the stage door, put them off considerably. Mrs Humphreys looked very nice in a crimson brocade teagown with full front of white silk and lace. The second part opened with the Oriental band playing selections. This was a most effective scene, and was loudly applauded. Twelve damsels in Oriental costume seated Oriental fashion on the stage played tambourines, and some

indescribable other instruments, one looking uncommonly like a dinner-bell, the whole led by Mrs Westmacoit, Miss Hennah behind the scenes accompanying on the piano. The other ladies of the band were Miss Queenie and Bessie Campbell, Miss Worthy, Miss M. Hennah, Miss Helmore, Miss Macfarlane, and several I could not recognise. Then eight more girls skipped in, in very pretty Spanish peasants' dresses, and danced a step dance, coached, I believe, by Mr Low, who in Spanish costume played the violin with the damsels, while Mr Poulton and Mr Watson, in gorgeous attire, stood one on each side, and just filled up a corner. The dancers were Miss Hailey, Miss E. Cox, the Misses Greenwood, Miss Walton, Miss Kimbell, Miss Campbell, and Miss Pattison. It was most gracefully performed, and loudly encored. Then came tableaux, * She Wore a Wreath of Roses,' sungiby Mrs Westniacott, Miss Campbell posing as the maiden, then the bride, with her cousin, Mr Poulton, as bridegroom ; then the most charming widow in becoming sorrow, but which ended too soon, for before the curtain was half down she clapped her hands with great glee, and was brimming over with smiles, which caused a deal of amusement among the audience. ‘ The Lost Child,’ sung by Mr Newman, and Sirsonated by Miss A. Matson, and a little boy of Mrs F. rittain’s, made of the orthodox complexion of a gutter child, was very well done. ‘ Who’s That Tapping at the Garden Gate?’ sung by Mr Acland, Mrs F. Brittain and Miss Bessie Campbell making a very model of the old lady unable to leave her chair and a coquettish maid. * Jessie’s Dream ’ was the jinale of a most successful evening. Miss Fairburst sang this, the bagpipes coming in most effectively in the distance, Miss A. Matson and Miss Hoare representing Jessie and the officer’s wife. The followng evening was called the select night, as it was to be a really good concert, prices accordingly. The room was fairly filled, and gave breathing room, which there certainly was not the pievious night. Mrs Wilson was in excellent voice, and gave ‘ The Old, Old Story ’ and ‘ The Soldier’s Dream ’ splendidly. Mrs Badhanr gave two songs; Messrs Acland, Newman, Corbett, and Mannering were also very successful. A banjo quattet by Messrs Blakesley, Matson, Morton, and Raphael fairly brought down the house. The Misses Helmore gave one of their pleasing duets, and each sang a song very nicely, and Mr Maitland Gardner gave his now famous ‘ Tarantelle,’ in which he fairly rivals Mr Patey. The next evening’s programme was almost a repeat of the tableaux, but this time Mr and Mrs Humphreys excelled themselves, being quite at home in their parts, and putting a great deal of life and go into their acting) Two recitations by Mrs Chynoweth took the place of some of the tableaux, and were exceptionally good. This is becoming quite a fashionable art, bnt unless well done is very ludicrous. Some people think they have only to learn a piece of poetry and then they can recite. Mrs Chynoweth has evidently studied the art, and is chaiming. Mrs Alan Scott’s Wednesday work party did not take place, as she was out of town, so double energy must be shown next meeting. Mrs W. P. Reeves is in town just now, but only for a short time, I believe, as she returns to Wellington next week. The ‘ Wabine ’ Club met at Miss Hutton’s last week, when an improving and enjoyable afternoon was spent. The students at the Agricultural College, Lincoln, gave a very pleasant dance. The dining hall was prettily decorated with flags and shields, the mantel-piece draped with Liberty and pot plants, most effectively arranged on it and in the fire-place. This made an excellent ballroom, and a splendid supper was laid in the lecture-room, the table being made very pretty with two shades of Liberty and ivy. A drag left the Rink stables about seven o’clock, taking out a number of towns folk, and did not return until six the following morning, so I should thing it must be pronounced a real good time. Mrs Neave had a large gathering of children at Okeover. This had to be an indoor party, it was so cold, but Mrs and the Misses Neave were ably assisted in amusing them by the Misses Tabart, Miss Delamain, and several others. Mr and Mrs Michael Godby, of Timaru, and Mr Walter Perrie, left by the Doric for a trip to England. We have not had so many departures lately, people not liking to arrive there and start off with a winter.

I am glad to hear the hospital lady visitors are contemplating giving another amateur performance in aid of their fund, as these are always so good.

The volunteers are very busy preparing some grand spectacular display, to come off in the theatre, to get funds for improving their new range at Bromley.

Dolly Vale.