CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 36, 12 September 1891, Page 369

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, August 25. The conversazione of the Science Society at the Canterbury College was a decided success. Theie were between live and six hundred people present. The large hall was nicely decorated with pot plants, and used for the concert, when Miss M. Bell sang very pleasingly, * Remember Me No More,’ and Miss Packer gave a violin solo. But there was so much to see you could not stay in one room long at a time. Experiments were shown and explained by the students in various rooms, and telephonic communication was supposed to be established with the concert room, bnt with so many about it was not possible to get the full benefit of that. Among the numbers I saw Mrs H. R. Webband Miss M. Webb, Mrs Bickerton, and her daughter, Mrs J. P. Firth, Mrs and Miss Mcßae, and hosts more, and as it was a very cold night, nearly everyone took cold crossing the quadrangle from one heater! room to another, and as every second person you meet speaks to you from behind a pockethandkerchief with a strong inclination to sound d for n, and they say pitifully, ‘Oh, yes, I got it at the conversazione,’ all one’s acquaintances seem to have been there. Mrs Kelsey is on a visit in town just now, and was at an afternoon tea given by Mrs Wilding, Fawnhope. Mrs H. Murray-Aynsley sang a pretty little song of Rubenstein’s. Miss F. Wynn-Williams, and Miss Hutton also sang, an<l Miss Loughnan added the charm of the guitar. MissWynn-Williams has returned from'her long visit to the North Island, and the sisters had an afternoon tea, where a few of their girl friends were glad to meet her. The Misses Cowlishaw, Miss Greenwood, the Misses Wilson (Culverden), Miss E. Rhodes, Miss M. Tabart, Miss Hutton, Miss Thomson, and Miss Loughnan were there. Then came the Grand National, and never was a finer day known on the race course, not even an east wind. The sun was too hot, indeed, and many ladies, were glad to leave sealskin jackets and other wraps while they paced the lawn and viewed horses and riders. It reminded one very much of Cup Day, the crowd was so large, especially of ladies. The members were allowed extra tickets for ladies, and this, with the unusually beautiful day tempted many. The large number of accidents marred the pleasure somewhat. In the first race Mr G. Murray-Aynsley was carried off the field on a stretcher, and no one knew how much he was hurt, but luckily he escaped with a sprained hand, though stunned with the fall. Then Morok’s jockey, Mr J. Allen, was more seriously hurt, getting a broken collar bone. Later two horses came to grief, Waihi, a North Island horse, putting his shoulder out (which we were told would be put right again) and Mr Murray-Aynsley’s Lightning injuring himself so much he bad to be destroyed. There was quite a spring look about the lawn as the ladies strolled past, many wearing light lawn, grey, and one or two in the fashionable cornflower blue. Many, of course, are in winter garb, navy blue serge being much in favour. The large plaids are very stylish, and look well on tall, slim figures, snowflake, rough tweeds, and here and there a red gown. The latest style in mantles, three-quarter length, gathered into a yoke on the shoulders, are also to be seen. Mrs G. G. Stead was in light fawn, with gold braided vest, and bonnet trimmed with brown velvet, three-quarter cloak of grey cloth ; Mrs Alan Scott, brown cloth dress, with dovecoloured cloth three quarter cloak lined with pink silk, the yoke thickly braided with gold, and Medici collar, and bonnet of violets ; Sirs Denniston, myrtle green braided with black, and black bonnet ; Mrs Otterson, dark blue-green cloth, with broad figured fawn stripe with a touch of pale blue, brown velvet Ironnet; Mrs Gould, grey rough tweed with

laige pattern in dark shade, black bat with red velvet bows ; Mrs G. Rhodes, blue and green tartan, large black bat; Miss E. Rhodes, green cloth dress, with green and black brocaded velvet sleeves, beaver round the skirt, and black velvet l>onnet; Mrs Rhodes, handsome black costume, with grey velvet bonnet with steel trimming; Mrs Michael Campbell, dove grey cashmere with straps of plush the same shade, bonnet to match, and seal jacket ; Miss Campbell, fawn tweed, brown hat trimmed with brown velvet ; Mrs G. Roberts, fawn dress showing underskirt of brown velvet, handsome black velvet mantle, and stylish fawn and brown velvet bonnet with brown t'ps : Miss Fell (Nelson), a rich plum-coloured dress, and tbiee-quarter cloak edged with grey fur, felt hat of lighter shade and dark feathers (a most picturesque costume); Mrs P. Cunningham, light brown cloth with fawn vest braided in gold, and dark red-brown velvet bonnet; Miss Cunningham, cornflower blue dress with puff round the bottom of the bodice, and large black bat; Mrs Wynn-Williams, in black, the bonnet relieved with yellow ; Miss Wynn-Williams, grey cloth with astraclian border, black hat and feathers; Miss F. Wynn-Williams, snowflake tweed, brown hat with white bird, and brown feather l>oa; Mrs Cowlishaw, black silk, and handsome velvet mantle, bonnet with buttercup bows : Mrs R. D. Thomas, dark tweed dress of red and brown plaid, bonnet of brown and red velvet and jet, sealskin jacket ; Mrs G. Humphreys, red dress braided with black, drab corduroy jacket, black bonnet with red pompons; Mrs F. Thompson, grey check tweed dress, terra-cotta cloth jacket, braided sleeves in black, flat hat of terra-cotta, black lace, and feathers ; Mrs R. Rutherford, cornflower blue dress of two shades, with three tiny frills round the skirt, black bonnet with blue feathers, and sealskin jacket; Mrs (Dr.) Townend, handsome smoke grey dress, bonnet to match, seal jacket; Mrs W. P. Townend, a rich dress of ruby velvet and brocade, bonnet to match ; Miss A. Thompson, a pretty costume of brown serge, with the fashionable collar and pale blue tie, and pompons of the same shade in a brown beaver hat; the Hon. Mrs E. W. Parker, dark brown tweed in plaid, black three-quarter cloak with braided yolk, black hat with turquoise blue pompons ; her sister, Miss Baldwin, a light brown dress in large plaid, red-brown beaver hat with black feathers, and feather boa; Mrs Parberry, brown corduroy velvet with fawn silk vest, hat to match with knife-pleated rim, and trimmed with feathers ; Miss Burns, in red thickly braided with black ; Mrs E. C. J. Stevens, black silk and long lace mantle, petunia coloured bonnet and gloves, and white silk parasol ; Mrs F. Graham, red diess handsomely braided black and red velvet hat with jet; Mrs Cox and her sister, Miss T. Hardy Johnston, in small check fawn tweed of the rough make, with hats of the cloth and brown velvet and brown tips ; Miss F. Greenwood, cornflower blue gown with black astrachan border in front, black hat; Miss Cowlishaw, fawn tweed, hat with feathers to match ; her sister, in a pretty silver-grey costume ; Mrs Morton Ollivier, navy blue serge, red in her bonnet; Mrs E. W. Humphreys, navy blue with large plaid in dull red, bonnet of the two shades in velvet and jet; Miss G. Thompson, the Misses Murray-Aynsley, and the Misses Maude, all wore navy blue; Mrs Ewing, snowflake tweed, and navy felt hat; Mrs Preston (Timaru), fawn merveilieux and btocade, pale pink rose bonnet; Miss M. Hennah, grey tweed, black hat, and feather boa ; the Misses Helmoie, red cloth dresses, black jackets and hats; Mrs H. P. Murray-Aynsley, dress of the Murray tartan, black bonnet ; Miss Harley, pretty brown tweed, felt hat with touch of turquoise blue ; Mrs Gerald Westeura, dark green braided with black, with crimson silk sleeves and full yoke ; Mrs Wilder, sage green dress with epauletttes and panel of oriental embroidery ; Mrs Clifford, black and brown small cheek, light felt hat with brown feathers; Mrs Lang (Napier), stylish light brown tweed, felt hat with brown feathers ; Mrs Grigg (Longbeacb), reddish-brown tweed, hat to match ; her sister, Miss Hutton, fawn coloured costume ; Mrs W. Stringer brown and green plaid with pretty green bonnet; Miss Connal, black cashmere and brocade fawn mantle, and grey velvet bonnet with a touch of pink ; Miss A. Matson, red serge with black astrachan, and black hat; Mrs Peache (Mount Somers), light and dark brown cheek tweed ; and this is not nearly all, but I must stop and get home, for there is the Musical Society’s concert at night. But as the train is about to come to a standstill, the most horrible accident of the day happens, and a man is kille<l—Mr Hackshaw —well known, 1 believe, in racing circles. He stepped on to the platform only a second or two before the train stopped, and after a number of others, but fell backwards, and was killed instantly, one whesl passing right over his body. How soon the train would have stopped you may tell, and all would have been well ; the wheel was only a yard past his body. He leaves a wife and two little children. The concert was a great success. The Oddfellows’ Hall was well-filled, and both works were most satisfactorily performed. Mendelssohn’s ‘ Lauda Sion ’ came first, the principal parts being taken by Miss M. Bell, Mrs Russell, Messrs C. Jennings, and G. H. Normington, the second part being Gade’s ‘ Conrala,’ Miss Bell again taking the leading voice. An apology was made for her, as she had a severe cold, but it was quite unnecessary, as she sang very sweetly. Her three attendant maidens, the Misses L. Wood, A. and F. Greenwood, made a most successful debut, and all looked very sweet in white silk gowns with chiffon frills, and were the recipients each of a lovely bouquet. Miss Bell was gowned in a soft cream, with green satin braces and shoulder knots, and also had a charming bouquet. Mr W. Day was ‘ Comala’s ’ knight errant, and sang the music splendidly. The Bishop and Mrs Julius, with two daughters, were present, Mrs Embling, Mrs Day, Mrs H. R. Webb, Miss M. Webb, Miss Fairhurst (taking great interest in the three dfbutantes, who were pupils of hers). Mrs Ollivier, Miss Thomson, Mrs F. Thompson, Mrs and Miss Black, Mis Mcßae, Mrs Firth, and others. The Merivale Tennis Club dance was a delightful one. A committee of fifteen ladies, assisted by the gentlemen, had worked to such purpose that it is generally thought that there never was such a good dance given in Hobbs’ Buildings before. The room looked perfect as we entered in the full blaze of rose-coloured lights. The walls were not to be seen with the artistic drapings of Liberty muslin, mirrors, greenery, and flags, while at one end the raised dais with lounges and chairs, small tables, and fairy lamps, was a fitting spot for the chajierones with their handsome dresses. Mrs J. T. Matson, happy and smiling in a handsome black merveilieux, and dainty lace and feather cap ; Mrs Common, in an elegant diess of vieux rose watered silk

trimmed with point lace, and Medici collar; Mrs G. Roberts, rich black velvet with train, point lace on bodice and sleeves ; Mrs H. R. Webb, black silk, and pretty cap ; Mrs E. G. Wright, black silk ; Mrs Ronalds looked very handsome in herblack velvet dress; Mrs P. Cunningham had a most becoming dress of black silk, with white panels veiled with black lace, and some lovely diamonds for ornaments ; Mrs R. D. Thomas, vieux rose silk with white lace panier on the bodice ; Mrs (Dr.) Townend, in an exquisite diess of white satin, the front brocaded with gold, white ostrich feathers on the shoulders and in her hair; Mrs F. Thompson, white satin and lace and pink tips on the shonlders. pink velvet mantle ; Miss Fell (Nelson), rich red velvet; Miss A. Matson, very pretty dress of heliotrope and silver, white featherfan; Mrsß. Rutherford (Albury), crimson satin and coffee lace ; Miss M. Way, black with cream front; Miss Way, maize chiffon, with frills over the shoulders, meeting at the waist; Mrs Ewen, white satin and net; Miss Clark, heliotrope spotted net with velvet bodice of deeper shade ; Miss E. Turner, pretty cream dress with poppies; Miss L. Wood, in white silk and lovely bouquet; Miss Cunningham, black satin and net, with violets on the bodice, and beautiful bouquet of violets, maidenhair, and orchids : Mrs S. Palmer (Wellington), handsome black striped moire, with wattle blossom posy; Miss Palmer, maize Grecian costume with gold girdle; Miss Fisher (Wellington), cream Grecian gown embroidered in gold ; Miss Mcßae, pretty pale blue spotted net with satin bodice, pale blue band in her hair, fan to match ; Mrs Willock, handsome dress of heliotrope satin with velvet of darker shade ; Mrs Graham, crimson silk, with epaulets and other trimming of salmon pink ; Miss Graham, pretty pink spotted net over satin ; Miss M. Webb, a di’outante, in a pretty white net, and lovely bouquet ; Miss Harley, lovely dress of cream silk, and panels of Virginian creeper in velvet of the natural tone of the leaves in autumn; Mrs J. Gibbs, black silk, with heliotrope panel; Miss Hoare, black, with maize chiffon frills on the bodice, a high frill on the sleeves lined with maize ; Mrs W. Stringer, an exquisite dress of palest dove colour brocaded with gold ; Miss Ronalds, white; Miss Delamain and Miss Sutton, in black ; and many more very pretty dresses I could tell you of. For the Hunt Club Steeplechase the day was fine, but cold. A great many ladies were out at the races, but not nearly so many as on Thursday, and cloaks and wraps were a ieai comfort. Mis George Rhodes wore a seal brown cloth bordered with beaver, hat to match ; Mrs Wilder, brown tweed, Mrs Cowlishaw, long red figured cloak ; Miss E. Rhodes, a red-brown tweed, velvet bonnet with turquoise blue ; Mrs Harley, terra-cotta dress and mantle, with wattle in her bonnet; Mrs Stead, Mrs and Miss Cunningham, Mrs Carrick, the Hon. Mrs Parker, Miss Baldwin, Miss Grigg, Mrs Alan Scott, Mrs Laing (Napier), Mrs Boyle, the Misses Moorhouse, Greenwood, Cowlishaw, Wilson, (Culverden), Miss Smithson (Timaru), Mrs J. C. Grigg, and Miss Hutton were among those present. In the evening the Riccarton parish fund must have been considerably augmented by the large attendance which filled the Oddfellows’ Hall to witness the entertainment got up by Mrs Alan Scott and Miss Fairhurst for that purpose. The clever little comedy, ‘My Cncle’s 'Will,’ and the musical fairy tale, ‘ Creatures of Impulse,’ were the pieces chosen. The first was acted by Mrs Alan Scott, Messrs G. P. Williams and Wilder, and exceedingly well done. Mrs Scott wore a charming gown of soft eau-de-nil silk, bodice and train of darker shade of satin, which suited her to perfection. In‘Creatures of Impulse’ Mrs Alan Scott was Pipette ; Miss Greenwood, Martha ; Miss Worthy, The Witch ; MrE. R. Anderson, Peter, and was most irresistibly funny ; Mr Maitland Gaidner, the Sergeant; and Mr G. P. Williams the Miser. The chorus consisted of the Misses Greenwood, Kimbell, E. Rhodes, Cowlishaw, Gladys Wilson, and Messrs Studholme, Harman, Hall, T. Cowlishaw, Harper, and a few more. Miss Fairhnrst was musical directress, and the piece went capitally. In the Hall I noticed a good many of our visitors—Mrs G. Rhodes, Miss Smithson, Mrs Dalgety, Mrs J. Grigg, and others, Mrs Denniston, Mis and the Misses Tabart, Mrs M. and Miss Campbell, the Misses Wynn-Williams, Mrs and the Misses Cowlishaw. Mrs R. Wilson, Mrs Wilding, Mrs Wilder, the Hon. Mrs Parker, Mrs J. Deans, Mrs Bowen, Miss Hutton, Mrs Gardiner, Mrs Humphreys, Mrs G. P. Williams, Miss Macfarlane, Miss Tanner, etc.

Dolly Vale.