CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 39, 26 September 1891, Page 417

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, September 9. Things in the scholastic world somewhat clashed here the other day—a football match between Christ’s College and Wanganui, and the breaking up in the evening and presentation of diplomas at the University, and students’ social, but both were largely attended, and went off very vigorously. The day was very cold, with some smart showers, so the attendance at the football match was small in comparison. Mrs Worthy most kindly supplied afternoon tea in her dining-room which was much appreciated. She was assisted by a host of girls. The first part of the programme in the evening consisted of songs by Mrs Harrison, Mr W. Day, and Mr C. Turner, and recitations capitally given by two very small boys. Then came the farce ‘ Little Toddlekins,’ which was extremely well done, Upton, who took the title role, receiving immense applause. The others were Miss Worthy, Masters Acland, Izard, Bell, and Worthy. It was one of the best breaking-up entertainments they have given. The room was quite full, including the Wanganui team. At the University long before three o’clock the hall was packed, and some of the ‘ grads ’ that day must have felt proud of their old colleague and chum, Mr Hay, who occupied the chair as deputy for the Chancellor. The proceedings were most orderly, but the usual songs were indulged in, some composed for the occasion airing the students’ grievances and giving their opinions, which were very amusing. In the evening a large gathering of students and their friends met at Hobbs’ Buildings, when a most enjoyable time was spent. Ons room was set apart for games, and some really good pictures were on view there, but dancing was the principal item on the programme, interspersed with musical items by Mesdames W. Wilson and Garrard, and Mr Merton. Among those present were Mrs Bickerton, wearing a crimson broche dress with demi-train, Honiton lace collar, and handsome necklace of Indian filagree and stones ; Mrs G. Merton, in black net and maize sash ; Mrs Tendall, crimson and black striped silk, and handsome cloak ; Mrs Grossman, white Liberty silk ; Miss Pratt, pale blue silk ; Miss C. Pratt, electric blue net and silk ; Miss Tendall, pale pink ; Miss Bickerton, white silk, with pale pink panels; Miss Prosser, white Liberty silk ; Miss Marchant (Wellington), black velvet, with green ehiffon frill on bodice and sleeves ; Miss Greenstreet ; Mrs Wilson, electric blue silk and brocade ; and many others. Mrs and Miss Loughnan had a large party for afternoon tea at Tilford that day, and in spite of the cold and damp, all spent a merry time. The musical portion was exceptionally good. Mrs Wilding gave some of her charming pieces. Mrs Burns, Mrs H. Murray-Aynsley, Mrs R. Wilson, "Mrs Alan Scott, and Mrs Westnracott sang most pleasingly, while Miss B. Loughnan accompanied herself on her guitar in a quaint Spanish ditty. She also gave us sweets in another form, which she learned to make while on a visit to Dunedin ; they were much praised by everybody. Mrs Murray-Aynsley wore a navy blue serge, with full vest of blue silk with white spots ; Mrs R. Wilson, a seal brown dress with trimming of astrachan ; Mrs Clifford, in grey; Mrs Napier Bel), light brown dress, braided, with cape of brown plush ; but as the day was so dull only winter garments were worn. Among the guests were Mrs and Miss Campbell, Mrs Kimbell, Miss R. Tabart, Mrs Ollivier, Miss Helmore, Mrs Baker, Miss Wimperis, and others. The concert given to the Misses A. S. and Lavinia Taylor by the Society of Musicians took place at the Oddfellows’ Hall, and it was evident how much the people of Christchurch were in sympathy with those ladies by the numbers assembled there, the place being packed. The concert was an excellent one, though several alterations had to be made in the programme, owing to the unavoidable absence of Mrs W. Wilson, the Misses Fairhurst and M. Bell. Miss Fisher, from Wellington, very kindly filled a gap, and gave the audience a real treat by singing two songs, with an encore to each, and Mr F. M. Wallace giving another ‘ little tune on his fiddle,’ as he called it, and which we are always pleased to hear. Miss Stratton was the first lady vocalist, and looked very nice in pale pink silk. Gounod's ‘ Worker ’ was the song chosen, but from nervousness or some other cause was not a success. Miss L. Wood, who made her debut at the Musical Society’s concert, came next with ‘ Voi Che Sapete.’ She looked very sweet in pure white silk, with white bouquet, and sang as sweetly, but she, too, suffered from nervousness. Then came one of the gems of the evening, 'She Wore a Wreath of Roses,’ from Miss Fisher, the full, rich tones of her voice reminding one actually of England's great contralto, Madame I’atey, and given the same training, would be a glorious voice. She sings with much pathos, ami gave as her encore Packer’s ‘Listening.’ In the second part she sang • The Fog Bell ’ beautifully, and received a most en-

thusiastic recall, anil gave ‘ Three Fishers.' She was robed in black velvet, with train, and chiffon frills on bodice and sleeves, and looked extremely well. Miss Ada Taylor sang, ‘ Pack Clouds Away,’ with obligato on the English concertina by her sister. Their ap|>earance on the stage was greeted with quite an ovation, most of the audience rising. Miss Ada wore heliotrope silk with crimson Howers, and carried a beautiful bouquet, and Miss Lavinia a red dress handsomely braided. Mr Millar was very successful in ‘Honour and Arms,’also Mr Weir with ‘The Requital.’ The instrumental part of the programme was contributed by Mr F. M. Wallace, who played charmingly, Messrs Lund, Searell, Merton, and Loughnan. Among the large audience I saw the Bishop and Mrs Julius, Mrs Embling, Mis Macintosh (nee Normington), Mrs and Miss Rhodes, Miss Hatton, Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Common, Mrs and Miss Greenwood, Mis Parberry, Mrs Denniston, Mrs G. Roberts, the Misses Moorhouse, Mrs R. J. Scott, Mrs Wigram, Mrs Macdonald, Mrs Ollivier, Mrs A. Wilson, Mrs It. Wilson, Miss Mien, Mrs Wilding, Mrs Matthias, Mrs W. Willock, Mis G. Harper, Mrs Burns, Miss Loughnan, Miss Burns, Mrs R. D. Thomas, Mrs and Miss Graham, Mrs and Miss Hargreaves, Mrs and Miss Kimbell, the Misses Turner, Tripp, Andrews, and many others. There were some beautiful cloaks worn. Mrs Rhodes had an exquisite pale grey, with Medici collar and high shoulders ; Miss Emily Rhodes, a lovely white one, with feather trimming ; Mrs Cunningham, long one of white and gold brocade ; Mrs Common, white brocaded with gold. That evening Mrs Ross gave a small dance for young people, ‘ not outs ’ principally, and one for children the next evening. Both were much enjoyed. It was a lovely day, and many townspeople hied themselves to the North Canterbury Steeplechase held at Amberley. It is a grand country for a race, the slopes down to the course forming a natural stand. The residents turned out in great force, and there were several wellappointed four-in-hands. Sir Lance drove one, well filled with ladies ; Mr Greenwood and Mr Thompson also tooled fours, and Mr H. Lance a tandem. Miss A. Greenwood, who is staying with Mrs Wilson, Culverden, was there, Mrs Michael Campbell and her daughter, Mrs Gould, Mrs Stevens, Mis Alan Scott, Mrs Boyle, Mrs Wilder, Mrs IL Murray-Aynsley, Miss Murray-Aynsley, Miss Cowlishaw, Miss Helmore, and others. Mr G. Murray-Aynsley was most fortunate, winning three out of four races he lode in. Mr Dourlas Kimbell got a roll on the grass again. He seems to be of .ne India-rubber type, and conies up with a bound not much the worse. Mrs Courage was hospitality itself, and provided afternoon tea for countless people, and as the cold east wind came up as the sun declined, it was most acceptable. In the evening a fancy dress ball was held in the Town Hall, I suppose it was called. It was so nicely decorated as to be scarcely recognisable, so a barn would have done provided the floor was as good as this one was, and the music was Fleming’s, from Christchurch, which is quite enough to say. Some of the dresses were very pretty, and nearly everyone wore fancy costume. Several wore evening costume, adding powder and patches - Mrs G. Gould, Mrs M. Campbell, Miss Helmore, Mrs White, and others. Miss Campbell, as Priestess of the Sun, looked very nice in loose flowing gown of white and gold with coronet ; Duchess of Devonshire, Mrs Douglas, green silk with pink trimming, and the orthodox hat and feathers (a striking and becoming dress) ; Miss Cowlishaw and Miss Clark, in Grecian gowns; a Watteau dress worn by Miss M. Courage was very pretty of some striped pink material. Among the gentlemen tlieie were peasants from the east and peasants from the west, soldiers, sailors, tennis players, etc., etc. On the same day Miss Brett, eldest daughter of the late Colonel Brett, was married to the Rev. W. Easton, Evangelist. The bride wore a pretty dove-coloured dress, white lace shawl and bonnet, and was attended by four little nieces in cream frocks with pale blue sashes, and hats trimmed to match. It was a quiet wedding, only a veryfew guests being present. The Italian band played on the lawn during the afternoon, and about four o’clock the happy pair left <■« route for Hamner Plains. The grouping and photographing of the little people who attended Mrs E. W. Humphrey’s fancy dress ball has been going on apace, and the album will form a very pleasant reminder of the very happy time she gave them.

Dolly Vale.