CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 42, 17 October 1891, Page 490

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, September 29. The late muddy weather has made us vow vengeance against the absurd length of walking dresses of the present fashion, and made many wish they could stalk about in such a one as that lately seen in The Graphic, just ten inches from the ground. Perhaps this costume will come in with the ‘ Female Suffrage Bill,’ as it will be perfectly impossible to sit for hours in draggled skirts. We are truly a progressive race ! But adieu to politics and Parliament for some months. The members have said all the bitter things they had to say to one another, and returned to their homes' not so well paid as they would wish to be, and very dissatisfied with the Upper House for using the curb so freely. The Earl and Countess of Onslow have transferred their distinguished presence to us, and I hope our clerk of the weather will be gracious to them that they may enjoy their visit to this generally-considered most English of colonial towns. The lanes and country round about Christchurch for many miles in their summer beauty are worth driving through, and as I understand the Governor means to drive a four-in-hand here they will make some grand excursions. I told you of the very excellent performance for the parish of Merivale in my last. The gipsy concert for St. John’s, which came oft’ the same evening, was so successful it is to be repeated at, the Oddfellows’ Hall, the chorus being strengthened by friends. The dresses were most picturesque, while the performers’ faces were apparently stained, so that they were the correct colour. Many favouiite airs from the * Bohemian Girl’ were on the programme. At Opawa, on the same evening, Dr. Murray-Aynsley delivered a most instructive and interesting lecture on ‘ How to take care of Number One,’ with several tableaux of the use of St. John’s Ambulance Association in any sudden mishap. You know, Bee, there are sceptics now who are inclined to laugh at this most useful Association, but let them get a broken bone and have to be moved a distance, it will soon tell whether a little ambulance knowledge is good or not. The tableaux were interspersed with music—solos on the piano from Mis Wilding and Miss Talbot, and songs by Mrs H. Murray-Aynslev, Miss Fry, and Mr G. March. On the same day Nirs Cunningham had a most enjoyable evening at her house, Merivale, Captain Kidley, of the lonic, being among the guests. Prior to the departure of that tine steamer two luncheon parties were much enjoyed by friends of the genial Captain on board, and though the weather was decidedly cross-grained, nothing else was, and every disagreeable was forgotten in the kind hospitality of our host and his officers. Among those present were Mr and Mrs P. Cunningham and Miss Cunningham, Mrs Stead and her niece (Miss Palmer), Mr and Mrs Burns, Mr and Mrs Callender, Mr and Mrs K. D. Thomas, Mrs and Miss Graham, the Hon. E. W. Parker, Mr and Mrs Chynoweth, the Misses Aikman, and others. Captain Anderson was also present, and a most enjoyable time was spent, as after luncheon music and recitations passed the afternoon all too quickly. I am glad to tell you Mr J. T. Matson has sufficiently lecovered from his recent illness (a narrow escape of rheumatic fever) to go to the Hot Springs at the Hanmer Plains. He is accompanied by Mrs Matson, Mrs (Dr.) Thomas, Mr Hockley, and one or two other friends. I hope the genial air, companionship, etc., will soon restore him to his usual jollity. A very interesting wedding took place at St. Mark’s, Opawa—that of Miss Ethel Harley, eldest daughter of Mr E. T. Harley, Manager of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, to Mr J. D. Millton, of Birch Hill. The day was as miserable as it well could be—just that soft rain that makes everything so dirty, but the church and the bride looked lovely. Mrs A. M. Ollivier, with a number of willing assistants, are to be congratulated on the very effective decoration of the church. The altar was almost covered with a bank of white camellias, the vases being filled with the graceful snowflake and delicate Narcissi. The lectern was covered with white flowers, beginning with the heavy ones and fern fronds at the bottom, finishing with snowflakes. The altar rails and pulpit were alike beautifully decorated. The bride wore an exquisite dress of the richest ivory white duchesse satin, with high puffed sleeves, the long bodice having frills of embroidered chiffon, long full train, the front of the skirt edged with a pinked outtrill. A half wreath of orange blossoms and plain tulle veil, with magnificent bridal bouquet with long streamers, completed a most tasteful toilette. Her bridesmaids, six in number, made a pretty group, all attired in primrose-coloured Liberty silk. They were the Misses Nellie, Ella, and Pearl Harley, Miss Millton, Miss Banks, and Miss Delamain. The dresses were made with pleated bodices, full sleeves, and paniers. plain full skirts ; the tounger girls’skirts were tucked. They wore hats of Tuscan lace straw trimmed with folds of pi inn ose crepe <Ze thiue ami white ostrich ti[s. They carried lovely bouquets of primroses tied with long white streamers, and each wore a moonstone bangle, the gift of the bridegroom. Mrs Harley was handsomely dressed in a pale heliotiope bengaline silk trimmed with gold embroidered galon ; bonnet

of gold and heliotrope, and bouquet of yellow jonquils made a strikingly handsome costume; Mrs Banks (the bride's aunt) wore a charming dress of shot-grey silk with trimming of fine black lace and jet, black lace straw bonnet-with pink flowers, and posy bouquet of hyacinths ; Mrs Taylor (aunt of the bride), daik silk dress, three quarter cloak of white Limerick lace, black bonnet with heliotrope, and bouquet of primroses : Mrs W. V. Millton, an elegant dress ofa soft grey satin merveilleux trimmed with fine black lace, bonnet en suite, and a lovely bouquet of violets and snowflakes ; Miss Millton, peacock blue dress with toque to match. Mr E. B. Millton acted as best man, and Messrs F. and A. Millton and the three brothers of the bride as groomsmen. As the bridal pair left the church four little girls in white strewed their path to the gates with primroses. A very large number of guests were present, among whom were Mrs Peacock, in a dark ruby silk dress, with black silk and lace mantle, blaek bonnet with white flowers ; Mrs P. Cunningham, brown silk with fawn embroidered vest, ruby velvet bonnet; Mrs Stead, pretty tweed, with jacket to match, lace straw bonnet trimmed with fawn and beaver ; Miss Palmer, a very pretty costume of flowered foulard trimmed with lace, lace straw hat with vieux rose ostrich feather ; Mrs Rhodes, an exquisite silver-grey brocade, black and steel bonnet; Miss Rhodes, an electric blue, with brown vest bordered with fur and two rows round the skirt, tiny black and yellow bonnet; Mrs Townend, dark green cloth with embroidered vest, black bonnet with pink roses and foliage ; Mrs A. M. Ollivier, a fawn costume, lace straw bonnet with pale blue, and a lovely bouquet of pink camelias and sprays of forget-me-not ; Mrs Staveley, black merveilleux, with maize front veiled with beaded net, bonnet to match ; Mrs MurrayAynsley, black, with pink ostrich tips in her bonnet ; Mrs H. Murray-Aynsley, handsome black brocade, and cream hat; Mrs and Miss Cowlishaw, Mrs and Miss Tabart, Mrs and Miss Withnall, Mrs J. Anderson, Mrs F. Robinson, M<s Embling, Mrs Charles Clark, the Misses Newton, Mrs Winter, Miss Thomson, and several more. At the house a large marquee had been erected, and it was splendidly managed so as to seem just like another room. Here the bride and bridegroom, under a horseshoe of primroses, stood to receive the congratulations of the numerous guests. The bride’s travelling dress was a per-fectly-fitting blue-grey corduroy cloth, with vest of gold embroidery, hat to match with white ostrich feathers. They left for the South about four o’clock, and instead of a stinging shower of rice, soft sweet primroses. It was called a primrose wedding, and they certainly were in profusion. The table decorations were composed entirely of them, ferns, and soft silk. The presents were very handsome and choice, numbering about a hundred and fifty, but it would take too long to tell. Two days later a dance was given at Birch Hill in honour of the occasion. The wool shed was gaily decorated, and guests came from all the neighbouring stations. During theevening Miss Millton and her brothers, with several friends, joined the dancers, when the health of Mr and Mrs J. D. Millton was drunk with three cheers. Mr W. F. Warner, of the Commercial Hotel, and known, I suppose, throughout the length and breadth of New’ Zealand, was also married the same day as the marriage of Mr Millton to Miss Little, of Nelson. The ceremony took place at Avonside Chmch, the Rev. W. A. Pascoe officiating. It was a quiet wedding, the bride and biidegroom leaving that evening by the steamer for Wellington. Mrs W. B. Common had a pleasant little supper party that evening. The table looked most dainty with its decoration of pale green Liberty silk and spring flowers. Mr Rolland, Mis Wm. Black’s brother, sang several songs. Mrs Michael Campbell, Papanui, had a dance for young people the previous evening, which was a great success. The music was supplied by the lady guests, and there were no programmes, so it proved one of those old-fashioned, infonnal, thoroughly enjoyable affairs. The house was made a perfect bower with flowers, and Mrs Campbell, in a black lace dress, a most gracious hostess, ably assisted by her daughter in a cream gown. Mrs J. R. Campbell wore white with sprays of japonica ; Mrs F. Biittan, in yellow ; Mrs George Harper, black ; Miss I. Cowlishaw, white silk ; Miss Loughnan, blue ; Mrs H. Murray-Aynsley, black lace and crimson ; Miss L. Murray-Aynsley, black, with knots of yellow ribbon ; Miss Maude, black ; the Misses Helmore, one in cream, the other heliotrope ; Miss Palmer, cream ; Miss Hutton, black, with tan shoes. The annual athletic cross country steeplechase came off at Plumpton Park. It was a very cold day, and a long way from town, yet a goodly number of ladies were on the stand. It is astonishing, if our brothers, or cousins, or even friends are taking part, what we will not endure. Mrs Cunningham chaperoned a large party in a drag driven out by Mr Douglas Kimbell. You know the old saying, it is impossible to please everybody, but for once it is very near pleasing everybody when I speak of the appointment of Mr W. B. Perceval as AgentGeneial. Their departure will be agr»«* tnntmt. church.

Dolly Vale.