CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 48, 28 November 1891, Page 634

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, • November 14. Lady Onslow’s garden party was one of the pleasantest things of its kind I have been to. The gracious and sweet manner of the Countess’s reception of her guests, combined with the Governor’s geniality—for both welcomed one and all as if old friends—put people at their ease at once, and out of the three or four hundred present all one’s acquaintances seemed to be there. The Countess wore a cream silk gown with bonnet to match, and carried a lovely bouquet of roses, presented by Mrs E. C. J. Stevens, whose garden is famed for its roses. A large marquee was erected on the lawn nearest the house, where tea and coffee and other light refreshments were served. The day was very fine, but a cold wind blew late in the afternoon, and the guests began to disperse about five. The little Ladies Gwendoline and Dorothy were present in exquisitely embroidered white muslin frocks, with grey coats and hats. Theie were many pretty and tasteful costumes worn, and some very handsome ones. Mrs G. Roberts looked extremely well in a lovely grey with gold embroidery, bonnet to match ; Mrs Acton Adams, in grey with wide stripes ; Mrs Julius, myrtle green silk with cream vest of embroidery, bonnet to match ; the Hon. Mrs Parker, grey dress with gold cord, black three-quarter cloak and grey hat; Mrs R. Wilson, pale fawn with rich embroidery ; Mrs Leonard Harper, black costume ; Mrs J. Gibbs, blue spotted washing silk trimmed with white lace, black and gold bonnet ; Mrs (Dr.) Jennings, in French grey corduroy, Newmarket jacket, shady grey lace straw hat with white ostrich tips (a strikingly pretty costume) ; Mrs Chynowetb, grey blue and fawn tweed with large invisible check, fawn bonnet with pale blue feathers; Mrs Hargreaves, black silk, with lace mantle, black and gold bonnet; Mrs R. D. Thomas, fawn and brown tweed, small bonnet to match ; Miss Queenie Campbell, blue flowered delaine with blue silk yoke, blue flowersin her bonnet; Miss Cunningham, cream delaine with blue flowers, and cornflower blue three-quarter cloak, large shady hat; Miss E. Helmore, a pretty grey dress, three-quarter cloak, and shady hat with tips en suite. Mrs Greenwood, navy blue silk. I could go on describing many more who looked equally well—-Mrs Cunningham, Mrs (Dr.) Townend, Mrs Common, Mrs Weymouth, and many more, while there were some equally fantastic, not to say ugly, costumes worn. The gentlemen for the most part wore a frock coat and tall hat. Some were in grey with corresponding tall hat, many not disguised at all, and some a mixture of the two first-mentioned styles with a not very pleasing effect, and all with a button-hole. Mrs G. Roberts had a large party of friends to afternoon tea. Mrs Neville Barnett (Sydney), Mrs Appleby, Mrs C. Cook, Mrs (Dr.) Thomas, Mrs W. Wilson, Mrs Batbam, Mrs Mallion, Mrs Kinsey, Mrs (Dr.) Jennings, and Miss Hardy Johnston were some of the guests. Tea was served in the dining-room, and on a hot day is a pleasant arrangement, as the drawing-room gets cool and all the hot tea is left behind. Pleasant chat and music soon brought the afternoon to a close. But I must tell you how lovely the tea-table looked with its centre piece of brown plush bordered with white Persian lilac, with a few rather tall vases of the same down the centre, and with the pretty cakes and china looked exquisite. Miss Greenwood had a girls’ tea the same afternoon, which was much enjoyed. Miss A. Greenwood sang ‘Goodnight.’ Her sister also gave a song, and Miss E. Turner, Miss Hutton, Miss Meeson, and Miss Reynolds (Dunedin). Miss Campbell sang a song, accompanying herself on the guitar. Miss Gladys Wilson and Miss Meeson, recited amusing pieces. Among those present were, the Misses Rhodes, Tabart, Wynn-Williams, Lean, Palmer, Mein, Maude, Bullock, and Cowlisbaw. There were such delicious sweets with the tea.

It was also Labour Demonstration Day, which commenced with the usual procession, but did not seem so successful as last year, not so many taking part. It wended its way eventually to Lancaster I’ark, where sports were held, and fairly well attended ; but our two seaside resorts always attract a very large number on every holiday. In the evening a social was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, but again interests were divided. Bland Holt's last piece was on, and many were eager to see such a good thing. The Hagley Park tennis courts were opened on a perfect day, and all the courts were kept going, the grass being in splendid condition, and very green at present. The ladies pretty bright blouses made a charming picture. The Misses Harman and Lean had a very daintily-laid-out tea in the pavilion. I saw there Mrs Walter Allivier, in a grey flowered cotton trimmed with thick white lace; Mrs Withnall, in black, with handsome mantle ; Miss Withnall, in a pretty grey three-quarter cloak ; Mrs McKenzie Gibson, Mrs George Harris, Mrs W. Willock, the Misses Greenwood, Meeson, E. Turner, Reynolds (Dunedin), Tutton, Lingard, Delamain, and several others, though there was not so large a gathering as usual. This was also a very great day with the Salvation Army, the arrival of General Booth having been looked for for so many weeks. The welcome was most hearty, and plenty of it, lasting all day, and the poor old man looked quite exhausted until he began to speak, when he warmed to his subject. In the evening Mr and Mrs Stead gave a fancy dress ball for children from six to nine, then a dance for their older young friends. The house was made beautiful with floral decorations from top to bottom, lilac and fleur-de-lis being in abundance. Refreshments for the little ones were laid downstairs, and a most recherche supper for the elders in the dining-room. Two rooms and the hall were used for dancing, the folding doors being such an excellent arrangement for a thing of this kind. Among the fancy dresses somelittle mites looked verysweet. Mrs Stead’s littlegill was Dresden China, in pale blue and white ; her brotheis, Robin Hood and his Merry Men in the correct Lincoln green ; Mrs Burns’ two little girls as Faiiy and Butterfly ; Master Bruges, Gentleman of the Nineteenth Century, in the most miniature

dress clothes ever made, I should think; Miss Julius, Sleeping Beauty, in the dress she wore in the play of that name at Mrs Humphreys’ ball ; little Miss Matson most successfully dis[>orted as the Daughter of the Regiment. There were gipsies, peasants, kings and courtiers, etc., etc., in endless variety, and the game of * Luby Light ’ had quite as many devotees as the dancing. About ten o’clock the elders took the floor, and some very pietty dresses were worn. Mrs Stead had a very handsome white silk with pearl embroidered front; her uiece, Miss Palmer, black, with rich white sash hand painted ; Miss Cunningham, pale heliotrope ; Miss B. Cunningham, a debutante, lovely white dress with lilies of the valley ; Miss Delamain, black, with pink feathers; Miss F. Greenwood, white, with gold girdle ; Miss R. Tabart, black, with jet trimming ; Miss E. Tabart, grey, with pink roses; Miss Campbell, cream striped gauze and lace ; Miss Hennah, white flowered silk ; Miss Helmore, fawn, with bands of velvet of darker shade ; Miss M. Tanner, pink ; Miss B. Tanner, white ; the Misses Wynn-Williams, soft white silk; the Misses MurrayAynsley, the Misses Cowlishaw, and Miss Black all wore white ; Miss Graham and Miss McCulloch, black. Fleming's music was, as usual, delicious to dance to.

General Booth held a large invitation meeting in the Oddfellows’ Hall, only a few of the officers of the Army being present, when he talked about his scheme, which he is very enthusiastic about, and seems to have a longing for New Zealand, but I don’t think we have such a longing for his people. At the polo match a good many were present, and Mrs Palmer gave a delicious tea. The Governor was there for a short time. I also saw Mrs G. Lee, Mrs Stead, Miss Palmer, Mrs and Miss Kimbell, the Misses Rhodes, Aynsley, Helmore, Delamain, Tabart, and others. By the Kaikoura we lost our energetic stage manager, Mr E. W. Seager, for a time, he having gone to England on a short visit. He will be greatly missed should there be any private theatricals or anything of the kind during his absence.

Dolly Vale.