CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 50, 12 December 1891, Page 683

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, November 26. How flat and stale everything seems after our festival week ! the races, balls, and garden parties are only pleasant memories now, and most of the visitors have returned to their homes. It does not seem possible to have a week without rain, during Show week, at any rate, for the weather is as contrary as it is possible to be always. The day of Mrs Cowlishaw’s garden party was a miserable specimen, and of all the guests invited, about ninety put in an appearance. It had to be turned into a musical afternoon, and a most enjoyable one it was. The weather cleared very much about four o’clook, but the garden was too damp for strolling about.

The Governor and Lady Onslow attended a performance of • Pinafore ’ by our Amateur Opera Company in the evening. The Oddfellows’ Hall was filled in every part with a fashionable audience, but cloaks were indispensable with the ladies, it was so cold. The opera seemed a little wanting in ‘ go.’ I suppose the cramped stage had something to do with that. Mrs Edgar, as Josephine, was as charming as ever, especially in the second act, when she wears her cream satin bridal robe. Little Buttercup (Miss Buchanan) and Captain Corcoran (Mr Maitland Gard’ner) were excellent in the duet.

The next morning broke dull and threatening, but in spite of a few showers a large number found their way out to Riccarton, and though the stand was not so full as ‘ Cup Day,’ an unusually large gathering of ladies was to be seen. The dresses were not so delicately pretty, the gloomy morning necessitating dark colours, but some handsome ones were worn. The Governor and Lady Onslow drove up just before the second race, after which, at the invitation of Mr Stead, they and a number of others adjourned for luncheon. Florrie’s win of the Derby, the race of the day, was a very popular one, and she certainly did look a pretty creature when led on to the lawn to be decorated by Lady Onslow with the broad ‘ blue ribbon. ’ The Countess wore a very pretty dress of electric blue with embroidered vest of white, blue, and gold, a bonnet of gold lace and yellow flowers ; Mrs Stevens, a dark grey corduroy velvet, with white cuffs braided with black ; Mrs Wilder, a very pretty grey dress with embroidered front: Mrs Parker, long crimson cloak ; Mrs Alan Scott, grey dress with large brown check, hat with white feathers ; Mrs Banks, brown cashmere and velvet ; Mrs Heaton Rhodes, grey dress and sealskin jacket ; Mrs George Rhodes, light fawn-coloured dress; Mrs G. Rhodes (Timaru), grey dress ; Miss Rhodes, grey with large spots; Miss E. Rhodes, blue and grey striped dress ; Mrs Henry McKenzie, Stuart tartan dress ; Mrs Burns, grey with dark green stripes ; Mrs Stead, grey, with blue front and gold embroidery ; Miss Palmer, a pretty pink floral delaine ; Mrs Willock, brown ; Miss Willis, grey, the jacket piped with white. The second ball at Government House was given that evening and was greatly enjoyed by those fortunate enough to be present, and will long be remembered as a red letter evening in Christchurch. The dance of the evening was a cotillon led by the Earl and Countess, assisted by Mrs Alan Scott and Captain Guthrie. Some new figures never danced here before were gone through, one of the prettiest being the six-in-hand, Lady Onslow guiding the men. Lord Onslow the girls, each holding coloured ribbons with tinkling bells. At the end each one had a present—a small ornament, scent bottle, fan, flower or something. Supper was served on a number of small tables, different ladies being told off as hostesses, and arranging their own parties. The Countess wore white silk covered with gauze of the palest primrose, and blue velvet bows of a very soft shade, a Countess’ coronet of diamonds, and magnificent diamond ornaments, and carried a bouquet of choice flowers. Lady Hall was in silver grey ; Mrs Wilder, a strikingly pretty dress of white satin covered with black lace ; Mrs Stevens, pale lavender dress, and lovely sprays of roses ; Mrs Alan Scott, Mrs Stead, and Mrs Boyle all wore black ; Mrs G. Rhodes (Timaru), pink silk of the palest shade with blush roses; Mrs Anson, rich black velvet with flounce and trimming of white lace ; Mrs Mason, white satin draped with pale eau-de-nil tulle and bronze ribbons; Mrs Lomax Smith, black; Mrs Julian Scott, blue silk ; Mrs Campbell, dark green silk; Mrs George Rhodes, white satin with gold trimming; Miss Rhodes, Miss Palmer, Miss Campbell, Miss Moorhouse, all wore white ; the Misses Williams (Wellington), pale pink brocaded silk ; Miss Studholme, white silk ; Lady Hall, Mrs Stevens, Mrs Cowlishaw, Misses Banks, Harper, Bowen, Murray-Aynsley. At the Tuam-street Hall a very different festivity was proceeding—the Rolleston banquet. That also was graced by a large number of ladies in the gallery, who listened for hours to speeches and watched champagne flowing below, and meekly took a half cold cup of tea. The following day was fine again. Lord Onslow drove a small party out to Lansdowne in his four-in-hand for a picnic. It is a very favourite resort, and just now is looking its best.

Mrs Palmer gave a large garden paity at Woodford. The Bumham Band was stationed on the lawn, and refreshments in a marquee close by. There were delicious ices and strawberries and cream. The little bandsmen played very nicely through the afternoon. Mrs Palmer wore a dark brown silk with train, handsome beaded cloak, and black bonnet; Miss Olive Palmer was in white ; Mrs Lee, a floral delaine, and black bonnet ; Mrs Wardrop, dress also of delaine, and white hat. Among the guests were Mrs J. D. Millton (Birch Hill), fawn silk with thick laee, hat with pink flowers; Mrs Harley, heliotrope silk; Mrs Stead, fawn-coloured silk ; her niece (Miss Palmer), white, with grey three-quarter cloak ; Mrs George Rhodes, dress of bluish-grey with pretty lace trimming ; Mrs Smithson (Timaru), grey dress trimmed with black lace ; Mrs Flavell, black ; Mrs Bowden, blue grey dress ; Mrs Lance, sapphire blue velvet; Mrs Otterson, Mrs Edward Lee (Southbridge), Mr and Mrs Leslie Lee, Mr and Mrs Worthy, Mr and Mrs Neave, Mr and Mrs Harper, Mrs Westmacott, Mrs Rolleston, Mrs Cox, Mrs Blakiston, Mrs Tabart, Mrs Macdonald, Mrs Ollivier, Mrs F. H. Brittain, Mrs Acton Adams, and the Misses Helmore, Cowlishaw, Gray, Beswick, Hennah, Moorhouse, Tabart, and many others. In the evening the Jockey Club ball was held in the old Provincial Council Chambers, the loveliest room imaginable for a ball, and what would we not give were it only half as large again ! The decorations were perfect, the galleries being screened with evergreens, and large floral horseshoes of beautiful roses showing up with good effect. One little room was a perfect bower, the lights being shaded with a lovely tint and masses of cream roses, no other colour. Light refreshments were served here on small tables, while the supper was of the most recherche kind. Mr Wanklyn and his assistants deserve great credit for the splendid success of this ball, as it really eclipsed previous efforts of the C.J.C. Lord and Lady Onslow opened the ball, the Governor dancing with Mrs Parker, the Hon. E. W. Parker and the Countess being cis The Countess wore a handsome dress of smoke coloured satin, tiara of diamonds, and lovely diamond ornaments, and carried a bouquet of mountain lilies specially brought from Mount Cook by Messrs Dixon and Harper, I believe ; they aje such beautiful waxen flowers. Mrs Parker wore a handsome dress of cream and green. The other ladies of the set were Mrs Cunningham, in a lovely dress of pale blue brocade ; Mrs Stead, a handsome black gown ; Mrs Alan Scott, a magnificent dress of pearl grey satin with cuirass bodice of steel and pink pearl embroidery ; Mrs Rhind, also in grey with passementerie trimming of Virginia creeper, the shades being lovely ; Mrs Rolleston and Mrs Lance, both in black ; Mrs Dalgety wore a very handsome dress of green and pink silk ; Mrs G. Roberts, very rich cream brocade and pearl embroidery; Mrs W. D. Meares, a beautiful tint of brown silk and net relieved with a little colour ; Mrs Common, vieux rose moire with train, and trimmed with point lace ; Mrs G. Rhodes (Timaru), pale pink silk ; Mrs Heaton Rhodes, white, with lovely brocade train ; Miss Rhodes, grey satin ; Mrs F. Graham, black ; Miss Graham, white ; Miss Way, pink ; Mrs Beaumont, very handsome brown satin ; Mrs Andrew Anderson, Sale blue satin ; Mrs J. Anderson, also pale blue; Mies latson, cream, with gold girdle and trimmings ; Miss A. Matson, pale blue; Miss Stephenson (Dunedin), pale blue satin with silver fringe round the bodice (a lovely dress); Miss A. Brett (Auckland), pale blue merveilleux with gold spray on the bodice and diamond pins ; Miss Frankish, black; Miss Blakiston, Miss Cunningham, and Miss B. Cunningham all wore white ; Mrs Cowlishaw, black ; Mrs Rhodes, a handsome black'dress ; JMrs J. D. Millton (Birch Hill), white satin, her bridal dress ; Miss Williams (Wellington), cream ; Miss Mabel Gould, pink ; Miss Cowlishaw, white; Miss Gladys Powell, a debutante, looked very pretty in her simple white dress; Miss Kinsey, crushed strawberry silk ; Miss E. Tabart, pink ; Miss M. Tabart, black ; Miss Ethel Turner, pale blue : Lady Hall, grey silk and white lace ; Mrs O’Herson, white silk ; Mrs Prins, reddish-brown silk, pale blue revers and vest; Mrs J. Barker looked well in white silk and shrimp-pink velvet ribbons ; Mrs Pitman, handsome white and pink brocaded satin’; Mrs H. Buchanan, sweet dress of mauve, with violet ribbon and pansies; Mrs L. Harper, dark red satin ; Miss E. Helmore, peculiar shade grey satin, beaded net; Mrs Dampier (Crossley), black and gold ; Miss M. Gore (Wellington), pretty white silk ; Miss G. Cowlishaw, Miss Harris,and Miss D.‘Roberts [debutantes) all wore pretty white frocks ; Miss Allen (Timaru), pink silk; Miss L. Lean, black and gold cord trimming. Amongst others I noticed Mrs Lance, Mrs Wilson, Mrs R. Wilson (Culverden), Mrs Stead, Mrs Mason, Mrs Willock, Miss Clarke, Miss Studholme (Waimate), the Misses Courage (Amberley), Miss Grey, Mrs Anson, Miss Gerard, Miss Willis, Miss M. Gould, Miss L. Studholme, Miss Moorhouse, MissF. Wynn-Williams, Mrs Fenwick (Napier), Miss Black, Miss Hutton, Miss Grigg, Miss Hall, Miss M. Sanders, Mrs Burns, Miss Ronalds, Miss Cox, Miss Reynolds (Dunedin), Mrs Bruges, Mies Potts, Miss Todhunter, Miss Banks, Miss Greenwood, Miss Meeson, Miss Millton, Miss Graham, Miss Hewlings, etc. ; but out of so many lovely dresses, and with such a crush, it is impossible to describe all. The music was of Fleming’s best, and that leaves nothing to be desired.

Thursday was also the first day of the Show, when those interested visit it to reallv see the things on view, the next day being what is called the ‘ people’s day.’ We were favoured with a perfect day this year, and it is said 21,000 people visited the ground. One of the events of the day was the arrival of the Governor driving his four in-hand, a beautiful team of bays, which he handles to perfection. Seated on the box beside him was the Countess, smiling and gracious as ever. The Hon. E. W. and Mrs Parker were also of the party, Mr Walrond, Captain Guthrie, and some of the officers of the warships. The Countess wore a pale blue silk with floral design, and blue floral bonnet ; Mrs Parker, grey dress with gold braid, black three-quarter cloak and grey hat. The committee of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association invited His Excellency and a number of friends to luncheon, which I am told was a most iefiresentative gathering, visitors being present from Auckand to Invercargill. The jumping was the feature of the afternoon, one lady taking part in the wire fence contest. I hope the Association will be able to build a stand before next year's show, the small one at present on the ground being almost useless to accommodate the multitude. For the final day of the races we had a very showery morning, but it cleared up in the afternoon, The attendance for a third day was a very large one. The Governor, Lady Onslow and party again drove out, the Hon. Mrs

Parker accompany ini; the Countess. Lady Onslow wore a light fawn coloured cloth trimmed with gold, velvet bonnet with gold wings. That grand old horse, Maxim, was brought on to the lawn during the afternoon, and he seemed fully conscious of the admiration bestowed upon him. He has been sold to an American.

Most of our visitors made their adieux that evening, the train and steamers being crowded, and so ends our carnival week of 1891, which may be counted more successful than usual.

Dolly Vale.