CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 11, 12 March 1892, Page 251

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, February 15. Mrs Philip Hamner, of Femlalton, gave a large gardenparty one afternoon. Among the invites were Mr and Mrs Michael Campbell; Miss Bessie Campbell, in a lovely gown of white crepe, pink and white striped yoke of same material ; Mrs Wilding looked very handsome in a dark green dress trimmed with rich old lace ; Mrs Hamer wore dark blue with white embroidery ; Mrs P. Hamner, in a grey spotted gown ; Mrs Banks had a tasteful dress of myrtle green silk, with black lace flounce around bodiee and skirt looped up with jet ; Mrs F. Miles was in white : Miss Willis in grey white braided gown, white and grey hat ; Mrs Wigram, in dark blue, white shirt and sailor hat; Mrs Forbes looked well in a handsome black silk, white flowers in bonnet. Others were Mr and Mrs Charlewood, Mr and Mrs George Hamner, Mr and Miss Clarke, Mr and Mrs Harrison, Mrs and Miss Gilman, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Neave, Mrs and Miss Gerard, the Misses Bowen, and the Misses Nedwill. Professor and Mrs Cook entertained a party of English friends to luncheon one day last week. Kowalski, the celebrated pianist, gave the musical public a treat last week at four excellent concerts. I’nfortunately however, Christchurch cannot support more than one good public amusement at a time. Walter Bentley continued to draw large houses, but 1 am afraid fond as people here profess to be of good music, the musical artists were not so well patronised. 1 like Kowalski best in his own music. His pupil, Miss Beatrice Grilliths, is also a brilliant pianiste. Miss Rossow's singing is always delightful in execution and refinement, and I think her voice has gained in mellowness of tone.

The theatre, as I have already said, has been full every night. I have seen Bentley as Claude Melnotte, and as John Mildmay, in * Still Waters Run Deep ’ and in Shakespeare. In all he is a finished actor, and makes the most of each part, but it is the general opinion that he is best in those fine pieces and stage situations in which his genius can have full play, rather than in mild, modern comedy roles, such as John Mildmay. Let me entreat you not to miss a chance of going to see him. We have never had a better actor on our shores, connoisseurs say. The company, too, is a strong one on the whole, so you will be altogether pleased. Dear Bee, February 23. I feel almost too heart-broken to write to you to-day. Bentley has gone. He gave a farewell performance of ‘ David Garrick ’ and * The Taming of the Shrew, and made us quite a touching little speech at the end. The only thing that will console us for his loss is the knowledge that we shall probably have him with us again next year, but with a different company. One thing is certain, if we had had him here much longer we should all have become bankrupt, for no one who bad once heard him could resist going to the theatre again and again. Indeed, I know of some people who went to see him in every piece that was put on the stage. His Shakespearian renderings, particularly that of ‘ Hamlet,’ are very line ; but I confess to an uneducated liking for the lighter dramas myself, and Bentley pleases me most in * Money ’ and ‘ David Garrick. ’ The former play was undoubtedly the most enjoyable of any given by this talented company. Miss Hansen, the leading lady, acts gracefully and naturally. Do notice some of her gowns ; they are models of elegance. Apropos-, I cannot resist mentioning Miss Deorwyn’s dress in * The Taming of the Shrew.’ It is of handsome red brocade, fitting closely, and with a long train ; bodice cut square in front ; high sleeves, with a tiny cape of satin over each shoulder. On her head she wore a dainty toque to match, turned up becomingly on one side with feathers, it would make a splendid fancy dress for a dark girl. While I am telling you about public amusements, I should like to describe a ballad concert given by Mr Weir. There was a large audience, chiefly of ladies however, as men iind it difficult to get away from work for matinee performances. The lady vocalists were Miss Ada Taylor, Miss Fairhurst, Miss Bonnington, and Miss Bell, and Mrs Wilson. The latter lady, as you know, has a full, rich contralto voice, and sang very effectively. Misslayloris a finished artist, and the remaining three ladies have each very pleasant soprano voices. Mr Weir was at his best. He possesses a light tenor of good quality, and sings with infinite taste and sweetness. Mr Millar, also in capital voice, Mr Hugh Reeves, Mrs Edgar, and Mr Lund were the other performers. Among the listeners I noticed Mrs Russell, Mrs Gard’ner, Mrs Bell, Mrs G. Roberts, Mrs Stringer, Miss Rollands, (Sydney), Mrs and Miss Meares, Mrs Louisson, Miss M. Tabart, Miss Thomson, Mrs Ollivier, and Mrs Graham. When the Lake Forsyth Annual Regatta was held the day was beautifully line, and a public holiday, so thousands of people flocked out of town. There were several picnic parties organised to Lake Forsyth. Mrs Cunningham had a party there. I also heard of one given by Messrs Newman and Day. One evening Miss Spenseley gave a river picnic. Another was given by Mr Alpers, of which the chief feature was some real punting. I hear a pouring rain surprised this and other river parties during the evening. You see I cannot write you a letter without mentioning the weather, our summer has been too disappointing.

Mrs Leonard Harper gave a ladies’ luncheon, at which Mrs Cook, Mrs Westmacott, and Mrs Forbes were some of the guests. Mr Harper is already en route again for New Zealand, having taken his return passage with Mr .1. Gould. In the afternoon Mrs Clark, of Colombo Road, gave another very enjoyable garden party. She has lovely lawns, and besides tennis, one can enjoy punting up and down the pretty little Heathcote which Hows through the grounds. I cannot tell you of many new gowns, it is too late in the season, but the following are the names of some of the guests. Mrs Howard, Miss Bullock, Mrs and the Misses Cowlishaw, Mrs and the Misses Wynn-Williams, Mrs Robison, and her daughter, Mrs Campbell, Miss Helmore, Mrs Parberry, Mrs A. Wilson, Mrs and Miss Lily Kimbell, Mrs and the Misses Rhodes, Mrs and Miss Greenwood, the latter of whom we are glad to see looking very well after her recent trip to Napier ; Mr and Miss Michell Clark, Messrs Hall, Mathias, Rolleston, Fenwick, Harman, Harris, etc. In the evening there was a musical ‘ at home ’ at ‘ Tilford.’ Mrs and Miss Loughnan were exceedingly attentive to their numerous guests, all of whom passed a pleasant evening. Miss Beatrice Loughnan sang very well to her guitar accompaniment : Miss Burns played some brilliant piano solos. Mrs Burns was present, and disappointed us all very much by not singing. Mr Izaid, as usual, charmed everyone with his sympathetic rendering of ballads. Mrs Cook, of Cranmer Square, entertained about fifty little children from 3 to 7 p.m. Mrs Bullock, of ‘ Ferndale,’ Avonside, is giving a large ‘at home ’at her residence. Dancing is to be the programme, and I hear nearly one hundred guests are invited. Preparations for the ladies’ concert are in full swing. It is to come off before this reaches you, ami all the performers are busy with rehearsalsand ticket selling. Tickets are going rapidly, they say. The last direct boat homeward bound took Mr and Mrs Clifford, and Mr W. Cowlishaw ; and Messrs W. and .1. Edwards are once more among us. I shall have pleasant news to tell you next week—thatot two weddings. Till then adieu.

Dolly Vale.