CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 18, 30 April 1892, Page 452

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, April 19. The Easter holidays usually so pleasant, as we generally get such perfect weather, were rather spoiled this year. Rain commenced on Thursday night, and lasted off and on all Friday, trying to clear a little in the morning, which tempted a few people out. The Wesleyan choir held their annual picnic across the harbour from Lyttelton, but it was anything but picnic weather. The Rev. W. Morley preached his farewell sermon on Sunday evening in the Durham-street Wesleyan Church to a large congregation. Mr Morley has spent about a dozen years at different periods ministering to the wants of the Canterbury people, and has made many fast friends. The usages of their church makes the break less severely felt, as they look for a move every few years, and as he goes to take up a very important position—that of Principal of the Wesleyan College, Auckland—his congregation, though regretting his departure, can only wish him success in his new sphere of life. A very interesting gathering took place in the schoolroom attached to the church on the previous afternoon. A number of their friends met by invitation to celebrate Mr and Mrs Morley’s silver wedding, when a host of congratulatory letters and telegrams were received besides, from former members of Mr Morley’s congregations throughout the colony. A short service was held, conducted by the Rev. G. Bond, President of the New Zealand Conference, the Rev. W. J. Parsonson and Mr J. Broughton taking part. Afternoon tea was then served, and some musical selections given by friends. A very pleasing part of the ceremony were two presentations, one from his brother ministers—a handsome cedar writing table and desk bearing a silver plate inscribed, ‘ Presented to the Rev. W. Morley on the celebration of his silver wedding, by his brother ministers in Canterbury, April, 1892.’ The Rev. W. Baumber, in a few well-chosen words, begged his acceptance of this, and Mr E. C. Brown, on behalf of those present and a few absent friends, handed Mr Morley a silver salver full of silver coins. This was a joint gift to Mr and Mrs Morley, and bore an inscription to that effect. THE CHURCHES. The churches this Easter-tide have been unusually pretty in their decorations, the season falling late enough to benefit by having a good supply of the queen of autumn flowers, the chrysanthemum, which with the scarlet geranium, single and cactus dahlias, the latter being very brilliant and lasting, made a most effective display. All the city churches had elaborate choral services, that at the Cathedral being beautifully sung. On Good Friday evening Stainer’s ‘ Crucifixion ’ was given in the Cathedral by the choir, when standing room could not be found by all who wished to hear it. The solos were taken by Messrs Weir and Millar, both singing their best, the chorus being most effectively rendered by the choir. The collections in all the churches on Good Friday, at the request of Bishop Julius, were for St. Mary’s Home, of which institution he is a very warm supporter, ably seconded by Mrs Julius. The Canterbury Jockey Club were favoured with Queen’s weather for their autumn meeting, bright and crisp, making everyone say ‘ just the thing.’ Trains were well filled, and the road a busy scene for an hour or two before the hour for the first race. Everything was so fresh after the recent rain, and no dust to mar one’s pleasure driving along the pretty road to the race course, now made beautiful by the autumnal tints of the plantations. The flags on the stand were all at half mast in memory of the late Mr T. Acland, who took a prominent pai t in so many meetings there. There was an unusually large attendance for this time of year, especially of ladies who, tempted by the lovely weather, had a good opportunity of displaying their winter costumes. Rich dark materials and fur trimmings used with taste made many well-dressed women. The Hon. Mrs Parker wore a stylish gown of rough dark brown tweed faced and piped with yellow, hat of brown and yellow ; Mrs Stead, a pretty dress of two shades of fawn in diagonal tweed ; Mrs Burns, dark green cloth trimmed with beaver, black and green bonnet ; Mrs Ranald Macdonald, red dress with black’.’spots, black and red bonnet; Mrs Pym, pretty grey tweed, vest of white brocaded silk, black hat with white trimming; Miss Greenwood, dark brown cloth with rows of velvet on the skirt, brown hat; Miss F. Greenwood, a tan-coloured dress; Miss Neil (Dunedin), a striking dress of dark led and olive green silk braided with red, green hat with green and crimson feathers ; Mrs W. B. Common, bluish grey dress trimmed with fur, handsome vest of corduroy or thick embroidery of fawn colour, bonnet to match ; Mrs P. Cunningham wore dark red ; her daughtor, red dress with jet trimming, handsome feather boa; Mrs Boyle,stylish gown of green cloth with sable trimming; the Misses Wynn-Williams, grey with black hats ; the Misses Maude looked very nice in well-fitting gowns of dark grey tweed ; Mrs Rhodes, as usual was handsomely gowned in black ; Miss E. Rhodes, a very pretty dress of brown cloth, fur-trimmed, brown felt hat with white ostrich tips ; Mrs Stevens, a handsome dress of silk and velvet of deep heliotrope, bonnet to match ; Mrs Otterson, a dove coloured corduroy, bonnet en suite, handsome boa ; Miss Gould, light fawn dress, feather boa of the same shade; Mrs Mason, electric blue with gold embroidery, hat with long ostrich feather, and black feather boa ; Miss N. Reeves, navy blue serge, navy hat with bows ; Miss Hutton, a pretty frock of brown and cream ; Mrs Alan Scott, dark blue serge with silk trimming stiiped with grey, black hat with grey and jet; Mrs Lance, brown tweed, cloak to match trimmed with pretty silvery fur ; Mrs Cowlishaw, handsome costume of black cashmeie and velvet; Miss Cowlishaw, navy blue cloth with shot silk vest; Mrs Cook, brown tweed dress with white silk vest, brown and white bonnet ; Miss E. Tabart, black serge with white spotted vest, feather toque ; Miss Campbell, light grey cloth trimmed with astracban, large felt hat; Miss Murray-Aynsley, dark red with astracban border ; Miss Lance, a dark tweed with red vest and cuffs, jacket edged with fur, black hat with white tips ; Miss Studholme in blue serge ; Mrs Brittan, rough dark tweed with red vest, black bonnet with scarlet velvet trimming; Miss Ronalds, in grey, three-quarter cloak the same lined with red ; Mrs Willock, dark brown tweed ; Mrs Wilder, a grey dress with lace vest ; Miss Evelyn Harman, a navy blue serge costume; Mrs R. Wilson, a dark grey dress embroidered with black, black bonnet; Mrs Pitman, a beautifully-made gown of dark smoke-colour and black plaid trimmed with a little black embroidery ; Miss Palmer, a pale fawn dress, vest of a lighter shade ; Mrs Maxwell, a dark purple and

brown-striped dress, vest embroidered with silver ; Mrs G. Roberts, smoke - coloured cashmere with rich brocade front, and long sealskin jacket: Miss Kimbell, dark blue serge, straw hat to match with deep crimson wing. This is not by any means all the handsome dresses that were worn, bnt there was a richness about the costumes this autumn I have not noticed before. The materials are so handsome, and the embroideries in gold, silver or even in rich silk add so much to the style of the present day gown. girls’ boating club. It is always gratifying to find kindness appreciated, and lam pleased to say the Girls’ Boating Club were not unmindful of the many little attentions of Mr and Mrs Worthy in their behalf, by inviting them to afternoon tea up the river on Wednesday, also Mr and Mrs Harrison, when a very pleasant time was spent.

Dolly Vale