CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XII, Issue IX, 3 March 1894, Page 211

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee. February 20. You will have heard long ere this of the sad defeat of the New Zealand cricketers, so I will say nothing of the game. The weather on all three days w as perfect, enticing a great number of spectators to the park. DRESSES AT CHICKET. It would be impossible for me to enumerate all the pretty dresses, but among the most noticeable were:—A dainty aress of white spotted muslin lined with heliotrope, belt and bows of the same colour, worn by Mrs G. Lee on the first day ; the same lady appeared on the third day in an exceedingly pretty dress of shell pink erdpon with green ribbon binas covered with lace insertion ; Miss R. Tabart, black crOpon. jei trimmings, with yoke of plum-coloured silk; Miss Davie, a striking costume of cobault blue, trimmed with silk of a paler shade, black hat with large butterfly bow of blue; Miss Harley, pretty lemon-coloured dress with lace epaulettes, hat with cream feathers: Miss Gray, black crOpon with bodice of green shot silk, tiny flounces of the same edged with narrow white lace; Mrs J. Lee. art green crOpon, yoke and cuffs of pink silk, floral hat: Mrs R. Macdonald, pretty fawn gown with brown velvet bands, bonnet en suite ; Mrs Bruges, dove-coloured costume with heliotrope bands, hat with large bows and feather of the same colour. Wednesday, Mrs Rhind had A MUSICAL AFTERNOON for a few of her friends to meet Mrs Clark, who is on a visit to Christchurch, where she intends staying for some time, and I believe giving singing lessons. Mrs Clark has a very sweet voice, and we much enjoyed her songs. Mrs Burns also sang. Most of the guests sat in the hall, which was nicely arranged. Very delicious afternoon tea was served round, accompanied with cakes and sweets of every description. Among the guests were Mesdames Wilding, Buller, Stead, Black, Common, Cunningham. Wallace. Burns, Gibbs, Wynn-Williams, Tabart. and Misses Tabart (two). The same afternoon Mr and Mrs Pat Laurie gave a small river picnic down the river, which w r as much enjoyed by the young people, although the evening was far from p easant, a cold wind blowing from the south. The Misses Allen (two). Cuff, Webb, and Messrs Laurie, Orbell, Wilson, ere., were present. Mrs Gibbs gave one of her enjoyable afternoons last Thursday —tennis, tea, and music. The tennis lawn is simply perfect this year, and some very good games were played. The surroundings are so pretty, and such a sweet place for afternoon tea ; in fact, everything is done to make one feel thoroughly ‘at home.’ Miss Baynton, one of the guests, added to the amusement by a very clever whistling performance. A pleasant little evening was spent AT WARNER’S HOTEL on Tuesday evening last, when the employees of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile met to testify to Mr Staveley their appreciation of him, ai d also their regret at his leaving the service of the Company. Mr E. S. Harley presided, and a presentation was made to Mr and Mrs Staveley. The one to Mr Staveley comprised a very handsome gold Albert chain, and that to Mrs Staveley a silver soup tureen and entree dishes suitably engraved. The concert given by the New South Wales cricketers took place last Thursday night in the Oddfellows’ Hall, and was fairly well attended, though hardly as well as its object or the programme submitted deserved. r lhe visitors received a hearty recep ion. and nearly every item was encored. Messrs S. VV. Austin and W. Leech contributed pianoforte selections, and songs were sung by Miss A. Leech, Messrs A. Noble, F. Woodhouse. A. Millar, D. Cowley. A. C. McKenzie. S. Walford, and J. Mannic, those by the two latter gentlemen being of a comic character.

Dolly Vale.