CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue XVIII, 3 November 1894, Page 426

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dbar Bee, October 25. We are simply RESTING ON OUR OARS almost with bated breath waiting for the great joys of the Carnival week so close at hand now. We are to be favoured with Vice-Royalty again, and that adds a special charm to our festival. I hear Mr John Studholme, Merivale, has placed his house at their disposal for a fortnight, so probably that will be their residence, as it is only to be for a short time. They attend the Christchurch Jockey Club’s ball, and with their usual good nature no doubt anything else they are invited to. A ladies’ night at the Liedertafel is to take place during race week, and with the lovely weather we are getting now it cannot help but suggest to those with gardens that a garden party is a most desirable form of entertaining. On Thursday evening the ANNUAL FESTIVAL GATHERING AT ST. LUKE’S took place. The schoolroom was filled to overflowing with an appreciative audience. The first part of the evening’s amusement was an address by the Bishop, songs by Misses L. Wood, Davie, and C. Lingard. Some very excellent tableaux were then not only shown, bu t performed—‘Auld Robin Gray,’ ‘ Tit for Tat,’ and • Flora Macdonald,’ and the very amusing farce, ‘ Cool as a Cucumber,’ to finish up with. During an interval tea, coffee, and cakes were freely dispensed, making everyone feel quite at home. ‘Auld Robin Gray,’ was remarkably well done by Miss Ruth Thomson, as Jeannie. Mr Nicoll, Auld Robin Gray, Mr L. Appleby, the father, and Miss Elsie Ross the mother, Mr Styche as Jamie. Miss Ross and her brother, (Mr Alick Ross) did ‘ Flora Macdonald,’ and Mr Ross and Miss Lingard gave a very spirited rendering of ‘ Tit forTau’ Some of our girls are very excited about a ‘mask ball ’ which is being given by Mrs Curtis, of Ashburton. 1 hear people are going from all parts. WARWICK HOUSE SCHOOL SPORTS took place on Friday. It was a lovely day, but very hot. A very large gathering streamed into Lancaster Park, as with about 120 boys in the school, naturally parents and friends were very numerous, all interested or excited over one or other of the events. The boys, too, went into the sports with spirit, as many as seventy having entered for one race, and sixty-five for another. Mrs Cook gave a cordial welcome to all, providing a delicious afternoon tea, aving a host of willing helpers, amongst whom I noticed Miss Hitchings (Napier), Misses Graham, L. Wood, Berkeley, Ballantyne, Cuff, Van Asch, Mrs Stringer, etc Among the many visitors were Mr and Mrs Cunningham, the latter in a handsome dress of shot red and green, with green velvet trimming; Mr and Mrs W. D. Meares and daughters, Mrs Meares wearing black grenadine with satin basque and sleeves, small jet bonnet; Miss Meares, white pique skirt and jacket, black hat; the younger ones in cream frocks and drawn silk hats, with tan gloves, shoes, and stockings; Mrs Bassett, in black, with heliotrope in her bonnet: Mrs Wanklyn, black skirt and jacket, and light waistcoat ; Mrs McCracken, very handsome light fawn dress trimmed with brown velvet and gold passementerie vest, bonnet to match; Mrs Rutherford ; Messrs H. D. Carter, Elmslie, A. Anderson, F. M. Wallace, Wilding, Muridge, Dr. Jennings, Messrs Martin, F. W. Thompson, Quane, F. Trent. W. Reece, G. Roberts, Townend, C. Matson, Chrystall, Stead, Cuff, Lake, Misses Martin, Way, Hewitt, Tabart, Wright, and hosts of others. The prizes were distributed by Mrs Cook, and very handsome they were, the proceedings finishing with ringing cheers from the boys, who, I am sure, had spent a delightful day. Last Saturday Mrs Stead gave a children’s party, when over a hundred little people had a grand time inside and outside. The grounds are lovely for games of all kinds, and what with the sumptuous tea and all kinds of delights, 7 p.m. came much too soon for them. The Orchestral Concert of the Musical Union takes place tonight. Miss Lilian Smith and the Rev. A. Mitchell are the vocalists. Mendelssohn’s celebrated ‘ Scotch Symphony ’is down, and Cowen’s ‘ Language of Flowers.’ With other good items we are looking forward to a good concert. Mrs Besant gained many admirers of her abilities as a speaker, her rich voice and steady flow of language with her reposeful manner being very taking, but people are not so agreed upon her lecture subject. The Rev. O’Bryen Hoare gives us to-morrow * What he learnt from Mrs Besant ’ Mrs Bruges has returned from Australia. Dolly Vale.