CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIII, Issue XIX, 10 November 1894, Page 450

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, October 31. THE MUSICAL UNION on Thursday gave one of the best concerts we have heard from them, principally orchestral music, Mendelssohn’s. The Scotch Symphony is immensely difficult, and abounds in characteristic airs of the country in which the foundation of the piece is laid. Cow’en’s * Language of Flowers ’ was highly appreciated, also two other dainty numbers which we had heard before, and yet wanted again there and then. The vocalists brought out Miss Lilian Smith, whom we have only just heard of, and the Rev. Mitcnell. Miss Smith is quite young, and possesses a charming mezzosoprano voice ; her low notes are beautiful. She was dressed in a simple white silk gown trimmed with lace, and a few lilies of the valley on the bodice. The Rev. Mitchell sang his two songs very pleasingly. He sings with a good deal of expression and has a good voice. The Tuam-street Hall was crowded in every part. Among the number I saw Mr and Mrs W. D. Meares and daughters, Mr and Mrs Common, Mr, Mrs. and Misses Cook. Mr and Mrs G. Roberts, Mrs Robison, Mrs Mathias, Mrs Embling, Mist- Cowley and the Misses Julius, Mrs Denniston, Mrs Wilding, Mrs F. M. Wallace. Mrs G. Merton, Mr and Mrs A. Bennett, Mrs Robert Parker (Wellington), Mrs and Miss Freda Marsden, Mrs Harrison, Mr and Mrs Tyree, Mrs Bickerton Fisher, Dr. and Mrs Mickle, Mrs Ogle, Mrs Lee. Mr and Mrs Burns, Misses Heywood. Fairhurst. Brett (Auckland), Way, Wright, Mrs and Miss Marton, and many others. On Friday the Misses Heywood gave A JOLLY AFTERNOON to a few girl friends. Music, of course, was the principal form of amusement, and some very pretiy songs were sung, freely interspersed with delicious tea and cakes. The Misses Webb, Hassal, Beud>e, Hewlings, Lingard (two), Kissling, Hargreaves, Graham, and others were among those present. On Saturday A MOST ENJOYABLE DAY’S OUTING was spent by a number of ladies. An early coach was taken to Tai Tapu. and then a walk of five or six miles to Stafford’s Bush, where 1 should say a very happy time was spent judging by the exquisite clematis and other bush flowers brought home by the party, each one being simply laden with spoils. A return was made to Christchurch by the 6 30 coach after a periect day on the hills. Mrs A. Oilivier, Missesstoddart (two). Lean (two), Lingard, Kissling, Turton, Clements, Gibson and Thompson were among the number. DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT was given on Monday night at the Oddfellows’ Hall in aid of the schools of St. Mary’s. Manchester-stieet. There was a very ap- ( preciative audience, and a veiy big bill—‘A Husband in Clover, • Woodcock's Little Game.’ and * A Poetic Proposal.’ 1 he ters were ably taken by Mrs George Deamer, Misses Mabel Greenwood. Freeman, and Gilman. Messrs Wotherspoon. E. ana L. Nicol I. and A. L. Styche. Among the many present 1 noticed Mrs Wilding, wearing a pretty electric blue opera cloak; Miss Ida Cowlishaw, in pale green, with stylish cream opera mantle embroidered with gold; her sister in buttercup yellow ; Mr ana Mrs T. W. Thompson, the latter in a pale blue cloak prettily trimmed with lace; Mrs Aynsley, in black satin with jet trimmings; Mrs Greenwood, also in black; Miss Greenwood, white silk; Mrs Tabart, a handsome black costume; Mrs and Mi" Foster, the latter in white silk with lace; Dr. and Mrs Moore-

house. Mr and Misses Murray, the Misses Tabart. Mrs Day, etc. The CHRISTCHURCH LIEDBRKRANZCHKN wound up its third season last night with a very successful ‘At Home ’ in the Art Gallery, which had been much decorated for the occasion. The first part was a cantata, ‘The Wishing Bell.’ a very pretty, tuneful work, and exce.lently produced, a small orchestra led by Miss Packer. Miss Freda Marsden doing yeoman service with the ’cello, greatly adding to the perform tnce. The ‘Song Wreath’ includes some twenty girls now. and amongst them are some very promising singers. The soloists last night were the Misses Bennington, L. Wood, C. Lingard. A. Lake, and E Davie. In ihs interval a move was made to the small room and drawing room and tea. coffee, and cakes dispensed with a great deal of merry chat. rhe Bishop and Mrs Julius (President) and the Misses Julius w« re £ resent; Miss Cowley, wearing a pretty pink dress: Mrs imbling in black: xMrs W. D. Meares, black skirt and pale blue silk blouse : Miss Meares, cream striped satin and pretty cloak ; Dr. and Mrs Murray-Ay nsley. Mrs Robison. Mrs Hennah, Mrs Mathias, Mrs W. Stringer in a lovely pale blue brocade cloak with handsome lace; Mrs (Dr.) Anderson, black evening dress; Mrs Bullock, black relieved with white and jet; Misses Bullock, Mr and Mrs F. Graham ; Mrs G. Roberts, a very handsome black trained gown trimmed with white silk and handsome black lace; Mrs Trent, Mrs Fairhurst. Mrs G. Greenwood, Mr and M s Cox, Dr. and Mrs Jennings. Mr and Mrs B itham Mrs F. W. Thompson, Mrs J. Wood. Mrs W. Wi’son dark red velvet and white silk vest; Mr and Mrs and Miss Bonnington. Mrs Waymouth. Mrs Cheynoweth. Mr and Miss Hale, Miss N. Matson, Mrs Bowen with a number of her girls. Mrs Inglis, Mr and 4rs Ch ry stall. Mr and Mrs Maitland Gardiner, Misses Wilson. Hargreaves. Heywood. Hicks, Webb, Cox, etc. Miss Nora Gardiner conducted, and we bid them farewell, wishing them success next year. OBITUARY. A very sudden death visited a prominent Christchurch citizen last week while at his office. Mr F. Banks, of the firm of Miles and Co, was preparing to leave for his home, Park Terrace, as Dr. Prius had advised him to take a rest, when his death occurred. He had been ailing for some time past, and had during the wet winter contracted a cold which he seemed unable to shake off, bui nothing of to serious a nature was anticipated. He leaves a wife and grown-up son and daughter. Another sad death reaches us by cable of Mr William Heaton Rhodes, youngest son of the late R. H. Rhodes, ol E mwood, Cnristchurch. He was only twenty-four years of age. and was at Branenose College, Oxford. No particulars are to hand, only that it is the result of an accident. TENNIS TALK. A good match was played on Saturday afternoon when Mr Grossman played Mr E. J. Ross in the Champion Singles, the latter winning after a close game. Each player was in good form, and won two sets each, and then Mr Ross pulled the fifth set off, although taking the games they each wun the same number. Next Saturday afternoon the final of the Men’s Singles will be played, when Mr Ross meets Mr Wilding, and also the Ladies’ Final, when Miss Black plays Miss D. Harman. The Ladies’ Double will be finished. The players in the final are Mrs Harrison and Miss Harman against Mrs W. Ollivier and Miss Van Asch. A good game is expected, as the handicap is almost even, the first named couple receiving £ 15. Tnese matches will close the Courts, I expect, as we shall ail be practising on grass so as to be in good form for Christmas week.

Dolly Vale