CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue III, 19 January 1895, Page 66

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, January 10. After the demoralising effect of too many holidays I once more take up my pen to give you a few jottings of our doings in this City of the Plains. The TENNIS TOURNAMENT was keenly fought out, and great interest taken all through by a large number of spectators, in spite of the heat. The weather has been gloriously fine for weeks, and those engaged in outdoor sports, picnic parties, and others show signs of the power of old Sol. Auckland claims one champion for tennis (Mr Hooper), and Napier the other (Miss Hilda Hitchings), the play of both being really masterly. On New Year’s Day Lyttelton took the giant share of holiday makers, some twenty-two or twenty-three thousand people being in and around it. Besides the regatta, marfhe excursions, etc., H.M.S. Royalist was in port, the Doric, and several other large steamers, always & source of interest to landsmen. The commander and officers of the Royalist entertained a number of friends on board, and a magnificent display of fireworks finished, up the proceedings. On Thursday evening a PRIVATE DANCE was given by a few ladies to Captain Goodrich and his officers in the Canterbury boatsheds, the floor of which is an excellent one for dancing, other arrangements being equally good. The hostesses were Mrs Cunningham, Mrs Denniston, Mrs P. Campbell. Mrs R. Macdonald, Mrs G. Gould, and Mrs H. Cotterill. Visitors were very numerous, and the evening was a delightful one and much enjoyed by all present, 12.30 p.m. coming much too quickly. Mrs Cunningham worea very handsome gown of very pale green satin brocaded with pink, diamond ornaments; Mrs Denniston, a lovely pink corded silk with black lace and jet trimming; Mrs P. Campbell, heliotrope silk with primrose coloured panels; Mrs R. Macdonald looked well in crimson brocade, shoes and fan to match; Mrs G. Gould, shot pale blue and pink silk trimmed with laee and dark fur; Mrs H. Cotterill. pretty white silk and Sale pink cloak; Mrs Alan Scott (who has just returned frem Ingland), trained black satin gown; Mrs J. Hall looked extremely well in white brocade wi u h berthe and sleeves of green satin finished with passementerie: Mrs Burns, pale blue silk and brocade, pearl embroidered belt; Miss Cowlishaw, a very pretty gown of white brocade: Miss Babington. beautiful grey bengaline trimmed with steel; Miss F. Wynn-Williams, coral pink silk; Miss — Wynn-Williams, white satin ; Miss Reeves, pale blue trimmed with black lace ; Miss Haslam, pale grey satin: Mrs R. Tabart, pink with black velvet sleevesand trimmings; Miss Hargreaves, a lovely dress of pink silk ; Miss Hutton, cream with black trimming ; Miss Spooner, cream corded silk trimmed with lace ; Miss Bowen, white relieved with green ; Miss Neave, white with yellow trimming; Miss Mellish, a striking dress of sapphire velvet with front panel of blue and white striped silk; Miss Roberts, yellow silk, the bodice trimmed with black lace insertion ; Miss Turton (Dnnedin), a pretty gown of heliotrope trimmed with cream lace ; Miss Roberts (Dunedin), navy blue velvet, the bodice finished with white lace ; Miss Kitto, blue silk, bands and panel of black velvet. AN AFTERNOON PARTY. Mrs Cowlishaw invited a number of tennis players to meet the officers of the Royalist on Wednesday, but the weather after the long spell of fine, was of a very different nature, and drove all inside, where dancing in one of the large drawing-rooms and other pursuits only made the afternoon speed all too quickly. A delicious afternoon tea was dispensed, our host and hostess making everyone enjoy themselves. POLO was played most vigorously in Hagley Park on Saturday afternoon. when Mrs G. Gould dispensed afternoon tea to a large number of visitors, amongst whom were the Hon. Mrs Parker. Mr and Mrs P. Campbell, Mr and Mrs Alan Scott, Mr and Mrs Otterson, and others. We are looking forward with very great pleasure to the arrival of the OPERA COMPANY, it is so long since we have had a good company here, and we shall all be so glad to have Nellie Stewart again. General Fulton and daughters have taken a house in Oxford Terrace, East, and we hope may remain with us some time. Mountaineering is quite THE CRAZE OF THE SEASON, and the honour of reaching the summit of our noble and hitherto unsurmountable Mount Cook falls to some plucky New Zealanders —Messrs Fyfe, Graham, and Clarke—to be now, circumstances being favourable, followed by Mr A. E. Fitzgerald (England) and party. Mr Fitzgerald has brought a Swiss guide and all the latest appliances for ice climbing, and everyone wishes him success, though the precise object to be gained puzzles many. News has reached us of a few adventures already, but their spirits do not seem at all quenched by these trifles. • Camping out is another craze of ours, and at Sumner this year the flower camps have increased enormously both in number and

hospitality, welcoming visitors even in their (the owner's) absence, only asking they may enter the names of those calling in the visitors' book. Dolly Vale.