CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue VII, 16 February 1895, Page 164

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, January 31. As so often happens with us, we have two good things playing together or none at all. The opera and Fitzgerald’s circus were both open last week, and the latter has a wonderful power of attraction for adults as well as juveniles, and has been getting immense audiences. But the circus now has too much trapeze business and wild animal show to be comfortable, though the horses seem more intelligent and better trained than ever, and are a great delight alone. The Opera Company has suffered somewhat no doubt from this rival attraction, but neither to all appearances from the reported deplorably low state of our coffers. We shall wake up to find ourselves much poorer at the close of the season probably, but to have laughed and enjoyed oneself so heartily is worth, well, almost going without a new frock. In the ‘ Mountebanks ’ the fun of the piece rests with Laurie and Miss Nash, and they certainly were irresistibly funny in ‘ Put a Penny in the Slot.’ Miss Nellie Stewart hws not so much to do, but she is so bright and her singing is always good. Miss Young is excellent in her character as an old, old woman. Among the crowded audience I noticed Mr and Mrs P. Campbell. Mr and Mrs Stead, the Hon. E. W. Parker, Mr and Mrs Alan Scott, Mr and Mrs Rhind, Mrs Millton and Mr F. Anderson, Mr and Mrs R. Macdonald*. Mr and Mrs Otterson, Mr and Mrs H. Nelson, Mrs and Miss Cunningham. Mr and Mrs Boyle, Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Cowlishaw, Mrs Wilder. Mrs Babington, Mrs Secreton, Mr and Mrs G. Harris, Mr and Mrs C. Clark, Mr and Mrs C. H. Croxton and Miss Croxton, Mr and Misses Ainger. Mr and Mrs Greenwood (Teviotdale), Mr and Mrs F. W. Thompson, Mr and Mrs R. D. Thomas. Mrs and Misses Greenwood, Miss Reeve (Auckland), Misses Gibson (two), Mr and Mrs Appleby, and others. The approaching tournament adds much interest to the POLO MATCHES, and in spite of the great heat some fierce games were fought on the polo ground at Hagley Park on Saturday afternoon. Mrs Stead provided the ever welcome cup of tea, and she must have been very heavily taxed, for it was a scorching afternoon. Among the onlookers were Mrs Heaton Rhodes, Mrs G. Rhodes, Mrs Archer, Mrs G. Gould. Mrs Stevens, Mrs Lee. Mrs Ogle, Mrs Lascelles, Mrs Pyne. Mrs Scott, Misses Tabart, Reeves, Campbell, etc. personal. Miss Fisher (of Wellington) with her sister is at present staying with Mrs C. Cook. She has been studying singing in Melbourne

for two years, and I hear is greatly improved. With her beautiful voice and great love of the art if she only had the opportunity she might yet make a name for herself. Mrs J. Baker from Wellington has been visiting Mrs Neave, Okeover. Riccarton, and will later go up to Horsley Downs to Mr and Mrs Lance. Mrs Howard (nee Miss Bullock) is over from Sydney visiting her people, and at present staying with her sister, Mrs Henry Wood, Riccarton. Mr and Mrs Bullock have moved out into the country a short distance in the Papanui direction. Mr and Mrs F. M. Wallace returned from the Southern Lakes this week, but unfortunately Mrs Wallace has been confined to the couch the whole time, having, it was thought, sprained her foot just before leaving Christchurch, but now to find on her return there is a small bone broken.

Dolly Vale.