CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XIV, Issue X, 9 March 1895, Page 234

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, February 28. I am glad to say that last week there were one or two pleasant events to break the previously social dulness. Mrs Bevan Brown gave a very enjoyable LITTLE TENNIS PARTY on Wednesday, at which Mr and Mrs Mannering, the Misses Ainger, Miss Stack, Miss Tripe, and Mr Speight were some of the guests. The following day Miss Guy entertained some of her girl friends at AFTERNOON TEA in the garden at ‘ Llanmaes,' among whom were Misses Murray - Aynsley, E. Helmore, Wynn-Williams, Gray, Maggie Cotteriil, and Campbell. On the same afternoon there was quite a crowd of ladies watching the POLO MATCH between the Christchurch and Ashburton teams in the Park. Mrs Lane, assisted by Mrs George Gould, provided a most acceptable tea. Mrs Gould’s gown was of white pique; the Misses Buckley wore stylish combinations of black and mauve! Miss Reeves was in navy blue; Miss Palmer wore a brown skirt and coat, cream silk front; the Hon. Mrs Parker looked very well in a white serge. Others present were Mrs Alan Scott, Mrs Boyle. Miss Murray-Aynsley. Mrs Wells (Amberley), Miss Baldwin, Mrs Heaton Rhodes, and the Misses Gerard. The morning of the first day of the OTAGO AND CANTERBURY CRICKET MATCH broke wet and cold, with a violent South-wester blowing, but fortunately in the after noon it cleared sufficiently for the game to begin. The interest taken in the match throughout was intense. On all three days—Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday—there were many spectators, several ladies being amongst the number. On Saturday I noticed Mr and Mrs Henry Wood and Mr and Mrs Graham Greenwood and others, but it was too wet and miserable for the wearing of pretty gowns On Monday MrsOtterson looked very well in an English gown of fawn and black and pink, with toque of black tips and pink rosettes; the Misses Neawill wore grey cloth coats and skirts; Miss Wynn-Williams, in white muslin ; Miss Guy, in a pretty grey costume, grey hat with white quills ; Miss D. Roberts, in black and mauve; Miss R. Meeson, in grey cloth, grey feather hat. Others there were Mrs Wilding, the Misses Tabart, Mr and Mrs Gibbs, Mr and Mrs Devenich Meare*

with their daughters, Mrs James Wood, and Dr. and Miss Moorhouse. On Tuesday afternoon several hundred guests assembled at Blshopsoourt in answer to the invitations of the Bishop of Christchurch and Mrs Julius to meet THE KTSnOl* OF MELANESIA AND HIS PARTY. The garden party was in every way most enjoyable, all the arrangements being perfect. Tea and refreshments were provided in a tent and on the lawn, and a brass band played light music from time to time during the afternoon. The Bishop of Melanesia gave a pleasant little address, and several hymns were sung by the native Melanesian boys, of whom there were about twenty. In the dining-room a collection of curios, spears, shields and clubs from the Islands were displayed for sale in aid of the Mission, the Misses Blakiston and Robison assisting in the selling. The guests wandered through the gardens and house, to which handsome additions and alterations have been made, and all went away well pleased with the enjoyable and interesting afternoon they had spent, due to their genial and ever popular nost and hostess. Many clergymen and their wives were present, among them the Bishop of Auckland, the Dean of Christchurch. Canons Stack and Harper, and the Rev. Mr Brittan. Mrs Julius received her guests in a black silk dress draped over white, black and white bonnet: her daughters wore pretty simple holland gowns, with sailor hats; Mrs Hutton was in grey tweed: Mrs George Gould in a stylish pink cloth costume, white and black hat; Mrs Prius and Mrs S. Barker looked well in similar gowns of grey tweed trimmed with black satin: Mrs Boyle, fawn and pink draped skirt; Mrs Michael Campbell in black with satin ribbon: her daughters wore charming gown« of striped white and black, with black and white toques; Miss Bowen, a striking combination of peacock blue and black: Mrs Cunningham, black relieved with pink ; Miss E. Helmore. green silk with white yoke ; Miss Meeson. black and white ; the Misses Cowlishaw wore pretty gowns of white and green erdpon. large white fichus tied in front; Miss Wynn-Williams, in white, large white feather hat; the Misses Murray-Aynsley, in white with black sashes; Mrs Common, a beautiful shade of blue satin : Mrs Denniston, tweed, with pink and black bonnet; the Misses Henry (Wellington), black coats and skirts, and feather hats; Mrs Irving, m brown tweed and cape; Miss Ainger, in fawn cloth ; Miss Potts, white and purple; Mrs J. D. Hall, sprigged white muslin; Mrs Arthur Reeves, a pretty shade of green. Among the other guests I saw Mrs Stack and her daughter, Mrs Robison. Mrs R. D. Thomas, Mrs Rhind. Mrs Turrell, Mrs Haslam and her daughter. Miss Neave, Miss Todhunter, Mrs Graham. Mrs Wood. Mrs Fisher. Dr. and Mrs Anderson, the Misses Cox, Miss Cotterill, Mrs Pyne, Mrs Burns Professer and Mrs Cook. OUR FOLK. Mrs Dalgetty, of Grasmere, is on a visit to her sister. Mrs Colin Campbell. I saw her the other day, looking very well in a grey check costume with white waistcoat, black toque and blue trimmings. Mr and Mrs Patrick Campbell returned from Dunedin on Saturday. after having enjoyed the Cup week gaieties in the South. Miss Babington is also in town again, looking very well after her stay in Wellington. The Misses Henry, of Wellington, are visiting Mrs Denniston. They think of staying in Christchurch for some months. Mrs Baker has been paying a short visit to old friends in Christchurch. Mr W. Ridings is removing to Auckland shortly, and will be much missed in social circles here. Mr and Mrs Kissling have gone to live in Dunedin. But I must not gossip any longer now. I shall have two or three pleasant things to tell you next week, I hope. Till then adieu.

Dolly Vale.