CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XI, 14 September 1895, Page 333

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, September 4. The concert given by th© MUSICAL UNION last week was quite crowded out of my brain, for I know I even forgot to mention it, and it, was a most enjoyable one. the music of a mixed but principally light character. 'The orchestra played several selections, Gowen’s suite. ‘ Language of Flowers,' being beautifully and daintly played, the * Intermezzo ’ from Cavelleria Rusticana being encored, as usual. 'The t-oloists were both com paratively new, only being heard,. 1 think, once before—Miss Venie Flower, of Ashburton, and Air G. March. Miss Flower charmed the audience with her magniflemt contralto voice. She has an extensive register, every note being of the finest', quality, her upper notes particularly full and pure. Mr March sang for the first time for the Musical Inion. and created a very favourable impression. He is quite young, but possesses a fine baritone voice, and with some of our veteran Mr Millar's experi ence w ill be a great acquisition. The unaccompanied glee singing and some choruses with orchestral accompaniments were equally enjoyable. Miss Flower looked well in eau de nil brochc with velvet putt sleeves, and among the large audience, which almost tilled the Tuam street Hull, were Judge and Mrs Denniston. Mrs Westmacott, Mrs and Misses J ulius, Mrs Embling. Mr and Mrs I. Gibbs anti Mrs Cooper. Mrs and Misses Meares ami Mrs Common Mrs and Miss Gibson. Captain and Miss Anderson, Mr and Mrs G. Roberts, Mr and Miss Hargreaves, Miss Ilewlings, Professo and Mrs Cook. Mr and Mrs walcot Wood. Mrs F. M. Wallat Mrs J. Aiken and Miss Bett (Dunedin*, Mr and Mrs Rojver. Mr and Mrs 11. Wood, Miss Hardy-Johnston and Mr Meredith, Mr.Marsden, Mr, Mrs and Miss Wilding. Mr and Miisses Bennington, and many others. THE OPENING <>•* HIE EXHIBITION on Thursday evening was celebrated with great erlat, if crush is anything g<> by. 'The avenues were so densely packed that one woncLered what we were all then* for. Of course. it was impos to see anything while the atmosphere in the concert hall, where the actual opening ceremony look place, was something over lOOdeg. Fahr., I should say. At any rate, many were quite ill after it. 'I he Mayor, in the absence of the Governor, had the honour of declaring the Exhibition open, and the Mayoress was the recipient of a lovely bouquet., the gift of Nairn and Sons, and presented by Miss Kirk, daugther of the President, and an other from MrGimblett, presented by Miss Onrlett. 'The National Anthem was sung by a choir of children. Miss Billons. Miss L. Thompson, and Rev. A. Mitchell singing the solo parts. Later the anthem ‘Zealandia’ was sung very effectively, the Rev. A. Mitchell being very successful in the solo. Of the Exhibition it self one cannot speak too highly considering it is almost entirely

local, and as many works are in progress there, it will give visitors some idea of the many branches of art carried on in our midst we know nothing of. Every evening there is some attraction-con-cert, lecture, or limelight views. THE POINT TO POINT STEEPLECHASE out at Templeton drew a large crowd on Saturday, the weather being fairly tine in the beginning, but a bitterly cold wind driving home in the teeth of it towards evening. But weather is a mere detail where races are concerned, and especially, as in this instance, when the riders are personal friends of most of the spectators, enthusiasm runs very high. Some of those who drove out were Dr. and Miss Ned will, Messrs and Misses Cowlishaw, Mr and Mrs J. D. Hall, Mr and Mrs H. Cotterill, Mr and Miss Todhunter, Mr and Miss Neave, Mr and Mrs Hamer, Mr and Mrs Heaton Rhodes, Misses Guy, Cotterill, Sanders. Mr and Mrs H. Wood, Mr and Miss Gerard. Misses Helmore, Mr Mathias, Mr and Miss Beswick, Mr and Mrs George Gould and Miss Ansley, Mr and Mrs R. Macdonald, Mr and Mrs Lance, Lane, etc. As it was so cold, the display of smart attire was limited to warm jackets, boas, ulsters, and those handsome caped driving coats so fashionable now-a days. DE PARTI RES. I hear Miss Ettie Davie purposes paying a long visit Home with some idea of studying singing, probably in Italy—at any rate with some good master. Although we shall regret and miss her beautiful contralto voice from our concert platform, one can only be glad of the opportunity she may have of developing such a gift to the utmost. 1 believe she accompanies (’anon and Mrs Stack about Christmas. A great many people are out of town holiday-making just now. Mrs Julius and her daughters are at New Brighton and the Bishop is away south. Mrs (Dr.) Jennings and her two little children have just returned from a long stay at Sumner. Mr and Mrs W. D. Wood (Riccarton) are still there, having taken the house for another month. Mrs Nicholls, of White Rocks, is also there. Mrs Barkas and her little girl have gone for a trip up the Coast. Almost all our musical professionals are off somewhere. Mr H. Wells has gone to the North Island. Miss Greenwood (Dunedin) is up staying with Mrs Greenwood, Teviotdale, and Miss Gibson (Dunedin) is the guest of Mrs P. Campbell. Mrs Dalgety, Grassmere, is in town too, and Miss Hay, Temuka, is still staying with Miss Cox, Merivale. Miss Wynn-Williams has gladdened the young people’s hearts in the prospect of a fancy dress ball, which comes off shortly. Miss C. Lingard has gone on a visit to Dunedin. A very successful dance was given by the High School girlsand boys in the College hall to the visiting football teams. 1 hear the supper was the work of the girls, and reflected the greatest credit on their teaching, the decorations also being remarkable and lovely.

Dolly Vale.