CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XXV, 21 December 1895, Page 778

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, December 12. If I said what was in my mind I should only abuse the weather, for it is perfectly suicidal. If it were not for the charming Broughs, where you can go any evening, and either cry to your heart’s content, or laugh all your cares away, just according to the sentiment of the play. I do not know what would become of us. When one thinks of the tennis, luncheons, and boating that have had to Be put oft this week for the rain it makes one feel quite wicked, but if we have not been able to frolic out of doors we have been tolerably happy at eventide at

THE THEATRE ROYAL, which has been well filled every evening since the opening with a fashionable and well-dressed audience, amongst whom have been the Hon. Mrs Parker, in soft black silk with jet and lace pale grey cloak lined with pink; Miss Baldwin, scarlet Libertj’ silk, large full sleeves; Mrs Lomax-Smith, elegant yellow satin embossed with yellow velvet flowers, large full sleeves almost to the wrist, soft white lace and muslin fichu; Mrs W. Reynolds (Dunedin), lovely yellow and cream gown, soft white cloak; Mrs A. Boyle, elegant black satin and white velvet, diamond ornaments in her hair and at throat, large black and white fan, rich black velvet cloak with white quilted lining; Mrs Stead, black and white satin and lace, handsome white brocade cloak with thick fringe: Mrs Denniston, black and yellow: Mrs Wason dark red satin and old lace; Mrs R. H. Rhodes, deep geraniuni satin with lovely flowers and diamond ornaments; Mrs G. Gould black silk with huge white sleeves, lace and flowers, soft grev silk cloak ; Mrs Otterson, black silk, diamond ornaments long fawn silk cloak: Mrs H. O. D. Meares. dainty striped yellow gauze, soft yellow feather boa, crimson cloak with black fur • Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, high black brocade; Miss Garrick’ black with berthe of old lace: Mrs A. Anderson, black with gold ornaments; Mr and Mrs J. Deans. Dr. and Miss Townend. Mr and Mrs G. V. Shannon (Wellington), Mrs T It Fisher (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs Ronalds. Mr ard Mrs Barkas'and Mrs Trent, Mr and Mrs H. Cotterill. Dr. and Mrs Deamer Dr. and Miss Ned will, Mrs W. D. and Misses Meares, Mrs Deamer Mr F. and Miss Deamer, Mr and Mrs Wilding, Mr and Mrs F Si' Wallace. Mr and Mrs F. Thompson, Mrs J. Wood, Mr and Mrs do Vriez, Mrs Waymouth. Mrs Gould, the Hon. E. W. Parker Messrs Alan Soott. Wason. Burns, Drs Lomax-Smith and Guthrie’ Judge Denniston, etc. SMALL GAIETIES.

On Tuesday Mrs Stead gave a ladies' luncheon party at her residence. ’Strowan.’ when Mesdames Denniston. Reeves Buller Wilding. G. Gould. Misses Tolhurst, Tabart. Reeves, and Palmer wore among those present. On Wednesday Mrs C. Clark. Thorrington. gave a very pleasant

afternoon to her friends, when Mrs J. D. Hall. Mrs H Wood. Misses Wynn-Williams, Bullock, Cowlishaw and Beeves were some of the guests. On Thursday Mrs G. Gould gave a luncheon party in honour of the Misses Williams (Wellington*, who are, unfortunately, soon to leave us now. The Hon. Mrs Parker, Mrs Stead. Mrs Lascelles. Miss Aynsley. Mrs A. E. G. Rhodes, and others spent a very pleasant time. On Thursday afternoon Mrs Ranald Macdonald gave a small afternoon in honour of Mrs Brough. Talk, music, tea, and cake only passed the time all too qu.ckly. while the lady in whose honour the gathering was, charmed all who were introduced to her—Mrs ana Miss Campbell, Miss Henry, Miss Guy, and many more. On Thursday evening Miss Mellish's dance was a great success. Miss Mellish wore a handsome plum-coloured striped satin and velvet gown, and lovely flowers; Mrs Mellish. a rich black gown; Misses Sanders (Almorah). Miss Beswiok, Mrs J. D. Hall. Miss Gerard. Miss Maude. Mrs H. Wood. Messrs Turrell. Wood (two). Beswick. Becket. Neave (two), were among those present. The large empty room make an excellent ball-room, and with good floor, music, and a dainty supper, a most enjoyable evening was spent. The Hon. Mrs Parker gave tea at Polo on Saturday, when quite a crowd assembled in spite of the doubtful day. There was some goed sport, though no', very fast play on account of the ground, and it was not as cold as an east wind usually leads one to expect. Mr and Mrs G. Gould. Mr and Mrs R. H. Rhodes, Mr and Mrs Lascelles, Mr and Miss Beswick, Mr and Mrs H. Cotterill, Misses Ronalds. Gerard, and Harris were among the numerous spectators. On Monday Mrs Macdonald. Gloucester-street West, gave an ‘At Home’in honour of Mrs Brough. Mr Brough, Miss Faber and Mr and Mrs Titheradge were also present. Among the other guests were Mr and Mrs Ranald Macdonald. Dr. and Mrs Symes, Miss Davie, Mr and Mrs Wynn-Williams. Capt. Garsia. Judge and Mrs Denniston, Mr and Mrs H. Wells, Misses Williams (Wellington), Mr and Mrs A. Boyle. Mr and Mrs Wason. and many more. Some good music, merry chat, tea and delicious strawberries and cream combined to make up a delightful afternoon. Mrs Sanders. Riccarton, gave a lawn party on Tuesday for tennis, croquet, etc.. General and Misses Fulton, Dr. and Miss Nedwill. Mrs and Miss Mellish were among those who ventured so far out of town on a very doubtful day. On Wednesday Mrs Henry Wood gave a farewell tea to Miss Turton, who is leaving fot Sydney shortly, and will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends. Mrs Wood wore white, and entertained her guests in her-usual-hosnitabte way. assisted by Miss Bullock. Mrs Denniston and Miss Turton, Mrs H. Cotterill, Miss Gerard, Mrs Owen Cox. Mrs H. O. D- Meares. Misses Mceson, Macpherson, Sanders Mellish. and others were there. The Horticultural Society's Show last week was an exceedingly good one, especially the vegetables, but the roses were conspicuous by their absence. The disagreement with the Rose Society no doubt accounts for this. The Rose Show takes place to-morrow, but the continuous wet weather has ruined the flowers. I hear the Hon. Mrs Parker leaves for a trip to England the beginning of next year with Mr and Mrs A. Boyle. The old cry has been raised again. ‘ls Christchurch a musical city ?' and from an outside point of view it would appear there is too much musical talent for the place, and the death knell has been rung of the musical festival for 1896. We are told that many pitched battles have been fought out over this very desirable object, but all to no purpose. The few cannot agree, and so the greater number have to suffer, which reverses the new law about the greatest good for the greatest number. It is a pity the Musical Union have been so generous in making rocks to stumble over. They have a conductor worthy to conduct a Festival, a Secretary capable of organising and carrying it out—why let it drop ? The people want the Festival.

Dolly Vale.