CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue III, 18 January 1896, Page 70

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee, January 9. Christmas week has come and gone with all its attendant festivities, and which is really only a joyous time for our young people, for as wo journey along in life there is usually too much sadness mixed up with the Happy Christmas.’ The New Year has also dawned, and, as usual, the LYTTELTON REGATTA takes premier place of all gatherings on the first day of the year, the crowd of visitors on this occasion eclipsing any previous one, with an excellent display of fireworks to wind up the evening. An immense number of people spent the Christmas holidays out of town. At the Hanmer Plains Mr and Mrs Habens (Wellington), Mr and Mrs Cutten and daughters (Temuka), Mr, Mrs and Miss Tregear (Wellington), Mr ana Miss Brittan. Mr and Mrs G. Helmore, Messrs Mathias, Cowlishaw, Murray (two), etc., were

among a large party. Mrs Palmer entertained a large house-party at Burnham Mr and Mrs Wardrop (who have returned from Australia). Mr and Mrs Ogle, Miss E. Tabart and others. At Sumner, Mrs and Miss Garrick. Miss Fairhurst, Captain and Miss Anderson and Miss Smith, Mr and Mrs R. Brown, Mr and Mrs T. Garrard, Mr and Mrs Bruce (Op&wal and family, Messrs Hargreaves, Deamer. Garrick, and unlimited campers. Mr and Mrs W. D. Meares and family, with numerous others, patronised Springfield. t For those who stayed m town there has been ■ MUCH ATHLETIC EXCITEMENT, the cricket match filling us with pride over our glorious victory. We seem to have lived at Lancaster Park lately, but Saturday, the last day of the sports, finished with a violent hurricane, raising such a dust storm that it was quite impossible to see anything across the course, and almost blinding those competing. But amongst the few who braved the elements were Mr and Mrs Harley. Mr and Mrs A. Rhodes, Mr and Mrs Pyne. Mr and Misses Wynn-Williams, Mrs Wilder. Mrs C. Clark. Misses MurrayAynsley, Russell, CotteriU, Reeves, Messrs Cotterill, Douglas, Boyle, e‘c. On New Year’s night a BALL was given in honour of the cricketers in the Art Gallery, but it is a pity some friend of cricket with a suitable garden did not suggest a garden party instead. Many even of our cricketing enthusiasts could not think of the ball with the thermometer nearly ninety, so in point of numbers it was not a success, though all the arrangements were perfect, and some elegant gowns were worn. If all cricketers had been invited to appear in tennis costume a few more might have ventured; at any rate a few more of the visitors. Mr Beswick (Mayor) received the cricket teams, and among those present were Judge and Mrs Denniston, the latter wearing white satin and garlands of pink flowers: Mrs Wilding, in trained dark green velvet, with front petticoat of Oriental silk ; Mrs R. Harman wore her bridal dress ; Mrs A. Rhodes, steel grey brocade with black silk and chiffon ; Mrs P. Campbell, black satin and jet: Mrs H. Wood, heliotrope brocade : Mrs K. Turner, white satin prettily trimmed with black lace and jet: Misses Reeves, Hill, Ronalds. Beswick. the latter in a pretty gown of canary satin and heliotrope; Miss Courage, handsome white brocade : Misses Cowlishaw. pretty white brocade frocks trimmed with lace: Mr and Mrs A. M. Ollivier. Mr and Mrs WynnWilliams. Mr and Mrs Bruges, the latter in a lovely gown of black and green satin: Miss Tabart, Messrs Cuff. Wilding. Campbell, Harman. Rolleston. A. Rhodes, Drs. Palmer and Campbell, etc. Last Friday at Thorrington Mrs C. Clark entertained the athletes at a GARDEN PARTY, and though the afternoon was very gusty, we soon forgot our woes in the lovely shady, sheltered garden with its cool stream, the music, pretty frocks, and dainty tea tables all so tempting and refreshing after the glare and dust of town in a nor’-wester. Mrs C ark received in a becoming French grey with black ’ace flounces, lace mantle and bonnet. The guests included the Hon. Mrs Parker, in pale blue and white silk : Mrs George Gould, green and white chine silk and chiffon ; Mrs Hamer (Auckland) wore heliotrope of two shades : Mrs Arthur Rhcdes. apricot and black costume: Mrs R. D. Thomas, black relieved with heliotrope: Mrs H. Wood, white and mauve, large white hat: Mrs Wilding, in grey: and numbers more. Croquet and tennis went on briskly, and several sets of Lancers ware danced. Yesterday (Wednesday) Mrs Wynn-Williams gave an IMPROMPTU TENNIS PARTY, but about 5 o’clock a terrific and sudden hailstorm converted it into an indoor party, which as quickly became a musical one. The Misses Beswick, Fulton, Cowlishaw, and Helmore, Messrs Garsia. Turrell, Dinwiddy (Napier), and Clark were some of those present. Mrs Turrell. I am glad to say. is rapidly improving in health, and is at present the guest of Mrs Stevens (Englefleld), where she is able to enjoy the beautiful shady garden. The Misses Blakiston. Robison, and Hennah are gone to the Chathams for a stay with the hospitable Islanders. Mr and Mrs G. Lee are expected out shortly by the s s. ‘Tainui.'

Dolly Vale.