CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XI, 14 March 1896, Page 297

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee March 5. What a dissipated week is mine to record ! For excuse, of course, the Australian squadron ! There has been quite a little whirl of gaiety in their honour, and our reputation for hospitality really well upheld, in spite of Lent in the Cathedra! city. OUTDOOR FETES. On Monday Mr Saunders gave a lawn party at * Almorati.’ her guests comprising among others the Hon. Mrs Parker. Mrs Hamer, Mrs and Miss Mellish. Mrs George Gould, and Miss Malet. On Tuesday there was a large garden party at * Chaddislaw in honour of the officers. Mrs Cowlishaw wore a handsome black gown ; Misses Cowlishaw. pretty silk blouses, checked, and dark skirts. Among beautiful gowns I noticed Mrs A. Boyle, in grey and white costume : Mrs W estmacott. smart brown tweed : Mrs Heaton Rhodes, grey coat and skirt, with re vers of black inoire. picture hat; Hon. Mrs Parker, heliotrope muslin; MrLascelles, costume of fawn and orange ; Misses Bridge (cumner). Tabart. Aynsley, Ned will. etc. The same evening an intended river party given by Mrs Wil liams| revoked itself, owing to the cold night, into a pleasant little evening at ‘ Ilanmaer.* On Wednesday came the CLUB BALL. a truly magnificent affair, in which neither expense nor trouble* had been spared in the arrangements throughout. Admiral Bridge and his officers were, of course, all present, and in romph ment to the honoured guests' red, white, and blue were much eu cridenee. in the decorations. The latter were mainly floral, the upper table being one mass of lovely red and white flowers mingled with ferns and palms, and the programmes and menu cards also had suggestions of the colours in the shape of dainty red. white and blue strings. The floral part of the decorative design was due to the exertions of a number of ladies, among them Misses Palmer, Cowlishaw. and Ned will, who w’orked most assiduously during the day at this arduous work, and they were much to be congratulated on their success in the results. The ball room, specially erected for the night, was a splendid one. and the floor perfection. Indeed, with plenty of partners, kind hosts, the delightful floor, and supper, and music, no wonder that every one has pronounced the Club ball one of the best given in our town for years. Among such a host of exquisite gowns it is really difficult to particularise, but of course some struck me more than others. Hon. Mrs Parker wore grey and pink; Mrs Dalgetty (Grasmere), an elegant white brocade with ostrich feathers ; Mrs T. B. Barker (Geraldine), striking gown of white and grey ; Mrs Heaton Rhodes, geranium satin and dia mond ornaments: virs Arthur Rhodes, quiet Parisian dress of shot grey and pink satin, with chiffon and carnations, and Mrs Pitman, in pearl brocade with bands of dark fur, were some of the loveliest dresses worn. Among many who looked well were Miss B. Campbell, in pink : Misses Henry, in black satin and jet ; Miss K. Wilson G/cMa/tA’) in pretty white corded silk ; Miss Nedwill. white satin and chiffon ; Miss Wynn-Williams, pale green satin ; Miss Ella Harley, white satin and lilac ; etc., etc. On Thursday evening we all went to hear the * RINGAROOMA MINSTRELS ’ at the Opera House, who gave a capital Christy entertainment, and made a fine sum to hand over to the Destitute Patients' Fund at the Hospital. The fun, which was graced by the Governor’s presence, I believe, at Napier, is immense, and we enjoyed a good laugh at the Minstrels, who are really very ‘smart’in Yankee phraseology. There was cricket, too, in the afternoon, but I was a little too tired after the ball to go to that, though from all accounts it was very jolly with the ‘Orlando’ band playing and such nice tea pro video by the Misses Raphael. On Friday a hot nor’-wester, which increased to the dimensions of a gale, rather took the edge oft’ our enjoyment of Mrs Dennis ton’s GARDEN PARTY AT FENDALTON, and the cricket on the Haguley Ground. Miss Wynn-Williams gave tea at the latter, wearing a pretty neat black costume, silk blouse, and apple green collar and cuffs. Mrs Charles Clarke, Mrs Hainer, and Miss Nedwill were among those who partook of the dainty refreshments and watched the match. At Mrs Den niston's a band was playing, and the pretty lawn was gay with tennis, croquet, and putting players. Mrs Denniston wore a dark skirt, with pretty blue green silk blouse and black guipure and jet; Mrs Henry Wood wore pretty striped pink gown, and Bink picture hat; Miss Guy wore black and pale green ; Mrs H. iurnes, black lace and velvet, flowered bonnet; Mrs Gibbs, black gown, handsome mantle ; Mrs Kanald Macdonald, dainty dress of strawberry colour ; Mrs Meeson. black and white costume; Mrs Murray-Aynsley, fawn drill, with brown hat and feather; Mrs Helmore, brown silk; Mrs Means and her daughter, Mrs Stoddart and her daughter. Mrs and Miss Turrell and t he iMessrs Turrell. Dr. Campbell and Miss Campbell, Miss Von Haast, Mr and Miss Northcote, Mr and Mrs Neave and their sons. Miss Neil (Dunedin), Misses Ainger, Ross. Nedwill, Beswick, and Mac pherson, and several of the officers from port were also present. Tea was served on the verandah, and every care was taken for the welfare of their guests by the kind host and hostess. And we just got home when the wind swung round to the south and down came the rain. However, I don't suppose thi< inter fered very much with the concert given in the evening by the Liedertafel in honour of our naval friends, which judging from masculine accounts, was very enjoyable. It was a ‘ Herren Abend, so poor me! I have only seen the programme. This tells of nautical songs, and love songs and drinking songs and part songs, and contains the names of Messrs Wallace. Day, Badnas, Millar, Reeves Lovell and others, a list in itself sufficient to account for the vaiiety and excellence of the conceit.

Then on Saturday, away sailed our visitors at an early hour in the cold dawn of day, thereby escaping many of the sighs that would doubtless have accompanied a later departure. There was the usual gathering at

on Saturday, when Miss Keswick gave tea for her brother, and in the evening the week’s dissipation wound up with another dance, a little private one at ‘ Merivale House.' Mrs Mulch wore brown relieved with pink; Miss Mulch, a black gown with white tichu. There were some pretty gowns worn, and Mesdames George Gould. Helinore, Mathias. Misses Rose. Courage (Culverdeni, Mellish, Ainger, Tabart. and Hehnore. were of the guests. The whole evening passed off with great spirit. Quite a gloom fell on the tow n on Saturday, when news came from New Brighton of the shocking yachting fatalitv in the Sumner Estuary, of which doubtless the daily papers have given you all the ghastly details. Mr Warner, of Warner’s Hotel, was so very well-known here, and so widely liked and respected, that the news of his sad and sudden death came like a public blow’ to the community. There cannot, be many people in New Zealand, indeed, who had not heard of Warner’s Hole!, Christchurch, and its kindly, genial host. The funeral took place on Monday, and also that of Mr Murray, of New Brighton. Cnfortunateiy. the body of the third man who was drowned has not yet been found. I have to record with regret also the quieter death of another old colonist. Mr G. W. Hall, who died at the residence of his nephew’, Mr T. W. Hall. Park Terrace, on Thursday last 'The de ceased gentleman was a brother of Sir John Hall, of Hororata, and his loss is felt by many in the city and province. PERSONAL. The residence of Mr John Baker, ' Philcombe,’ has been let to MrG. Lyons. Master of the Christchurch hounds. Hon. W. Rolleston. Mrs Rolleston and their daughters were in town this week for the ball and gaieties, and are still the guests of Mrs Williams, * Ilan maer. ’ The Bishop of Wellington and Mrs Wallis are staying at Bishop’s Court, having returned with Bishop Julius from Welling ton last. week. Miss Murray-Aynsley has issued cards for tennis on Thursday that is to-day. Dolly Vale.