CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XII, 21 March 1896, Page 322

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Lee, March 12. The reaction has set in, of course, after our week of delirious excitement. It is always so. No rose without a thorn, no plum pudding without indigestion, and no pleasures without reactions—a great argument (and the only great one, I think) against enjoying oneself in this wicked little world, provided of course the enjoyment is rational. For indeed I a.n no partisan of the frolics of the so-called stronger sex. and never can repress a chuckle to myself when I hear of the headaches and the ills consequent on an unusually heavy and ‘ toasty ’ banquet the proceeding night. ‘ Nature’s little reminder,’ I murmur exultantly. But how wonderfully few people profit by Nature’s lessons! Here we are in our little city to-day most busy and eager in preparing fresh dissipations for Easter now. The latest topic is A TENNIS BALL in the Art Gallery on Easter Monday to welcome our tennis visitors. A large and influential committee of ladies was at work yesterday afternoon settling all preliminaries. Then there is the polo meeting at Palmerston North (a tournament for the Saville Cup), to which several of our Polo enthusiasts are going. I was shown a lovely gown by a friend for wearing up there. It was sage green with great velvet collar and revers, and lined throughout with rich yellow silk. D. esses fit for the race-course seem to be much used now for Polo wear. Bycicling slowly and surely is coming to the front at last. We are always some of the slowest to take up a rage in Christchurch, yet some of the most enthusistic when once ‘ ojT!’ There is a wise old maxim I long ago heard that we are pretty consistent in carrying out, I think. Be not the first by whom the new is tried, Nor yet the last to lay the old aside. Very worldly and wise no doubt, old maxim, but where then would all our noble reformers come from I But we are digressing. To return to our sheep, or rather our bicycles. Among those already on the wheel are Mesdames Lomax-Smith. Wallace, Barkas, Tendal. Saunders. Misses Gordon, Mailing, Townsend, Julius. Miss Robinson looks neat and well in a navy coat and skirt and sailor hat; Mrs B. Portal, very smart in a tweed costume. Nothing could be more suitable than this plain style of dressing

for lady byciclists. and let us trust that the days of blouses and veils for byciclingfare gone by. finally and for always. Now I come to recall the doings of the week I begin to think we are not suffering so much from reaction after all. There has been nothing exciting, of course, but the fact of the H.M.S. * Rapid ' being still in port has given a little remnant of stimulus, so to speak, to more than one social gathering. News of Mrs Otterson’s LITTLE RIVER PARTY’ on Tuesday reached me too late for my letter last week. It ought to have been very jolly, but two slight mishaps seemed to have interfered somewhat with the enjoyment of the quests. Mr Perry capsized into the water, and Mr Rolles ton tore his hand on a rusty nail—a very nasty wound. However, in spite, of accidents the row from the hospital boat sheds to Mrs Otterson ’s house and merry supper-party at the latter were very good fun from all accounts. Seme of the lady guests were Misses Nedwill, Turnbull. Gou’d. Neil. etc. The rain, too. prevented me from seeing the pretty table decorations at the Flower Show on Wednesday, but it did not prevent my enjoying Miss Gould’s DANCE in the evening. The supper, music, and floor, were lovely, and a happy evening was spent by all the guests. Mrs Gould wore a handsome black gown, and her daughter eau-de-n.il and pink; Miss Neil was in white ; Mr and Mrs George Gould, Mr and Mrs Otterson, Mr and Mrs Ranald Macdonald. Misses Tabart. Malet, Cowlishaw, Wynn-Williams, etc., and Messrs Matthias, Rolleston, Lane. Palmer, etc., were among those present. On Thursday there were two pleasant little functions. Mrs Henry Cotterill gave a ladies’ luncheon, among her guests being Mrs and Miss Ronalds, Mrs and Miss Malet. Mrs Fereday, and Miss Macpherson. Misses Cotterrill and Nedwill. and Misses Wilson. Then in the afternoon there was a delightful CROQUET GATHERING at Riverlaw. Miss Murray-Aynsley wore white silk crepon and pretty picture hat; Miss Lizzie Aynsley. soft white muslin and sailor hat. The garden, always gay and pretty, was looking particularly bright, and dainty refreshments (tea-cakes, claret-cup, fruit, etc., spread on various tables about the lawn) added to the charm of the scene. There were many pretty dresses worn. Mrs H. Murray-Aynsley wore aholland coat and skirt, cream silk vest, black lace hat; Mrs W. P. Reeves, a neat covert-coating costume with boat-shaped hat; Mrs Lascelles, grey tweed with sailor hat; Mrs George Gould, elegant pale grey alpaca skirt and silk blouse, toque and tie of rose colour ; Miss Leach, pretty blue and brown costume, cape and hat en suite ; Miss A. Moorhouse, grey alpaca and steel trimming ; Miss G. Thomson, pretty pink washing froca ; Miss B. Campbell, vieux rose with lemon vest, black toque with poppies ; Miss Guy, handsome black silk and let with violets and violet velvet in her large picture hat: Misses Tabart, Misses Harley, Messrs Reeves. T. Gould, T. G. Thomson, Captain Greenstreet and many more guests were present, Miss L. Aynsley and Mrs Lascelles were the hostesses on Friday at the GIRLS’ BOATING CLUB. Among the visitors were Misses Wilson (Culverdin), Miss Neil (Dunedin), Miss Baker (Napier), and Miss Mickie (Melbourne). POLO on Saturday was particularley well attended. Mrs Arthur Rhodes gave tea, and the play was capital between the Ashburton and Christchurch teams. Mr and Mrs Alister Clark. Mr and Mrs Heaton Rhodes. Mr and Mrs Archer, Mrs and Misses Gerard. Mr and Miss Todhunt'r, Hon. Mr and Mrs Parker were among the players and spectators on the ground. On Tuesday another match was played, not quite so well attended, but much appreciated by the few enthusiasts who rolled up. The Ashburton team are practising hard for the Saville Cup Tournament at Palmerston North, for which they shortly leave. Next week there will be concerts and more tennis parties to t ell you about, that is, if this dreary rain ceases, which, judging from present appearances, it has not the slightest intention of doing. PERSONAL. Archdeacon and Mrs Thorpe have returned to Christchurch after a very pleasant stay in the Old Country. Mr and Mrs Henry Wood leave shortly for a winter trip to Sydney. Mrs Turrell has returned from the Convalescent Home much improved in health. Dr. Jennings, we are glad to hear, is now quite convalescent. Mr George Humphreys has returned from his trip to America, which he greatly enjoyed. Miss Philips (Melbourne) is the guest of her aunt. Mrs Embling, at Opawa. Mrs Guy Mannering has returned from the country looking much stronger for her stay in the mountains. Miss Wilson (Culverdin) is the guest of Miss Malet at Merivale, and her sister, Miss Kathleen Wilson, is staying with Miss Mrs John Baker and her daughter are staying at Okener with Mrs Neave prior to leaving for England shortly. Miss Neil (Dunedin) is the guest of Miss Gould, Colombo-street North. _ Dolly V ale