CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVI, Issue XVII, 25 April 1896, Page 483

CHRISTCHURCH.

We have been very badly treated by the clerk of the weather, and the Easter holidays one looks forward to as the last spell before King Winter sets in were completely spoiled by incessant rain. We really have a grievance, because it is usually our best time of year as a rule, but I must leave the disagreeable subject, as I have much to say on pleasanter ones. On Good Friday the many out-door meetings were much damped, and a railway excursion to that pretty rendezvous—Otarama—sadly neglected. The sacred concert at night in the Tuam street Hall, given by the Dunedin Orchestral Society, was exceedingly good and much appreciated by those present, and who quite made up in enthusiasm for the coolness of the elements. Mrs Coombs (wife of the conductor) was presented with a lovely bouquet, and Mr Bonnington gave her also a silver vinaigrette as a souvenir of their visit. Madame Venosta’s fine singing was remembered by many here, and she met with a very hearty reception. Miss K. Blaney and Mr Jago, the other soloists, were also very successful. The second concert on Saturday evening was even better than the first, and the visit of the Dunedin Orchestral Society remains a pleasant memory to us, and I am sure they will return feeling Dunedin is not the only place termed ‘ very wet.’

Tennis occupied a great deal of attention on Saturday, the Cranmer Square courts presenting a lively appearance in the afternoon, though the ladies matches were put off till Monday. Dr. Nedwill, President of the Club, with the Misses Nedwill providel the afternoon tea, which was as ‘comforting and refreshing ’ as any Epps’ Cocoa or any other condiment could have been. Butone cannot be quite happy under mackintosh and umbrellaand prods and drips from your neighbour, however much of an enthusiast. I saw there Mesdames Denniston, Wilding, Wallace, Cooke, Harris, Burnes, W. Ollivier, R. Harman. Misses Lean, Westeura, Marchant. McNeil (Dunedin), Rattray (Dunedin). Mendelson (Temuka), Messrs Gore (three). Parker (champion), Woolridge, Holmes, Young and Laishley (Wellington), Messrs Borrow (champion), Hogg, Dalziel, Harraway, Newton, Ward, Fisher and Sise (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs H. Cotterill, Mr and Mrs Bruges, Misses Harman. Henry. Way, Cotterill and Ronalds. On Friday afternoon Mrs Hurst-Seager provided tea for the players during the practice, which was much appreciated T he more serious devoted their attension to church decorations, which was not altogether a pleasant task, everything being sodden with wet. but a very pretty effect was attained, the autumn tints and flowers lending themselves so well for this art. Easter Sunday was hopelessly and decidedly wet, and I am sorry for all the vicars. Monday was a slight improvement, and of course the Easter races at Riccarton were the greatest attraction, and considering the state of the ground and thermometer (somewhere towards freezing), the attendance, especially of the ladies, was wonderful. Amongst the many handsome gowns worn I can only give a meagre description, as in almost all cases some wrap was necessary. The colours are very sombre, only here and there a gleam of some bright colour showing up. This season the brightness is much toned down in almost all dress fabrics by the weaving, leaving a sprinkling of black in curly wool or crinkled crepon design. Mrs G. G. Stead, wore a dark green cloth, long seal coat, small green and pale blue bonnet: Mrs Heaton Rhodes, brown ribbed cloth costume trimmed with beaver, bronze toque with shot bows ; Mrs Alister Clarke, pale brown gown with yoke and other trimming in pale blue braided with black, hat to match; Mrs E D. O’Rorke. dark skirt, handsome sealskin jacket, black velvet picture hat: Mrs A. Rhodes looked well in a very long brown cloth coat with sable collar and cuffs, black toque with poppies; Mrs G. Rhodes, cornflower blue gown trimmed with black satin : she also wore a similar coat, black and gold toque ; Mrs E. C. J. Stevens, black serge fur trimmed, black bonnet with fur and cerise rosettes; Mrs P. Cunningham, brown and red

Buck* cloth costume, red vest braided in black, black and red bonnet; Mrs Denniston, brown cloth costume, bonnet with pink ospreys; Mrs Babington. fancy cloth, vest braided in gold, brown cloak, bonnet with turquoise blue velvet bows; Mrs Pitman, bright blue dress, fawn covert coat, brown hat with shot ribbon and quills; Mrs Peacock, royal blue gown and black Thibet fur, small black velvet toque ; Mrs Wharton (Amuri). black skirt, and blouse of Trilby velvet; Mrs J. D. Hall, dark grey Sown, brown cape, black hat with white wings ; Mrs G. Gould, rown check tweed and sable boa. brown felt hat and black quit.s ; Mrs Dalgety, brown dress, long sealskin coat, black toque with beaver pompons; Mrs P. Campbell, black costume, the toque relieved with green shot ribbons; Mrs Wilder, blue cloth costume, black velvet toque with bright pink rosettes ; Mrs C. Cook, tweed dress trimmed with beaver, black velvet toque with white quills; Mrs Bickerton Fisher, black crepon with chameleon velvet trimming, black picture hat ; Mrs J. Henderson, navy costume, bonnet with chine ribbon bow ; Mrs G. Roberts, black crepon. black astrachan eape lined with red, black and red bonnet; Mrs Harley, black fur-trimmed costume, bonnet relieved with pale blue; Mrs R. Macdonald, shot costume with Indian work bands, large brown hat with feathers and shot bows ; Mrs Otter* son. blue dress with gold and white vest, black velvet toque relieved with gold; Mrs Murray-Aynsley. black brocade, black and white bonnet; Mrs Owen Cox, black with black and gold hat: Misses Hardy-Johnstone, black dress with shot silk, black and red toque; Mrs Johnston (Dunedin), blue dress with very rich black velvet jacket trimmed with jet, black velvet and jet bonnet ; Mrs Wason, navy costume, blue and white striped vest, black velvet hat with feathers; Miss N. Reeves, blue cloth with paler silk trimming, hat to match; Misses Tabart (three). Way, Helmore. Cowlishaw, Graham, Malet. Henderson, Turner, Cuff. Todhunter, Harley (two), wore some of those present. The second day was a perfect one overhead, and tempted many out again. The Tennis Tournament was continued, and was much more enjoyable on Monday. Mrs Wilding, wearing a rough tweed and large black hat, provided the tea, which gave her and her assistants a very busy time. Among the visitors were Mrs P. Laurie, in a smart costume of dark green with touches of red, toque to match; Mrs H. Meares. dainty pink costume, white shoes and gloves; Mrs G. Kettlewell («?<■ Miss Molly Allan) looked well in navy and tan, lovely boa. and large hat; Mrs Morton Ollivier, grey crepon, pink silk vest, black hat; Misses Fulton, grey skirts and coats, and sailor hats ; Miss Meeson, navy serge tailor-made costume, black and white hat; Misses Macpherson, brown velvet skirts, tan capes, picture hats of black and white straw; Judge Denniston, Hon. Butler, Messrs Garrick, Harman. Gibbs, Wallace, Dr. Jennings, etc. The tennis ball at the Art Gallery in the evening was a most, spirited and enjoyable affair. Everyone came early and stayed late, extra after extra being added. In spite of a very slight majority of ladies present there was really no lack of partners, thanks to the energy and kindness of stewards and hostesses, and the many strangers present had a really good time. Good floor, capital music, and a dainty supper were provided, the table de corations being lovely—of pink cosmeas with their greenery, Mrs Walter Ollivier superintending this artistife arrangement, I believe. There were several debutantes—Miss Denie Acton-Adams, who looked very handsome in a lovely white satin and chiffon ; Miss Nina Townend, most dainty in a shimmering white silk with silk embroidery and chiffon sleeves; Mies Gerty Cholmondeley wore a charming soft white muslin with silk and tulle bftbe bodice; Mrs Arthur Rhodes wore an elegant black and white velvet with lovely white lace berthe: Mrs Denniston, black and old gold with jet on the bodice : Mrs P. Campbel), black satin and jet; Mrs Ranald Macdonald, ruby velvet and diamond ornaments; Mrs Bruges, black satin with inlet shoulder straps ; Mrs Jennings, yellow brocade and white lace; Mrs G. Humphreys, black and yellow; Mrs Walcot Wood, lovely eau-de-nil gown, the bodice finished with passementerie and chiffon, green wind flowers in her hair; Mrs Kettlewell, her lovely bridal gown of duchesse satin and lace, diamond ornaments; Mrs Harry Meares also looked charming in her wedding gown of duchesse satin and Brussels lace, the shoulder straps of delicate pink roses: Miss Gibson (Dunedin), pink and brown brocaded satin, the bodice of chiffon and passementerie; Miss Mendelson (Timaru), an elegant green brocade, the skirt and sleeves of this rich material, the square-cut chiffon bodice profusely trimmed with exquisite pearl embroidery ; her sister looked well in ivory silk with bebe bodice of chiffon; Miss Way, pretty pink gown ; Miss Wilson (Culverden), striking costume of maize with long angel sleeves; Miss Graham (Dunedin), chic black and white; Miss Henry, white lace and silk ; her sister, square-cut black satin and jet; Misses WynnWilliams, Nedwill, Irving, Fulton, Aynsley, Harper, and Allan all wore white ; Mrs C. Wood, Misses Harlev (two). Julius (two), Embling (Victoria) Meares. Thomas. Graham. Rattray (Dunedin), Cotterill. Ronalds, Malet, Harman, Cox, Phillips (Victoria), Moothouse, etc.