CHRISTCHURCH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XVIII, 31 October 1896, Page 566

CHRISTCHURCH.

Dear Bee. October 15. For any one not taking an interest in young people, more especially the budding athlete, there has been nothing to do and nowhere to go but bo sports day after day for a week. On Thursday the ANNUAL SPORTS in connection with Christ’s College were held in the College grounds. The weather was not conducive to the display of spring costumes, in fact, being quite wintry with some aggravating showers as well There was a great crowd of interested spectators notwithstanding, especially in the afternoon. The steeplechase caused much amusement, the boys taking the ‘water jump ’ in the most plucky fashion, though hardly one escaped without a good ducking. During the interval between the Old Boys’ Race and the presentation of the prizes. Mrs Bourne kindly provided afternoon tea for a number of those present. The tables were laid under the trees in the garden, add the appearance of tea was a welcome sight to those who had been standing about since early in the day watching the different events. Amongst the many I noticed Mr and Mrs Bonrne, the latter wearing dark bine, with vest and trimming of old-gold satin, bat to match ; Judge and Mrs Denniston, Bishop and Mrs Julius, Mesdames Moorhouse, Reeves, Malet, Vernon, the latter wearing fawncoloured cloth with revers of green silk ; Mrs Wilding, dark bine, with front of pale blue brocade ; Mesdames Wason (Corwar), Neave, Thomas, Meares, etc., the Misses Malet, in dark grey wiib toque ; Ovenden, in green with floral toque ; Elworthy, royal blue crepon ; Ainger, Cowlishaw, WynnWilliams, Harley, Hill, etc., the Messrs Reeves, Perry, Clarke, Turnbull, Elworthy, Collins, Cowlishaw, Drs. Moorhouse and Nedwill, and many others. In the evening the customary Old Boys’ re union was held at the College. On the evening of the same day Mrs Harman, at her residence. Windmill Road, gave a LARGE JUVENILE DANCE, when Miss Kathleen Harman was hostess pro tern. It was an exceedingly happy party. The College boys were represented in large numbers, so there was no lack of partners. On Friday WARWICK HOUSE SPORTS (Mr Charles Cook’s school) came off at Lancaster Park with an unusually large entrance list, and as the day was very bright there was an immense number of visitors. The prizes made a splendid display, and I am sure most have made the boys long to possess them, consisting of silver cups, match-boxes, knives, sleevelinks, sugar basins, cream jugs, toast rack, inkstands (single and double), and all

Cook looked well in a mourning costume, and in the interval for afternoon tea, whieb came about 3 p.m , was assisted by Misses Hardy-Johnston, Graham. Hargreaves, Berkeley. Lanauze, Williams, Winter, Martin, Ballantyne, and others. Among the many present were Dr. and Mrs Thomas, Mrs C. Matson, Mrs D. Matson, Mr and Mrs W. D. Meares and daughters, Mr and Mrs F. Waymouth, Mrs C. Reece, in a very pretty peacock-blue cloth coat and skirt with chine silk vest, large hat with flowers ; Mrs J. Walcot Wood, navy cloth dress with fawn collar and cuffs, hat with fashionable tulle ruche and cornflowerblue bows and yellow roses, fur boa; Mrs F. Graham, brown and red tweed with red velvet toby frill collar and cuffs, bonnet with red velvet, fur boa ; Mesdames W. Stringer, Trent, Gordon, Hargreaves, W. P. Townend, Berkeley, F. M. Wallace, Godfrey, W. Reece, Martin, Tonks. Wanklyn, J Deans, Symes, Louisson, Major and Mrs Taylor, the Misses Fairhurst, Webb, Hargreaves, Donald, Buchanan, etc. At the conclusion of the Old Boys* race Mrs C. Cook presented the prizes. On Friday evening Mrs G. G. Stead, *S trow an,’ gave a

LARGE DANCE for the juvenile friends of her little daughter, Noeline, who made a charming little hostess dressed in cream serge trimmed with gold braid ; Mrs Stead was gowned in black satin, the bodice trimmed with satin and jet. * Strowan ’ has every convenience for entertaining—a ball-room where dancing was kept up with great spirit till nearly 11 o’clock, the large diningroom with the beautifully garnished tables also proving very attractive. The Misses Babington, P. Harley, Harper, and many other young ladies and gentlemen enjoyed Mrs Stead’s hospitality. At the SPORTS at the Addington Show Grounds on Saturday there was only a moderate attendance, the gloomy day being partly answerable. Afternoon tea was provided for the visitors, but there seemed a lack of interest in the events. At the conclusion Mrs (Colonel) Gordon presented the prizes. 1 noticed among the spectators Mr G. Rhodes (Meadowbank), Mrs Baber and Miss Elworthy (Timarn), Mrs Pitman, Mrs Archer, Mrs H. Buchanan, Mr and Miss Kinsey and Miss Phillips, Misses Tabart, Lean, Crossley, Rutherford, Harman, Turell, Meares, Cotterill, Newton, and others. Yet another * sports * gathering on Monday at Lancaster Park, when the boys’ high school held its annual meeting. Glorious weather and a large crowd honoured the proceedings, which passed off very enjoyably, although the waits between the events were a little lengthy. Some of those present were Mrs Bevan-Brown, (who presented the prizes at the conclusion of the meeting), Mesdames Meares, Denniston, Guthrie, Bonrne, Louisson, Wood, etc., the Misses Meares, Julius, Kinsey, Bullock, Macgregor, Allan, Wynn-Williams, Wood, Hill, and men and boys innumerable. THE CHURCH MISSION FESTIVAL began on Sunday with selections from • Elijah ’ by Mr Wells’ Mottet Society in the Cathedral, assisted by friends, Mrs Burns, Miss Graham, Messrs Puschell, H. M. Reeves, and Millar taking the solos very effectively. On Monday evening a conversazione was

held in the Tuam-street Hall in connection with the same, when addresses were given by Bishop Julius and others, musical items by Mrs Burns, Mies C. Lingard, Miss Smith, Miss Julius. Miss Packer, Messrs Millar, Day, Key, Norris, and Bonnington. There was, as usual, a very numerous attendance, and refreshments were dispensed during the evening. On Tuesday a luncheon was held in the Art Gallery, Sir John Hall occupying the chair, supported by the B.shop and Mrs Julius. There were about 150 present, including many of the clergy and their wives, synodsmen, laymen, and others interested in ehurch work. The luncheon in the capable hands of Mr’ Freeman, and sweetened with the strains of Mr Painter’s orchestra, was all thatconld be desired. Many toasts were honoured and some interesting speechesmade. Synod opened at 4 p tn.,and the Bishop gave his address in the Cathedral in the evening, a note of sadness running through it all at the lamented death of Dr. Benson, news of which arrived that morning. Mr I. Gibbs, Merivale, had a DINNER PARTY for a few gentlemen friends on Wednesday evening, Mr S'.rickland (England), Messrs Bickerton, Fisher, Kinsey and Captain Bone being among the guests. The table decorations, which I had a glimpse of before the dinner, were lovely—flame-coloured rhododendron and white cherry-blossom, with tender sprays of willow.

Dolly Vale